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Apple takes neutral stance on iPhone apps

updated 11:40 am EDT, Tue September 11, 2007

Apple: iPhone apps alright


Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president of iPod marketing, is assuring independent coders that the company does not oppose the development of native applications for the iPhone. Instead, says Joswiak, Apple has adopted a neutral position. It will not attempt to deter development, or halt it with new firmware updates, but neither will the company provide any assistance, or take any action to fix updates that accidentally break third-party native apps. This position could change, but Joswiak notes that it would require a re-evaluation by Apple.

Challenged with the notion that most updates to Mac OS X do not break third-party software, Joswiak argues that Apple has more experience with Mac desktops than the iPhone platform, and that buyer expectations for the two technlogies is different. Mac owners demand that third-party software be ready for them, whereas the iPhone has always been limited in purpose.

Many native apps have already been created for the iPhone, less than three months after its debut. These range from AIM and IRC clients through to gaming software such as an Nintendo emulator.


by MacNN Staff

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  1. ClevelandAdv

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jul 2004

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    09/11, 11:45am | report spam | Reply |

    A little help..

    I appreciate the 'neutral' stance, and understand as a business decision it is a good one. Apple still could allow the developer community better access to the iPhone platform without formally endorsing or supporting it. This could only help iPhone sales.

  1. Glasspusher

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    Joined: Oct 2000

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    09/11, 11:47am | report spam | Reply |

    neutral isn't negative

    ...but I agree that I'd love to see an iPhone SDK with XCode. I'd be working with that from day one. Keeping my fingers crossed.

  1. climacs

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    Joined: Sep 2001

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    09/11, 11:58am | report spam | Reply |

    only makes sense

    hopefully over time Apple will adopt a more supportive position. Independently-developed apps can only help improve the popularity of the iPhone.

  1. scottnichol

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    Joined: Oct 1999

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    09/11, 12:52pm | report spam | Reply |

    official support

    i think if you wait until WWDC 2008, you'll see apple completely embracing iPhone native application support.

    i imagine that internally, getting everything to work reliably for launch was the number one priority. now that the code base is stable, the iPhone and Xcode teams will be spending a lot more time together.

  1. dynsight

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: May 2005

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    09/11, 01:27pm | report spam | Reply |

    Security Security Securit

    y :)

    You do realize that a SDK does open you up to a slew of programs, from bad/sloppy coders to malicious coders. By requiring App developers to make an extra effort, maybe Apple hopes to weed out the worst of the developers.

  1. marmotton

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jul 2004

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    09/11, 02:06pm | report spam | Reply |

    Apple could use the help

    The iPhone is still missing some key applications, such as simple database capability (similar to FileMaker Mobile for the Palm) or a password keeper application. Unless they open up the phone, none of these applications will be developed and some users will still prefer a Palm Treo phone

  1. Jonathan-Tanya

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    09/11, 03:24pm | report spam | Reply |

    what, are they tards?

    Is Apple a technology company? How they can be so blind...this is not even a question. Of course 3rd party apps will rule the day, and Apple is being somewhat moronic for not figuring it out, making money on it, and leading the charge in terms of quality. Neutral stance...dumfalks

  1. testudo

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2001

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    09/11, 04:34pm | report spam | Reply |

    re: security

    You do realize that a SDK does open you up to a slew of programs, from bad/sloppy coders to malicious coders. By requiring App developers to make an extra effort, maybe Apple hopes to weed out the worst of the developers.

    You do realize that not opening up the SDK, and forcing developers to basically grope around for solutions, is MORE likely to create security issues?

    And I thought OS X is this ultra-secure OS that doesn't have security issues. That's why no one runs virus software, right? Then why would the iphone have an issue?

    Of course, Apple could just be trying to figure out how they can charge people to install 3rd party apps, like their ringtone fee.

  1. MisterMe

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    Joined: May 2007

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    09/11, 05:56pm | report spam | Reply |

    testudo is right ...

    ... Developers will have to pay twice as much for the iPhone version of Xcode.

  1. Cf

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    Joined: Jan 2002

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    09/12, 07:01am | report spam | Reply |

    Skyscape

    Skyscape is advertising apps for the iPhone, which is a concern I had before the iPhone came out. Add ePocrates and doctors, residents, and student doctors will probably have what they need in the iPhone. I'm all for third party app development.

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