Apple Inc. is apologizing for allowing a 99-cent iPhone game called "Baby Shaker" that let a player quiet a virtual crying infant by shaking the device.
Apple removed the program from the iPhone's App Store on Wednesday, but critics pressed for an apology Thursday.
Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris said Thursday that the game was "deeply offensive" and said it should not have been approved for sale.
"We sincerely apologize for this mistake," Kerris said in a statement.
Apple approves the programs that outside software developers make available in the store. "Baby Shaker" came from a company called Sikalosoft, which has not commented.
The game asked players to see how long they could endure a baby's cries and then shake the phone to stop the wailing.
