I have been trawling around the web reading news on iPad, games and the iTunes store. I've hit upon a particular article on Kotaku that I think it's worth mentioning: 
 
http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/04/why-did-apple-break-a-broken-system/ 
 
Before I get on with my rant, I want to first say that I don't approve of everything that Apple does. Furthermore, I think Brian Crecente, the author of the article is on the money with his concern. What I do have a problem with however, are some of the comments. "It's Apple! What do you expect?" To that I say, "educate yourself, fool."
 
People seem to be dissatisfied with Apple's control over Apps. Either that there's not enough control over the store; to the sentiments of, "Apple need to weed out shovelware crap", or Apple need to stop enforcing so much rules on the App approval process. It seems Apple is in a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation.
 
This is where I think commenters need to educate themselves before yelling out absurdities.

Apple enforces strict rules for stability (bug), objectionability (content) and iniquity (malware) but does not enforce the worthiness of a software. 

Consider the following hypothetical sentiments from Apple:

1. "Your application will be removed if it continues to have bad reviews."
2. "Your application will be removed because only 50 people bought your application."
3. "Your application is rejected because it is not fun."
4. "Your application is rejected because we think it's 'shovelware'."

Consider applying the same sentiments to the internet. Imagine if Google would apply this to their search engine. I shudder to think of the consequences if Google decides to rank sites based on their own subjective view of what's worthy.

Apple simply lets the market decide. Apple does provide mechanisms to encourage better quality apps to 'bubble' up, much like search rankings; criteria being "best in genre", "top 25" (most popular, highest rated, etc.) What Brian has pointed out in his article is that while he sees the reason behind Apple's decision to change how Apple showcases apps, the issue is that Apple has taken too much control (making it overtly simple) which sacrifices the ability to perform advanced/precision searches to find content. This is a legitimate concern an I hope Apple figures out a way to satisfy the need for a "at a glance" view of app showcases, yet provide the advance mechanisms for precision searching.

It's easy to criticise Apple for how they've handled the iTunes store so far, but we also need to consider that there is little precedence to what Apple is doing in terms of sheer magnitude. Game companies are still trying to figure out how to turn the iTunes app store into a profitable business. It certainly is possible right now, as there are a few runaway indie game success case studies (in to the millions); over time, the market will stabilise. The iTunes gold rush will settle and we should start seeing a par in app quality with a standardised pricing structure dictated by market forces. Until then, I would give a bit of slack (but still remain critical) to Apple and applaud them for ensuring my iPhone/iPad/Pod Touch is not filled with unstable, objectionable and malicious software.    

Thank you for your comment. I especially love it as it proves my point.

Winged CP? I could work with that...

 The problem with your little rant is that there are loads of instances where Apple has removed a program because it disagrees with it, not because it fits into any of the criteria you mentioned. If Google did that with Android, I'd throw a fit. I don't use Apple products, so I'm glad they have such a poor service.
 
Apple removes an app because the developer insults the app store;
 http://kotaku.com/5497459/apple-bans-game-days-after-developer-publicly-trashes-app-store
 
Apple bans "explicit" apps, but allows the Sports Illustrated app to stay because it's hugely popular;
 http://kotaku.com/5479836/itunes-application-explicit-option-comes-then-goes
 
Apple removes Widgets (for no reason, likely to sell their own):
 http://www.9to5mac.com/dashboard-apps-removed-apple-app-store-350396
 
Apple removes WiFi apps (again, for no reason:
 http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10464021-37.html
 
Apple removes Google Voice based apps from the store (God forbid they actually try to compete with Android):
 http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=4551
 
Official Google Voice app blocked as well:
 http://techcrunch.com/2009/07/27/apple-is-growing-rotten-to-the-core-and-its-likely-atts-fault/
 
These are just a handful of instances where apps were blocked because Apple disagreed with the makers, or put the interests of their carriers above that of their customers. So yes, anyone who knows tech replies to the constant Apple bullshit as "It's Apple.. What do you expect?". They're charging $900 for a $200 tablet.

I am a heavy Apple user, but I am suspicious of any first post that strongly supports or denigrates a product.

apple suck

" apple suck "

" @oldschool: I need to clarify that I don't strongly support a iTunes. I have my issues with it. My rant is about ignorant comments.  People argue that there's a lot of crap on iTunes; yet they also complain Apple take control over the store too much. You can't reasonably expect Apple to subjectively remove "shovelware" apps and at the same time cry foul that Apple has decided to take your favourite app away because you think the app is great but they think it's shovelware. To those, I say pick a side and stick with it.  My other point is to clarify that Apple's mission statement on iTunes app submission policy comes from trying to offer a positive user experience. As to whether or not they've achieved that is a secondary point. If your argument is that Apple has done a terrible job with screening apps (the really long review process for the GiantBomb app comes to mind) then that's a valid and informed opinion; but lets stick to better remarks than, "Apple suck".   (love it when comments serendipitously appear and enforces my point.) "

I find Apple overly-expensive as well as too controlling over their products. There are many features, on the iPhone for instance, which are present in many other phones which will probably be never present in the iPhone. 

" I find Apple overly-expensive as well as too controlling over their products. There are many features, on the iPhone for instance, which are present in many other phones which will probably be never present in the iPhone.  "

The size of the App Store as well as the wide variety of content make for some pretty divisive reactions. 
 
@Rolyatkcinmai said:

"  The problem with your little rant is that there are loads of instances where Apple has removed a program because it disagrees with it, not because it fits into any of the criteria you mentioned. If Google did that with Android, I'd throw a fit. I don't use Apple products, so I'm glad they have such a poor service.  "

My beef with the iTunes store is unrelated to the apps section. My beef is with music. I payed for a song right? Why do I have to pay again to redownload it? Why can't I just have a list of all the songs that I bought, and if I need to redownload it just do it? Maybe I've been spoiled by Steam, but I don't intend on paying for the same thing multiple times over.

Any walled garden is crap.  
 
I'd rather put up with Androids problems and get something more open.
 
And as for music, fuck that. I'll take my freely transferable mp3s from Amazon, kthx.

And as for music, fuck that. I'll take my freely transferable mp3s from Amazon, kthx. "

i hate apple anyway, i carry a zune and my main platform is ps3

" @neoepoch: If you make a request to Apple customer support, they'll sometimes let you re-download the music. Once the re-download is activated, they'll flag those purchased items as reimbursed. Not that it's comparable but iTunes music are now DRM-free (since early last year, if I recall correctly) while games on Steam aren't. "