Apple pulls plug on 'Baby Shaker' iPhone app

Apple pulled an iPhone game called Baby Shaker from its iTunes store after its premise - quiet a crying baby with a vigorous shake - prompted outrage.

According to screen shots posted on several websites, Baby Shaker displayed black-and-white line drawings of a baby. The iTunes description included the line, "See how long you can endure his or her adorable cries before you just have to find a way to quiet the baby down!"

Once the iPhone owner finishes shaking the device, the on-screen baby is depicted with large red X's over its eyes.

Public outcry ensued, with organisations including the National Centre on Shaken Baby Syndrome and the Sarah Jane Brain Foundation condemning Apple for approving the game's sale.

The application was designed by Sikalosoft, which also makes a Dice Mosaic iPhone program that converts digital photos into black and white mosaics made from dice.

Sikalosoft did not respond to an email seeking comment, but Baby Shaker was deleted from its website yesterday afternoon, US time.

Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris said Baby Shaker went on sale Monday, and confirmed that Apple removed it Wednesday.