Apple and the maker of the "Baby Shaker" iPhone app issued an apology Thursday for creating an app that was "greatly lacking in taste."

Apple and the maker of the "Baby Shaker" iPhone app issued an apology Thursday for creating an app that was "greatly lacking in taste."

"This application was deeply offensive and should not have been approved for distribution on the App Store," Apple said in a statement. "When we learned of this mistake, the app was removed immediately. We sincerely apologize for this mistake and thank our customers for bringing this to our attention."

"Yes, the Baby Shaker iPhone app was a bad idea," according to a note on the Web site for Sikalosoft, which created Baby Shaker. "You should never shake a baby! Even on an Apple iPhone Baby Shaking application."

Sikalosoft stressed that Apple approved its app, but acknowledged that it was in poor taste.

The app allows people with iPhones to download an image of a baby, which they then shake to death. It has since been pulled.

"There are currently over 30,000 iPhone applications out there. So, there are many other iPhone applications you could be better spending your time and money on," Sikalosoft continued.

The company then listed its top 10 list of alternative apps, including Stick Wars, Flight Control, and Pocket God.

The app's appearance in the App Store - which came on the heels of Apple's one billionth app download - drew fire from The Sarah Jane Brain Foundation, which helps children suffering from pediatric acquired brain injuries.

"As the father of a 3-year-old who was shaken by her baby nurse when she was only 5 days old, breaking 3 ribs, both collarbones and causing a severe brain injury, words cannot describe my reaction," Patrick Donohue, founder of the foundation, said yesterday.

Donahue sent an e-mail to Apple chief executive Steve Jobs and other Apple vice presidents with the same sentiments.