Thanks for bringing "bunk" back into my vocabulary, it has been truly missed.
I was referring to developer apps. I will do some testing on apple apps like you mention.

http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/iphone/conceptual/iphoneosprogrammingguide/App-RelatedResources/App-RelatedResources.html

Your app must include at least one image to be displayed while your app is launching. The system displays this image to provide the user with immediate feedback that your app is launching. For information about launch images, see App Launch (Default) Images.