State of the Apps: Mail App Slips Through, Rejection Re-Do's, Paying for Reviews, and NDA Over for 2.2!

First up, with the previous rejection of Gmail client MailWrangler, Engadget says another app which also dares to "duplicate features" found in a Dock App (Apple's own MobileMail) has actually been accepted into the App Store. Did BdEmailer slip through the cracks? Or is this a sign of inconsistency on Apple's part? Hot on the heels of the controversy surrounding Google's Advance Voice Search using non-public API's, developer confidence in the approval process might drop even further...
...Though Ars' own Erica Sadun reveals the story of one developer who, after initially having their App rejected by Apple, tried and tried again, and without making a single change to the app, had it approved the second time around. Embarrassing for Apple, if the policies really are that inconsistent.
Speaking of embarrassing, Wired reveals that one developer actually got Amazon's mechanical turk involved in paying for reviews. Users who get $4 -- $2 to "buy" the app, and $2 in bonus for leaving a 5-star review.
Lastly, Erica Sadun is back to remind us that, with the release of iPhone OS 2.2, the NDA is now lifted regarding that firmware, and the public dumping can begin! Any guesses as to what goodies will be found?
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Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.