Yesterday, Apple released a statement highlighting significant changes to their iOS Developer Program license, re-opening the platform to third-party development tools such as Adobe's tools for developing mobile apps based on Flash (Flash in the browser is still a no-go). Additionally, Apple posted their full App Store review guidelines.

Apple has been criticized for its ostensible inconsistency in approving apps in the past, so the company's latest move has already been touted as a positive step toward App Store review transparency. But why now? And what does this mean for Flash developers?

The change may be in reaction, at least in part, to Android's gaining market share. Android's rise is due, to a certain extent, to the openness of the platform and the Android Market. However, part of what makes the App Store so great is the review process itself, which guarantees to users a certain level of quality and UI consistency. By posting the exact review guidelines to developers, Apple has made a terrific compromise between the two models.

More: http://www.pcworld.com/article/205254/