Local Australian developers Syncode have had some unfortunate news – the 1.1 update to their app iTweetReply has been rejected because it shares similar UI elements to the SMS app. I spoke with Matthew Lesh of Syncode regarding their latest encounter with Victor Wang.

My first feelings were worry, at first read – it appeared that they might have taken down the app altogether since what they are complaining about wasn’t new.

This isn’t the first bumpy ride Syncode have had with Victor and his cronies, and they generated considerable press when the app was initially rejected.  Was this simply an excuse to dick them around?  Asked if he believed that other applications which share a similar interface may be affected in future, and how he would feel should those apps be approved, Matthew stated:

I seriously don’t think many other people will be affected, and yes I’d personally be amazed if any other app wasn’t allowed. Unless they’ve suddenly taken a stomp on this (which is unlikely), I can see it purely being a matter of us being both SMS like in UI and in usability with push Twitter that taken us over the invisible line.

Either way, its a shame to see yet more examples of the App Store development process being applied inconsistently.  The good news to come out of this is that many of the planned features for 1.2 will now be submitted as part of the 1.1 release.

You can read Syncode’s response and more in their blog, or discuss this on our forums.  This will also be discussed by our crew in this week’s upcoming MacTalk Podcast.