"If we find that an application has a problem, for example, a software bug that crashes the application, we send the developer a note describing the reason why the application will not be approved as submitted," Apple said Friday in its letter to the FCC. "In many cases we are able to provide specific guidance about how the developer can fix the application. We also let them know they can contact the app review team or technical support, or they can write to us for further guidance."

Duerr took exception to Apple's description of the App Store's submission process. "The last line is an insult to our intelligence," he said.

When VoiceCentral was withdrawn from the App Store, Riverturn sent e-mails to Apple's developer technical support team, to its app review team, even to Steve Jobs, the company's CEO, and Philip Schiller, its head of worldwide product marketing, asking for more information about why VoiceCentral was removed, and for help in retooling it to meet Apple's requirements. "They never even acknowledged that they got the e-mails," Duerr contended.

"I just don't understand that mentality," he added. "What's the harm in saying, in layman's terms, 'This is what we think is wrong' with the application? We've never seen an e-mail like that. That leaves developers guessing. To me, that seems ridiculous."

Duerr also said Apple's reasoning for not approving Google Voice, and by association the reason why VoiceCentral and other applications were pulled, smacked of a lie at worst, dissembling at best.