Apple is relaxing the strict rules developers must follow to get apps accepted by the official iTunes App Store.The new guidelines will be used to review apps before they're approved for the store.
The easing is because of two things: there's the threat of an anti-trust investigation in the US and Apple sees it as a way of fighting off the increasingly popular Google Android smartphone operating system with its much-less-restrictive app store.
Apple tightened the rules earlier this year and effectively banned any apps not written with its own development tools. This particularly hit Adobe Flash which had invested heavily in producing tools for developers to write apps compatible with Apple products.
It doesn't mean however that your iPhone/iPad/iPod will now show Flash video on websites...Apple is still not supporting that....but the relaxation move will be warmly welcomed by developers.
Apple prides itself on writing its guidelines in clear, understandable language. The new rules also point out: "We don't need any more fart apps. If your app doesn't do something useful or provide some form of lasting entertainment, it may not be accepted".
Update: The rules relaxation has been welcomed by Apple's arch rival Google. Its Product Management Vice-President, Omar Hamoui says:
"Today, Apple updated their iPhone Developer Program License Agreement. Unlike the previous version, these new terms ensure that Apple’s developers have the choice of a variety of advertising solutions (including Google’s and AdMob’s) to earn money and fund their apps. Apple’s new terms will keep in-app advertising on the iPhone open to many different mobile ad competitors and enable advertising solutions that operate across a wide range of platforms."
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