It’s no secret that Apple has had an often-tumultuous relationship with some of its App Store developers, but in recent weeks they’ve been making an effort to mend fences, which includes a new survey asking developers if they’re happy with the way things are being run.

TechCrunch has the scoop on the new survey being sent to iPhone Developer Program members following an often-rocky 2009 which even saw Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, Phil Schiller, stepping into the fray in an effort to diffuse some of the tension between Cupertino and their App Store developers.

The lengthy survey appears to cover a wide variety of topics, with a particular focus on the App Store review process and developers’ overall satisfaction with the program. (We’d love to be a fly on the wall when someone at Apple reads those responses!)

Among the questions asked:

Please rate your level of satisfaction with each of the following aspects of the Application submission process (using iTunes Connect).

Please rate your level of satisfaction with each of the following aspects of the application review process (using iTunes Connect).

Please rate your level of satisfaction with the length of time it takes to get updates available on the App Store.



It’s noteworthy to mention that at the beginning of the year, Apple seemed to put the App Store approval process into overdrive, with a ridiculous number of apps going from submission to available in record time. With the iPad coming in late March, there will surely be a new tidal wave of apps -- both new and updated -- so it would appear that Apple wants to work out any remaining bugs before the blessed day arrives.

(Images courtesy of TechCrunch)