REVENGE Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 Apple's Steve Jobs has made it clear in an interview with the New York Times that Apple and its partners will be the sole architects of every aspect of the device's applications, "from ringtones to word processors" as the Times put it. Jobs declared: “We define everything that is on the phone. You don’t want your phone to be like a PC. The last thing you want is to have loaded three apps on your phone and then you go to make a call and it doesn’t work anymore. These are more like iPods than they are like computers.” So what is the mentality behind this puzzling decision? Well supposedly, it is for "quality assurance" purposes designed to ensure your iPhone works properly without interference from all those untrustworthy third party developers out there. Of course, as Jobs reiterated: “That doesn’t mean there’s not going to be software to buy that you can load on them coming from us. It doesn’t mean we have to write it all, but it means it has to be more of a controlled environment.” Control, that is the key, and the question is, to what extent does Jobs think he can control our digital lifestyle before consumers reject his close-minded vision of what people's digital experience should be? Not that I'm suggesting anyone jump to immediate conclusions before the product has even been released on the market, but as the Times observed, this carries a certain resemblance to the Jobs vision of the Mac back in 1984, which turned out to be unsuccessful to say the least... Overall this past week, admist all the initial wonder and excitement created by the sweet news of the iPhone announcement, the fine print and complications which have subsequently come to light leave a bitter aftertaste in the mouths of would-be consumers. Aside from the device's hefty price tag, the iron chain binding it to Cingular's clasp, and the exasperating name dispute between Apple and Cisco-Linksys, this unexpected new restriction could develop into the restraint that cripples what seems like a nearly limitless platform. Fortunately, there is still the comforting possibility of hacking the device and porting Linux to it, though I suspect that the user experience would certainly be a far cry from the elegantly designed OS X derivative the iPhone will officially run. Software designer and friend of Steve Jobs Michael Hawley says “Apple is in a unique position to build a winning personal device that really fulfills the missing promise here." The biggest question is not if Apple is capable of fullfilling that missing promise, but of whether or not they've realized what that missing promise should embody... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
other Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 They didn't say they were going to be the dole architects, just they were going to moderate the content allowed on the device. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ampTK Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 (edited) They didn't say they were going to be the dole architects, just they were going to moderate the content allowed on the device. I hope this comes true, and that the moderation isn't too extreme. Something on the lines of: anyone can build apps but apple has to screen them and give it a green light. Instead of the iPod games which are: We come to you if we want something from you, and we say what gets made and what doesn't. or worse. I prefer it to be a completely open platform like the Treo but I seriously doubt it will be like that. I can see some reasons why Apple would want some control over the applications. For me this control it's a given, at least in the beginning. The best balanced approach to this is to let anyone develop for it, with the necessary guidelines, and show in iTunes or wherever the apps that Apple approves, but let advanced users install whatever they want at their own risk, (The installing could be done via terminal commands so there is a technical barrier, and not only a warning or something like that) Edited January 14, 2007 by andazp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbz Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 I think it's great, both for developers and Apple. The only problem is for "homebrew" stuff, for which there will certainly be some kind of hack, eventually. What this really sounds like, is that Apple is the publisher, and other developers can create the software. It's a great system: developers can create great software, and then they bring it to Apple. What's nice is Apple will certainly help improve the code (they'll have teams, I'm sure, dedicated to stuff like that), then they'll make sure it's worthy/improve it so that it works perfectly with the iPhone, and then it's released. Apple is doing this to keep the good quality they are known for. And let it be said that if another dev can create the same quality app, it will probably be a no brainer for Apple to release the product. It'll be like iPod games: some are straight from Apple, others are from EA and Apple made sure they were the right quality for their iPod. It's very close to a perfect system for consumers: if something is craved (a certain app), SOMEONE will develop it (Apple or other party) and faced with an opportunity to enhance their product, Apple will use another company's code and certify it, or make their own. Like I said, the only ones who could lose are the little devs that code from home, like college students, but eventually there will be a way to get their stuff on there. -Urby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REVENGE Posted January 13, 2007 Author Share Posted January 13, 2007 If it is in fact, developers developing software and then getting it, lets say, CERTIFIED by Apple to run on their hardware, then I agree, this plan sounds pretty good. In my opinion, there is MORE to this than just Apple wanting to perform quality control on the apps that go on this phone. Depending on how well Jobs thinks this device will perform on the market, this might just be another excuse for charging would-be developers ridiculous royalties or liscensing fees for developing apps on the platform. As he said so himself, he doesn't want this to turn into a device with "computing" powers, he wants it to stay a "phone", and this is where I think he's going wrong. This device is not the greatest combination of a media player and cell phone, mainly due to its meager storage and lack of expandibility. However, it has tremendous potential in taking the smartphone/pda market by storm, where this device has a never before seen combination of features that fit the bill. As I said, it is too early to determine how Jobs will moderate what goes onto this platform, but I hope that when the iPhone is released, he'll try to steer its development in the right direction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forky Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 The reason to why i do not like this is because i bet apple will sell you apps instead os making them avaiable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xiberia Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 yeah Forky, and there lies the crunch. "Apple will sell you apps..." says it all. You pay $lots of the phone, but if you want it to do something else you have to shell out for that too. I think this is a bad move, at least from a European perspective where Nokia Symbian etc are kings. People expect a phone, yeah, but they also expect to be able to install whatever they like on it (within the framework). People will buy the iPhone for the coolness factor... then, when it comes time to upgrade, I bet they'll go to the next big LG or Samsung or something, out of sheer frustration. Just my 2c. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forky Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 I am European too. I love to try apps Install remove install again. i see that i won't be able to do that with the phone. But i i am wrong then all right for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Takuro Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 We all know Apple's real motive for disallowing third-party apps is due to their recent tight relationship with Cingular. The last thing they want is for somebody to develop an app that could make VIOP calls like current Skype phones do. People would be making calls at airports, cafes, malls, and the countless other places that have public WiFi, saving tons of money by using the internet to place calls as opposed to running up their cellphone minutes. It's unpreventable that eventually somebody will hack the iPhone to allow VOIP capabilities and other things, but as a consequence, they'd also lose the beautiful iPhone GUI. It's just like what happened to 5th gen iPods. Either stick with what Apple gave you, or install an ugly Linux hack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBK.Xscape Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 i have a feeling that the apps will end up on a torrent so if people are worried about money then there will always be a way to get something for free, especially software. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clicks Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 Mr. Jobs is wrong, the last things I really want are companies telling me what I want. I definitely want to mod, customize my devices like the way I want to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Takuro Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 i have a feeling that the apps will end up on a torrent so if people are worried about money then there will always be a way to get something for free, especially software. We're still waiting for the iPod games to be released without DRM. Easier said than done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kernalzero Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 I think it's a bad business decision but i'm sure they will sell millions regardless. If I can't use this device to replace my PDA and the medical programs I use on it then there's no point for me to buy an iphone. (I know i'm coming from a very selective market with medical technology and that this device will do very well in the corporate world) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forky Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 We all know Apple's real motive for disallowing third-party apps is due to their recent tight relationship with Cingular. The last thing they want is for somebody to develop an app that could make VIOP calls like current Skype phones do. People would be making calls at airports, cafes, malls, and the countless other places that have public WiFi, saving tons of money by using the internet to place calls as opposed to running up their cellphone minutes. It's unpreventable that eventually somebody will hack the iPhone to allow VOIP capabilities and other things, but as a consequence, they'd also lose the beautiful iPhone GUI. It's just like what happened to 5th gen iPods. Either stick with what Apple gave you, or install an ugly Linux hack. What is Apple or Cingular going to do when the phone gets to Europe? There is no such thing as cingular here, and I somehow doubt that Apple will not partner up with more than one service provider in Europe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeezoflip Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 Um, if im gonna spend $500 on a cell phone, i want it to make phone calls. So im not gonna install apps on there that may screw it up. I agree with jobs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeezoflip Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 What is Apple or Cingular going to do when the phone gets to Europe? There is no such thing as cingular here, and I somehow doubt that Apple will not partner up with more than one service provider in Europe Jobs said in his keynote that Cingular will be the main provider for U.S. He did not say they would be for europe or asia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bofors Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 We all know Apple's real motive for disallowing third-party apps is due to their recent tight relationship with Cingular. I don't think it is that simple, the iPod is not an open platform either and we know that has nothing to do with Cingular. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bofors Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 So im not gonna install apps on there that may screw it up. I agree with jobs. This is {censored}, it is like saying you need to close Macs to third party development because apps might stop you from sending email. See this: http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2007/1/12/6597 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bofors Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 I think it's a bad business decision but i'm sure they will sell millions regardless. If I can't use this device to replace my PDA and the medical programs I use on it then there's no point for me to buy an iphone. (I know i'm coming from a very selective market with medical technology and that this device will do very well in the corporate world) Apple can always open up the iPhone later, but closing it after it is open is impossible. This is a good business decision (that I do not particularly like) for now. Apple may well very let select companies develop apps for the iPhone, much like how video games are developed for consoles (where it is not a free-for-all). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forky Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 Yeah, like im going to spend 500 $ on a iPhone so just that i can phone, dude dont you think i can get a better deal if i want a phone for just phoning? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milesce Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 I don't want just a phone. I want a handheld pc that also phones. I want to be able to hack it, use ssh and terminal services to run my network from the beach, and install crossover so I can play half-life. I get it as a business decision, but customizing is half the fun, and the ability to run cross platform is the reason I bought a mac in the first place. If I want to spend $500 on a phone, I want to to be able to hack away at it, and then when I break it (which of course I will), reload it from scratch. Will wait and see. Just recently bought a treo, so I won't be able to think about a new phone for at least a year anyway. Hopefully by then someone will have figured out how to hack it open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aberracus Posted January 14, 2007 Share Posted January 14, 2007 If you want a mini phone computer go for a treo or a winmobile 5 phone, im just selling mines, they are {censored}, and downloaded apps are nearly everyone {censored}, and everything hangs at least one a day, in some cases in middle of an important call. i dont want homebrew apps. i want perfection. im going with iPhone lets see if i can find a very usable phone there. BTW i hope i can get an ebook reader... thats for me the only missing thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milesce Posted January 14, 2007 Share Posted January 14, 2007 You are correct. Used to have a SX-56 (Tmobile Pocketpc) which I loaded custom roms on. It was a pain in the ass, but hacking on it was fun. I suspect the iphone will be my next one -- open or not -- but the key for me is being able to load ssh, vnc or remote desktop, which I used on my treo on a daily basis. But I have to recognize that I don't qualify as a normal user. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest goodtime Posted January 14, 2007 Share Posted January 14, 2007 (edited) Let's have a phone that runs OSX and not have a an open third party development. Why call it the iPhone then? What not call it the Crippled iAppliance that could of been great. I still want to get one because I would like a cool video player that's not from the existing iPod line, but I would of loved a third party IRC Chat program on the phone or the ability to run my own AppleScript Studio apps for features that the phone won't include out of the box. Looks like it will be like the other cell phones and you have to pay through the nose for every little feature like making a call or jotting down a note on the phone. Steve Jobs does not show any confidence in third party developers. This could really cause a backlash in even the Macintosh community. Why should we slave away writing Apps for the Mac then if Steve thinks the computer might now work after that? Steve get a clue! You are really starting to look like an -ss. Why did you tell use it would run OSX? No developer tools? No XCode for the iPhone? Man this does sounds like a 1984 Mac all over again. I will try to reserve anymore judement until I get to test drive one in my hands. gt Edited January 14, 2007 by goodtime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
intrax Posted January 14, 2007 Share Posted January 14, 2007 In Steve's mind nothing has changed since 1984. Apple has always made money by selling hardware platforms only Apple controls. No difference this time around. The good thing is, that this control results in working devices and in the case of a phone that is certainly an advantage, moreover this strategy will also reel in huge $$$ once Apple has made the sale. The bad thing is that Jobs doesn't appreciate that digital geek users, which by definition would be the early adopters of a device like the IPhone want to be able to tweak their devices to their own needs and be able to tinker and program around on it and Jobs doesn't think that is in his and Apple's best interest. But more and more users are like that so here is only one solution appropriate ----> InsanelyIPhone ---> and run some linux (bsd) os on it. No this could prove to be a major showstopper for the IPhone... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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