Apple rejects Twitter app for resembling SMS interface

Syncode, developers of the Push-enabled Twitter client iTweetReply, has revealed that the app’s first update—version 1.1—has been rejected by Apple due to its visual similarity to the iPhone’s built-in messaging app. According to a post on Syncode’s blog, Apple’s rejection email stated, “Thank you for submitting your application to the App Store. Unfortunately, your application, iTweetReply – Push Twitter Replies and Direct Messages, cannot be added to the App Store because its usage of the standard SMS UI elements may be confusing or misleading to iPhone users. Please redesign your application to look significantly different from the standard iPhone SMS built-in app.” The developer points out that this portion of the UI remains unchanged from the already available 1.0 release, and that a similar look is used by a number of other Twitter applications; iLounge has also seen several instant messaging applications with similar layouts. Syncode says it will soon be submitting an improved 1.1 release of iTweetReply, containing several features originally planned for later updates; it is unclear how the company plans to deal with Apple’s UI complaints.