I have to vent again about Apple’s App Approval process. Apple sent another rejection email and I’m feeling a little frustrated. Actually, not a little, a lot. A few weeks ago, I submitted another version of Hi Jinx Pro to the App Store. This version included two new characters and a few other minor features. After a 9 day waiting period, Apple finally reviewed the app and sent the following rejection email along with a screen shot of the objectionable content:

Dear JDMdesign,

Thank you for submitting Hi Jinx Pro to the App Store. We’ve reviewed Hi Jinx Pro and determined that we cannot post this version of your iPhone application to the App Store because it contains objectionable content and is in violation of Section 3.3.12 from the iPhone SDK Agreement which states:

“Applications must not contain any obscene, pornographic, offensive or defamatory content or materials of any kind (text, graphics, images, photographs, etc.), or other content or materials that in Apple’s reasonable judgement may be found objectionable by iPhone or iPod touch users.”

If you believe that you can make the necessary changes so that Hi Jinx Pro does not violate the iPhone SDK Agreement we encourage you to do so and resubmit it for review.

Regards,
iPhone Developer Program

I replied with the following email:

App Reviewer,

Can you be a little more specific of what is objectionable content in the application? The screen shot that was sent has 16 sound clips on it, multiple images, and text. I have no idea what the objectionable content is.

The iPhone SDK Agreement states “Apple’s reasonable judgment” which means the agreement is subjective, so I need to know specifically want the objectionable content is, so it can be fixed/removed.

Please specify exactly what image, text, or sound clip is objectionable.

Thanks,
JDMdesign

I’m not really frustrated that the app was rejected. I’m just irritated with the reviewer. I mean come on. If you state that something is objectionable, state what you are objecting to. Don’t just send a picture and assume I know what is objectionable. I’m almost temped to just resubmit the app with no changes and see if another App Review is not offended and passes the app through. But, I’m sure Apple is keeping notes on each rejection and I would assume the next App Reviewer will take the time to read the previous reviewers notes, plus I don’t think I want to wait another 9 days for a rejection letter.

I’ve stared at the screen shot and tried to figure out what is the objectionable content. I can only come up with the following two issues:

• The top left button has text under it that reads, “No Bra”. Maybe this is objectionable because the user might think the sound clip has something to do with woman’s undergarment aka a bra, when it actually pertains to slang for bro aka brother. Maybe if I change the text to ready, “No Brah” or  “No Braw”, then there will be no confusion? The sound clip is “No Bro”, but the bro part sounds like bra.

• The other option would be the second button on the left side of the second row, which has the button quote as “Get Cheifed”. (This is actually misspelled and should be “Get Chiefed”). The sound clip is as followed: “I hope I don’t get chiefed again tonight.” This is the only real item that I can even think would be objectionable. The Urban Dictionary defined getting cheifed as “after a person passes out at a party, take[s] a marker pen and write[s] all over their face.” There could be a loose connection here with the meaning of the phrase that being chiefed is like being scalped by an Indian or by drawing on a persons face they are mimicking an Indian’s war paint. Either ways, it’s a loose connection.

• Is there something I’m not getting here. I don’t see anything else close that could be considered objectionable. If you see anything objectionable, please comment about it.

Either way, I’m just frustrated with the reviewer not specifically stating what the objectionable content is.

I also submitted a new version of the Hi Jinx Lite to Apple over three weeks ago and today, I got a confirmation from one of their reviewers that they are using one of the new features (user feedback form). The lite version does not have all the Kegger Keith sound clips in it. I have not recieved a rejection letter yet, but only time will tell. I believe what all this has taught me, is one thing. I need to find a way to push updates (new characters and sound clips) to the Hi Jinx app without the subjective App Reviewers approval. I’ll be waiting for the next rejection letter and in the meantime, be working on pushing my own updates to the Hi Jinx app.

UPDATE: Apple approved the Lite version yesterday (4/7/2009). It took 22 days for approval. Hi Jinx Pro was resubmitted yesterday with the buttons labeled at “No Bra” changed to “No Braw” and “Get Chiefed” chagned to “I Hope I”.