Apple to Announce 3rd Party iPhone App Development?
Tidbits's Glenn Fleishman claims that he has heard from a number of sources that Apple is nearing an announcement "of some sort" regarding 3rd party application development on the iPhone.
Details are unknown but the announcement is expected "soon" and perhaps as early as this week.
This news comes after a number of conflicting reports about Apple's plans for future iPhone application development. At the heart of the issue is a lack of an official developer's kit for the iPhone. Instead, Apple has advocated the use of Web-based "applications" based on Javascript. These Web-applications are very limited, however, and require the user to be internet-connected during their use.
Despite Apple's stance, an active (though unofficial) iPhone development community had sprung up and deployed a number of native applications for the iPhone. The latest 1.1.1 iPhone update, however, closed the door to these unofficial applications.
A recent a report from 9to5 suggested that Apple was planning on allowing certain 3rd party developers to launch native applications for the iPhone, but in a very restricted manner. Meanwhile, Arstechnica's sources have claimed that Apple intends to keep 3rd Party iPhone application development Web-based, but is planning on introducing significant improvements, such as off-line execution, and tighter integration to iPhone functionality. It's possible that the expected announcements could be related to these improvements.
Another possibility is that this announcement could simply be related to an expected iPhone WebApp Directory that Apple appears to be compiling on their site.
Details are unknown but the announcement is expected "soon" and perhaps as early as this week.
The bits and pieces I've heard are maddeningly non-specific: I don't know, for instance, whether a full software developer's kit (SDK) will be released; what tier of Apple Developer Connection (ADC) program member you need to be (if any); and how much of the innards would be unleashed. I don't even know whether Apple is announcing that a program is coming, or the program itself.
This news comes after a number of conflicting reports about Apple's plans for future iPhone application development. At the heart of the issue is a lack of an official developer's kit for the iPhone. Instead, Apple has advocated the use of Web-based "applications" based on Javascript. These Web-applications are very limited, however, and require the user to be internet-connected during their use.
Despite Apple's stance, an active (though unofficial) iPhone development community had sprung up and deployed a number of native applications for the iPhone. The latest 1.1.1 iPhone update, however, closed the door to these unofficial applications.
A recent a report from 9to5 suggested that Apple was planning on allowing certain 3rd party developers to launch native applications for the iPhone, but in a very restricted manner. Meanwhile, Arstechnica's sources have claimed that Apple intends to keep 3rd Party iPhone application development Web-based, but is planning on introducing significant improvements, such as off-line execution, and tighter integration to iPhone functionality. It's possible that the expected announcements could be related to these improvements.
Another possibility is that this announcement could simply be related to an expected iPhone WebApp Directory that Apple appears to be compiling on their site.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
57 months ago
So all that is really known is nothing, but there may be an announcement coming soon?
I would love some 3rd party apps, even if they have to be Apple approved. I think there is a lot of cool stuff that could be brought to iPhone and if I can use them and still have no possibility of my warranty being voided, great. I wouldn't be surprised if Apple announced something just to distract people from the fact that Leopard still has no official release date and we are 10 days into October. Either way, I am all for some sort of iPhone related announcement from Apple.
I would love some 3rd party apps, even if they have to be Apple approved. I think there is a lot of cool stuff that could be brought to iPhone and if I can use them and still have no possibility of my warranty being voided, great. I wouldn't be surprised if Apple announced something just to distract people from the fact that Leopard still has no official release date and we are 10 days into October. Either way, I am all for some sort of iPhone related announcement from Apple.
57 months ago
I reckon it will happen eventually, with a initial limited availability of third party apps, as more of a trial, before they open the doors further and further.
As much as Steve Jobs is set in his ways, he's not blind to the complaints from many customers over this issue I'm sure, and something will eventually see the light of day.
It's a rumour and this is a rumour site, what do you expect :p
As much as Steve Jobs is set in his ways, he's not blind to the complaints from many customers over this issue I'm sure, and something will eventually see the light of day.
So all that is really known is nothing, but there may be an announcement coming soon?
It's a rumour and this is a rumour site, what do you expect :p
57 months ago
I don't see how the iPhone can truly succeed in the long term unless Apple opens up development, at least in a limited way.
57 months ago
9to5 mac thinks 3rd party app. development is coming?
that's good enough for me.
why?
I'll tell you why.
because the fatty is real.:apple:
i don't know why they don't just use that as their site tagline.
"9to5 Mac: Because the fatty was real."
(i do see reasons not to use this tagline... before someone misses the joke)
on a serious note, though. I am ALL for this, even if it means there's a cost involved. Here's some reasons.
a) i don't want to risk bricking my phone. regardless of the legality of it.
b) i'm tired of fighting what is sometimes sub-par wifi service just to use an app or two.
c) i'll feel a lot safer using apps if they get the apple thumbs up.
that's good enough for me.
why?
I'll tell you why.
because the fatty is real.:apple:
i don't know why they don't just use that as their site tagline.
"9to5 Mac: Because the fatty was real."
(i do see reasons not to use this tagline... before someone misses the joke)
on a serious note, though. I am ALL for this, even if it means there's a cost involved. Here's some reasons.
a) i don't want to risk bricking my phone. regardless of the legality of it.
b) i'm tired of fighting what is sometimes sub-par wifi service just to use an app or two.
c) i'll feel a lot safer using apps if they get the apple thumbs up.
57 months ago
They are also going to be releasing the G5 PB...oh, and the existence of unicorns. :rolleyes:
People say a lot of things about what Apple is doing. But only Apples knows. What I want to know is how soon can it really be expected. I mean, their most recent update has been hacked already so whats stopping SJ from standing there going "One more thing" and then venting his frustration about people ruining what he and his engineers have made. The only solution for everyone is for Apple to actually say that they are going to be releasing the availability of 3rd party apps. It stops people from hacking the iPhone and it keeps Apple happy with SJ's micro-management ways. But all that goes down the poop chute if Apple plans on charging for them.
So, second solution: Make a iPhone Application Upload program download able from Apples download section of their website (Or even what would most likely happen is a addition to the iTunes program like their games) , and then add a Tab under the iPhone Tab for Applications. Free downloads of 3rd party applications, and then being able to manage how the applications show up on your iPhone (Like what order they are shown in). Simple really.
People say a lot of things about what Apple is doing. But only Apples knows. What I want to know is how soon can it really be expected. I mean, their most recent update has been hacked already so whats stopping SJ from standing there going "One more thing" and then venting his frustration about people ruining what he and his engineers have made. The only solution for everyone is for Apple to actually say that they are going to be releasing the availability of 3rd party apps. It stops people from hacking the iPhone and it keeps Apple happy with SJ's micro-management ways. But all that goes down the poop chute if Apple plans on charging for them.
So, second solution: Make a iPhone Application Upload program download able from Apples download section of their website (Or even what would most likely happen is a addition to the iTunes program like their games) , and then add a Tab under the iPhone Tab for Applications. Free downloads of 3rd party applications, and then being able to manage how the applications show up on your iPhone (Like what order they are shown in). Simple really.
57 months ago
When are they going to release it Australia? Who the hell cares about app development. Apple should be exhausting all resources so that I can HAVE an iPhone. :p
57 months ago
I don't see how the iPhone can truly succeed in the long term unless Apple opens up development, at least in a limited way.
I really am way in favor of apple being the one who releases 3rd party apps, though itunes would be great.
I just think that if done though apple, we will have some really good quality control. Remember that that is why mac run so much better, hardware and software, the quality control is amazing
57 months ago
i really think the ipod touch is a stop-gap, if there was a 60gig iphone, would you need anything else? :)
[ Read All Comments ]
Analytics firm Chitika today released a report showing that by its metrics iOS has now surpassed OS X in overall web traffic share in the United States. Chitika's methodology involves an analysis...
One of the most frequent reasons for an iPhone to go on a trip to the Apple Store's Genius Bar is because of water damage. Typically, a water damaged iPhone can be replaced for a flat $199...
TheVerge's Joshua Topolsky summarizes the iPad 3 casing findings reported earlier today, but also adds his own sources regarding some details of the iPad 3.
Image from RepairLabs
As...
Last July, Apple discontinued the white MacBook from its consumer lineup, pushing consumers toward the company's popular MacBook Air line or the 13-inch MacBook Pro. The company didn't kill...
Popular iPhone Twitter client Tweetbot has finally arrived on the iPad, with a user interface instantly familiar to any current Tweetbot user. Designed for the Twitter power-user, Tweetbot packs a...
