So, it appears that Apple has caved in to the criticism, further illustrating that their approval system is all kinds of messed up. All that aside, I'm just happy it's on it's way. [Twitter]

The app was rejected for risque content, which turned out to be "The Downward Spiral", a song that was available in the app, sort of, as part of a podcast. Trent's NSFW take:

You can buy The Downward Fucking Spiral on iTunes, but you can't allow an iPhone app that may have a song with a bad word somewhere in it. Geez, what if someone in the forum in our app says FUCK or CUNT? I suppose that also falls into indecent material. Hey Apple, I just got some SPAM about fucking hot asian teens THROUGH YOUR MAIL PROGRAM. I just saw two guys having explicit anal sex right there in Safari! On my iPhone!

A good point, and one that he elaborates on at length. But then, he quickly softens, and goes all TUAW on everyone:

Everyone - let me be clear. I love Apple products and as goofy and out-of-touch as their app approval process / policy is, I will still use them because they work 1000X better than the competition. This is not a debate, it's a fact. The iPhone is THE most elegant, modern smartphone at this point in time and it's perfect for what we want to do with the NIN app - except for the ludicrous approval process, and that's what I want to draw attention to. Android is cool, but nobody has an Android phone. Blackberry is OK but the hardware is inconsistent and WinMo straight-up sucks balls. If Apple doesn't get it together, we will most certainly make it available to the jailbreak community. I didn't invest in this app to see it languish on the sidelines from an idiotic policy while this tour is in full swing.

Surprise fanboyism aside, his points on censorship are solid: assuming the presence of other apps—Safari, Mail, Twitter, whatever—that provide access to uncensored material, banning one app that provides access to the same objectionable content is kind of pointless. [Trent Reznor via Crunchgear]

And just what was the bad, potty-mouthed content? Why, it was a reference to The Downward Spiral, hence the ridiculous references in the lead of this post.

That's about all we know for now, but sadly this is yet another example of the increasingly wonky Apple App Store approval/rejection process. Late last month, there was the infamous baby shaking app, which inexplicably managed to get through the approval process, before getting quickly pulled.

Perhaps that major gaffe has made Apple's trigger finger a bit more itchy as of late? Perhaps.

Update: Trent Reznor responded to this story with a little more detail in the official NIN forums. Be careful, kids, it gets a bit blue!

Now, "The Downward Spiral" the album is not available anywhere in the iPhone app. The song "The Downward Spiral" I believe is in a podcast that can be streamed to the app.

Thanks Apple for the clear description of the problem - as in, what do you want us to change to get past your stupid fucking standards?

And while we're at it, I'll voice the same issue I had with Wal-Mart years ago, which is a matter of consistency and hypocrisy. Wal-Mart went on a rampage years ago insisting all music they carry be censored of all profanity and "clean" versions be made for them to carry. Bands (including Nirvana) tripped over themselves editing out words, changing album art, etc to meet Wal-Mart's standards of decency - because Wal-Mart sells a lot of records. NIN refused, and you'll notice a pretty empty NIN section at any Wal-Mart. My reasoning was this: I can understand if you want the moral posturing of not having any "indecent" material for sale - but you could literally turn around 180 degrees from where the NIN record would be and purchase the film "Scarface" completely uncensored, or buy a copy of Grand Theft Auto where you can be rewarded for beating up prostitutes. How does that make sense?

You can buy The Downward Fucking Spiral on iTunes, but you can't allow an iPhone app that may have a song with a bad word somewhere in it. Geez, what if someone in the forum in our app says FUCK or CUNT? I suppose that also falls into indecent material. Hey Apple, I just got some SPAM about fucking hot asian teens THROUGH YOUR MAIL PROGRAM. I just saw two guys having explicit anal sex right there in Safari! On my iPhone!

Come on Apple, think your policies through and for fuck's sake get your app approval scenario together.

[Trent Reznor's Twitter via Slashdot]

Free
Ghosts I: The first nine tracks from the Ghosts I-IV collection as DRM-free MP3s, plus 40-page PDF.

$5
Ghosts I-IV: All 36 tracks in a variety of digital formats, plus a 40-page PDF.

$10
A double-disc set, packaged in a Digipak with a 16-page booklet, and immediate download of album. Ships April 8.

$75
Deluxe edition of Ghosts I-IV in a "hardcover fabric slipcase containing two audio CDs, one data DVD with all tracks in multi-track format, immediate download of album, and a Blu-Ray disc of Ghosts I-IV. Ships May 1.

$300
The "ultra-deluxe limited edition package" is basically the deluxe edition with immediate download, plus a four-LP set on 180-gram vinyl, packaged in a fabric slipcase. Two limited-edition Giclee prints are included; package is numbered and signed by Trent Reznor. Limited to a run of 2500, and one piece per customer. Ships May 1.
[Ghosts via Idolator]

While he kind of dodged the question in the famed interview he revealed he was a former OiNK member, this feels like a pointer toward where the release of the next NIN album is heading. I'd still prefer a physical CD, personally, but this kind of digital release I can get behind—the price and the format are right. The rest of the industry would do well to pay close attention to how this turns out—or not, and simply follow suit. [Niggy Tardust]