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First native non-Apple iPhone app released

updated 05:20 pm EDT, Fri August 3, 2007

Native iPhone app released


Independent software developers have successfully created the very first full-fledged native iPhone application, complete with its own icon on the iPhone menu and a user-interface that is not powered by Web 2.0 technology. The application, called MobileTerminal, is terminal emulation software developed without an official Software Development Kit (SDK) from Apple. Google Code is hosting the application and so far Apple hasn't moved to take down the rogue software as it has with previous hacks involving its closely-guarded Mac OS X operating system. The lack of movement on Apple's part could signal a certain tolerance for true third-party application development, or may only prove to be an incubation period for forthcoming actions on the part of the Cupertino-based company.


by MacNN Staff

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  1. Glasspusher

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Oct 2000

    0
    08/03, 07:18pm | report spam | Reply |

    I hope

    I hope that in a few months these guys will be enjoying the benefits of a Cocoa SDK from Apple- and that I will too! please please please

  1. lockhartt

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Apr 2000

    0
    08/04, 12:59am | report spam | Reply |

    cool

    That app alone almost gives me the justification I need to purchase an iPhone... now if it just did Java applets (and AT&T coverage didn't completely suck in my area), I'd be good to go.

  1. Will C

    Mac Enthusiast

    Joined: Jan 2001

    0
    08/04, 10:13am | report spam | Reply |

    Question

    Can Apple legally restrict a user from installing 'non-approved' software on an iPhone and if so are they really like to take action against a user who does so?

    I can see that they may be able to stop someone hosting a downloadable app.

  1. LouZer

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 2000

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    08/05, 09:31am | report spam | Reply |

    Re: question

    Can Apple legally restrict a user from installing 'non-approved' software on an iPhone and if so are they really like to take action against a user who does so?

    Yes, through the license agreement you sign with AT&T, or the agreement that comes with the OS on the phone (they can, I haven't read the agreements, so I don't know if that language is in there).

    Also, they can 'restrict' it in the sense of either disabling it through another software update, or not allowing a software update to run because the phone has been changed. Or, they could make changes to the OS that causes the phone to act erratically with the software installed, thus telling people "See, that's why we don't want third-party software! It makes the phone unstable!" (regardless of stability claims continually made about OS X)

  1. jpellino

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Oct 1999

    0
    08/05, 10:15pm | report spam | Reply |

    somehow...

    I can't get that a TEP is going to be the killer app that drives masses to the iPhone nor that Apple is going to squash it because it steps on the toes of Terminal.app but it's a neat effort. Hope it stays and points the way for other things...

  1. Jonathan-Tanya

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Oct 2004

    0
    08/06, 01:54am | report spam | Reply |

    no they cannot

    A license agreement can state things that are non-sensical and unenforceable. Imagine an extreme case where the license agreement forced you to give up your rights to a fair trial, to free speech, to your very soul....such things would be nonsense.

    The license agreement cannot prevent you from installing your own apps either.

    Someone who claims it can needs to follow up such an outrageous and ludicrous supposition with something other than take their word for it.

    the can certainly not support it, and even disable it with software updates...that much is true.

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