Yesterday, Apple released potentially one of the most interesting devices in computing history. The combination of mobility, relatively good power, rich OSX APIs, and multiple types of connectivity and sensors (phone, bluetooth, wifi, proximity, location, visual, audio, and orientation) could result in some truly spectacular new classes of applications. Unfortunately, it appears that they're making their most classic blunder once again: locking out third parties. We have the opportunity to make ourselves heard, and request that Apple open the iPhone to third party developers. The only avenue of communication Apple leaves open to developers is Radar, their bug tracking system.
Jonathan 'Wolf' Rentzch has filed an initial bug report on the topic, which he describes here. I strongly suggest that anyone interested in open application development on the iPhone (or being able to use third party applications on the iPhone) follow his lead and file additional requests at bugreport.apple.com (Please be polite though; ticket techs are people too!).
A sample bug report (filed by our own Augie Fackler) is below:
Summary:
You can't do any development for the iPhone.
Steps to Reproduce:
1. Write a cool app
2. Try to compile for iPhone
Expected Results:
A binary that should work in the spiffy iPhone.
Actual Results:
No way to compile for the iPhone exists, so no binary is produced
Regression:
None known.
Notes:
This is the same as Rentzsch's bug rdar://problem/4917169 to make your life easier when you flag this as a duplicate.
Do not post bugs or requests to the comments! Use Trac.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Comments:
But is this not counter-productive? Now Apple devs will have to go through bugs that aren't actually bugs and have less time to focus on real bugs.
I agree that it's a shame Apple decided to lock us out, but there must be a better way of voicing our discontent.
I agree that it's a shame Apple decided to lock us out, but there must be a better way of voicing our discontent.
# posted by 
: 5:26 PM
: 5:26 PM
I've seen this mentioned in two places now (if you include this blog) but not in any official Apple statements. Is there any hard evidence that this is the case? Are you just assuming that because Apple didn't release an update to their dev tools for the iPhone that it won't happen? Apple probably isn't ready to release a whole development kit yet. It would require a bunch of new tools like emulators, new documentation, etc..
# posted by : 5:48 PM
: 5:48 PM
maybe the reason for not allowing 3rd party access is just, that apple dont wants us to notice, that the shiny os x like gui belongs to an completely different operating system...
# posted by : 6:51 PM
: 6:51 PM
david: Care to link me? I searched when I originally saw this and still can't find any article that mentions it (not to mention an article from a credible source).
# posted by : 7:11 PM
: 7:11 PM
cdub: http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/macworld2007/gizmodo-iphone-hands-on-part-deux-why-isnt-it-white-and-other-questions-227575.php
Filed mine as rdar://4918416 - at the bottom, I said:
This report is a duplicate of rdar://problem/4917169 - voicing third party developer support for access to the iPhone for the group who could help ensure its success.
This report is a duplicate of rdar://problem/4917169 - voicing third party developer support for access to the iPhone for the group who could help ensure its success.
From the horse's mouth, Steve Jobs: no 3rd party apps on iPhone. http://blogs.zdnet.com/Burnette/?p=238
# posted by : 3:27 PM
: 3:27 PM
I also made a suggestion about this via RDAR. It's interesting to note that issues surrounding 3rd party apps on phone has been addressed in several ways. Qualcomm, the company I work for introduced BREW which uses comprehensive application review and signing to control which apps can be deployed to phones. The BREW platform also helps developers and the carrier collect their money and allows for trial and subscription periods. Apple could use a similar model. Another useful model to look at is the one that the game console guys use -- plenty of 3rd party development but only 1st party approval and deployment. Buy the app via iTunes (like the new games for iPod). They only make available what they approve of and want to sell. It's not ideal and as open as I'd like but would give us 3rd party guys a crack at putting some great stuff on the iPhone IMHO.
# posted by : 4:54 PM
: 4:54 PM
I think it was a nice move for apple to come out with the apple iPhone. The iPhone has most features consumers have been waiting to have. I also think the price will not deter people from buying the Apple iPhone. I even think they will sell more then the 10 million Apple iPhones they expect to sell within the next year. Did you happen to see the
iPhone demo video they can't go wrong.
iPhone demo video they can't go wrong.
# posted by : 3:26 AM
: 3:26 AM
Apple have done this for a reason, it's not an oversight. Whether we agree or not is rather beside the point; they will have known the reaction to this when they made the decision.
So, this can't be a good idea - it'll just gum up a functional system with barely relevant feedback on what is in all likelihood a done-and-dusted decision.
Anyway, one of the interviews I read with Steve or Phil suggested that the phone was closed 'for now', and that they might possibly allow an iTunes-driven software distribution model in the future. Read: no crappy software, development probably by invitation only, you'll likely have to pay.
Post a Comment
So, this can't be a good idea - it'll just gum up a functional system with barely relevant feedback on what is in all likelihood a done-and-dusted decision.
Anyway, one of the interviews I read with Steve or Phil suggested that the phone was closed 'for now', and that they might possibly allow an iTunes-driven software distribution model in the future. Read: no crappy software, development probably by invitation only, you'll likely have to pay.
# posted by : 10:07 AM
: 10:07 AM
