Apple recently promised to keep their store in order. With that promise, the GREAT PURGE has begun.
To keep APPs alive on the App Store, developers now must submit an updated version for review within 30 days. After the 30 days have passed, Apple will remove any outdated apps from the store.
Certainly this is going to show many more updates in your iOS device and create more use of users DATA PLAN if your using your carriers data coverage for updates. This move however will force developers to use the latest up to date code to develop their products.
Any removed apps will continue to function, for the users that have downloaded them until you remove them from your device. Apps that have been removed from the store can be re-downloaded from iCloud or your iTunes back up. However you will NOT find that app in the store for purchase.
Apple let developers know September 1 that this process would begin to occur on September 7 and would begin the purge at this point. The desire to remove zombie applications, apps that have been abandoned and one’s that no longer function is the goal.
If your a developer please also take note, no names longer than 50 characters. The long names were used to attempt to influence App store results.
More details regarding Apples App Store improvements can be found here. The App store Review process and Guidelines can be found here.