vB Easy Archive - Coming from the Nokia E90...3rd Party Development: Hope or Reality

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Coming from the Nokia E90...3rd Party Development: Hope or Reality
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Posted by: DialekT

I'm just wondering am I one of the many people that is simply hoping that we will see 3rd party apps soon/at all? Or is this actually going to happen. I haven't found any solid info thus far. This iphone is beautiful in every other aspect.. But I have to be honest with myself...I need flexibility outside of web based apps. I've come from a Nokia E90 since yesterday.

Posted by: skalogre

Other than what was mentioned in the keynote (which may end up being just widgets) or what hackers will achieve, no one knows for sure. I personally doubt Apple would miss the opportunity to make some money by making their own applications.

Posted by: cowboy1964

I think hackers will provide a way eventually if Apple doesn't. You'd think after all these years these companies would have learned the value of being open. But this is Apple we're talking about.

I'm hoping the only reason Apple didn't include the ability for 3rd party apps. is because of time. They wanted to get the iPhone out. Their excuse about 3rd party apps. crashing the phone or the network is bunk.

Posted by: JerryNY

Bootcamp on Macs is a somewhat interesting parallel in this case. Apple released Intel based Macs and weeks thereafter there were hacks posted on the web on how to get XP to run on these intel based Macs. Someone even started up a bounty pool that others could contribute to that reached over $10k I believe. People were actually afraid Apple would start releasing updates that would cripple these efforts at some point because they thought there was no way Apple would let anyone install XP on a Mac. In the end Apple released the Bootcamp beta to give people an easy way to install XP and even went so far as to provide the drivers for all the hardware being used in the Mac under XP and a way to partition the drive. Apple really did seem genuinely surprised that so many people really wanted to run Windows on their Macs but once they realized it they saw it actually made sense to help them to do so. I think Apple has been surprised a bit by how much people want to run 3rd party apps on the phone and maybe even more surprised that so many "geek" types would be hacking away at it. Even the iPod with 100million plus out there never got this kind of outcry for 3rd party stuff on it.

Posted by: toomer

My $.02, for what it's worth ...

I have a feeling that later this year, we'll have an announcement from Apple about 3rd party application support for the iPhone - through some sort of registered developer program. It will be a closed ecosystem, users will have to buy the apps through iTunes, and all 3rd party apps will need to meet strict quality control guidelines and certifications that Apple will specify and test against ... to make sure that stability problems are not introduced into the iPhone "platform".

Developers will be able to develop and test their apps in a simulated iPhone environment that runs on Windows and OS X desktops (there used to be a simulated Palm environment for development on that platform). When the apps are complete - they can submit them to Apple for sale through iTunes.

I have 3rd party application on my video iPod - games like Texas Hold 'Em, etc. It's a very controlled system, and the apps are written by parties other than Apple ... but licensed and delivered through iTunes. I think they'll adopt the same model for the iPhone.

Web2.0+AJAX was just something to keep folks occupied for a bit, or for very small developers that can't/don't want to submit to Apple's process for selling apps.

Posted by: samab

Quote:

Originally Posted by toomer

My $.02, for what it's worth ...

What you basically described --- is the Verizon Wireless Get It Now business model.

Posted by: dirtyboy

While this is a rumor, this does provide interest speculation on the possibility of 3rd party apps. I had thought pretty much the same before I read this article.

Possible evidence that Leopard could bring true iPhone apps?

Posted by: audiosclie

I just left behind the E90 for the iphone on the 24th. I am pleased with the switch. I really do feel like the iphone is the mobile future and while I enjoy my phone for what it offers now, I think the present app selection is just the tip of the iceberg.

Posted by: illution

Quote:

Originally Posted by DialekT

I'm just wondering am I one of the many people that is simply hoping that we will see 3rd party apps soon/at all? Or is this actually going to happen. I haven't found any solid info thus far. This iphone is beautiful in every other aspect.. But I have to be honest with myself...I need flexibility outside of web based apps. I've come from a Nokia E90 since yesterday.

you just changed phone AGAIN?

Posted by: DialekT

Yes.. I made the switch to the iPhone and I will say right now that I honestly couldnt be happier.

I'm so glad I did. Can't wait to see what's in store for updates or the next revision. wow.

Posted by: toomer

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirtyboy

While this is a rumor, this does provide interest speculation on the possibility of 3rd party apps. I had thought pretty much the same before I read this article.

Possible evidence that Leopard could bring true iPhone apps?

Wow, that's an encouraging link -- I hadn't seen or heard that!

Interesting question that brings up - would Apple make the iPhone development environment only available on Macs? Try to capitalize on a little "halo effect" of the iPhone to push more Macs? Very smart, on their part - they could actually get away with it, I bet ...