Seriously (though I do think many developers raise valid criticisms and that the gatekeeper model of app development is unsustainable). "Open letter to Apple" yields >25,000 results in Google...I'm tempted to collect a bunch of them into a book, I figure they'd all buy a copy to see if theirs was included.

I bet they'd each buy two copies: one for themselves to see if theirs was included, and one to send to Apple.

If it's unsustainable then let it unsustain itself. Voice your criticism and leave, but don't complain and ask for more. I think that's the attitude people should be taking.

Well, I've got no dog in this fight - I only program for nowadays, and not on the iPhone. It's just that the app store reminds me of the early 80s when software for home computers came on plug-in cartridges (and required the thumbs-up of the manufacturer).

Good idea. Send it to Steve Jobs, though I doubt he would read it.

He'd respond with something like

  Your app was rejected, it's not that big a deal.

  Steve

  Sent from my iPhone.

I think we've found a new economic perpetuum mobile...I'll just monetize it with adwords and I'll never have to work again.

You should dump her.