Apple debuts Web-apps directory for iPhone
updated 03:55 pm EDT, Thu October 11, 2007
Web-apps list for iPhone
Apple today officially launched its Web-apps for iPhone website, after much anticipation earlier this week. Apple's site, modeled after its own software download site, lists over 200 third-party Web-based applications optimized and available for Apple's popular device, providing a description, company name information (name/URL) and date added. Previously, the company posted a Web-app development guide to help developers optimize and tune their Web applications. While users, developers, and companies have been clamoring over native application, the Cupertino-based company will reportedly focus on Web-based applications for the near future; however, new rumors indicate that the company may be preparing a broader-based native application strategy that would require certification.
Apple has categorized the listing by Most Recent, Most Popular, Alphabetical and Staff Picks. Currently, the most popular programs are the Facebook app, Bejeweled, Sudoku, and a Twitter app called Hahlo.
Despite the lack of current support of native third-party applications by Apple, the iPhone hacking community developed a way to modify and easily install third-party native applications on the iPhone; however, Apple's most recent v1.1.1 firmware update disabled all previous hacks for third-party application support (as well as "bricked" most--but not all--unlocked phones, as Apple had warned) and make the filesystem much more secure.
Only in the last few days, have hackers been able to "jailbreak" iPhones running the latest v1.1.1 firmware to allow users to re-install (updated) native applications as well as hackers to continue selling their unlock applications.
Apple execs previously said Apple would take a neutral stance on native application by third-parties, but its most recent app-disabling firmware update, new checksum file system security, and recent statements by hackers indicate otherwise.
ridiculous
10/11, 04:06pm reply
Works only when you are on wifi? (for the iPod)
When I'm on wifi, I'm at home and can use my mac.
I want downloadable apps
Ikon
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2005
My App
10/11, 04:15pm reply
My app is listed in apple's directory. It is a directory of restaurant menus. It is only available in web form, so for apps like mine, allowing native apps wouldn't matter. Its just a mobile-friendly version of my existing web page.
l008com
Professional Poster
Joined: Jan 2000
better yet
10/11, 06:22pm reply
its good to see apple showing *some* support for its users finally I've been using http://www.appsafari.com to stay up to date with new apps
fingers
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2007
Patience is a virtue
10/11, 06:22pm reply
I'm sure Apple will offer the opportunity for third-party apps sometime in the next 6 months. They have to make sure all of the security issues are addressed so your conversations with your ex-spouse about child vistitation don't end up on YouTube. Just ask Alec Baldwin how embarrassing that can be...
cebritt
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2000
What a joke
10/11, 08:14pm reply
If Palm and RIM comes out with a slick Smartphone with a great UI and hardware, bye bye iPhone. I'll sell mine to some m******** Apple fanboy and I can replace this with something way better from RIM or Palm in 2008.
SLURPY
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2007
Re: paitence
10/11, 10:08pm reply
I'm sure Apple will offer the opportunity for third-party apps sometime in the next 6 months. They have to make sure all of the security issues are addressed so your conversations with your ex-spouse about child vistitation don't end up on YouTube. Just ask Alec Baldwin how embarrassing that can be...
umm, alec's conversation was released by the ex-wife, not through some security glitch.
And are you saying theirs problems with the phone now that'll do the above?
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
re: slurpy
10/12, 08:34am reply
LOL, Palm and RIM had the same interface for many years, they are not about to change. What's on the iPhone now they won't be able to imititate for years.
dliup
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2006
fanboy
10/12, 08:44am reply
"I'll sell mine to some m******** Apple fanboy and I can replace this..."
sounds like you have one slurp ol boy. what would that make you? sounds like one of the first purchasers. so what part of the above aren't you? m********? fanboy?
nat
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
has anybody...
10/12, 09:12am reply
bothered noticing that this new Web Apps page is kind of buried ?
There is no mention on the Dowloads Page anywhere_
And you have to squint to find it on the iPhone or iPod Touch pages_
Kind of lame_
UberFu
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2002
Fugly
10/12, 01:25pm reply
These are web based apps so they SHOULD work on a desktop. I tried the weather channel one, it said it wouldn't run because I wasn't using Safari... except I got that message IN Safari... which I very much WAS using.
paulc
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2000