It was only a matter of time till the serious iPhone
SDK rumors started flying, and with Apple's Town Hall event
next Thursday, it's possible some of what we're hearing is right on. If that's the case, prepare to be letdown in a major way. According to iLounge, Apple will be severely restricting access on software for the iPhone and iPod touch, only allowing apps to be downloaded through iTunes, hand-picking which applications will make it to the store, and cutting off developer's access to accessories which interface with the dock connector. Of course, this is just about what we expected from Steve, since he's already
lauded Nokia for its S60 verification scheme. Additionally, the report claims that the SDK we see next week will be an incomplete beta, with the full version rolling out in June to coincide with the WWDC. Thinking of any good reasons to keep
jailbreaking your phone? Yeah, us too.
[Thanks, Omega]
Update: Here comes the
counter-rumor, which has it that only paid-apps are get hand selected by Apple, while free apps would supposedly be open for download. Not clear whether that means free apps simply wouldn't be offered in iTunes, but it's all just hearsay until Apple tells us what's up later this week.
posted Feb 29th 2008 at 11:23AM
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
byaah @ Feb 29th 2008 11:45AM
Eh, though its still a bit of a letdown, I knew they would be stingy with the access anyway. I'm going to keep my iPod touch jailbroken.
Thanks, Apple.
Jason @ Feb 29th 2008 12:06PM
Unbelievable.
AdamRLeggett @ Feb 29th 2008 1:34PM
As long as they don't restrict access to the SDK itself - it will still accelerate the number of apps available for the platform - even if you have to use Jailbreak or the like to get it installed.
Umberto @ Feb 29th 2008 12:38PM
Does this really come as any surprise? I'm sure Apple will require some type of review process, most probably source code, in order that the powers that be can do their best to keep malware and buggy software off their platform. Of course they'll be exercising some control over the process. I also don't find it to be any surprise that the apps will be loaded through iTunes.
Jason Peterson @ Feb 29th 2008 12:54PM
As an iphone owner I am both dissappointed and not surprised. I just hope apple does not go overboard with this approval process.
MBN @ Feb 29th 2008 1:09PM
Booo!
I wonder what effect this will have on unlocked iPhones? Will I still be able to use an unlocked if not Jailbroken iPhone?
storino03 @ Feb 29th 2008 1:20PM
hahaha...that's apple for ya
--James
Ian Ximinies @ Feb 29th 2008 2:52PM
As long as i get some sort of MMS App i could care less how much control Apple has
zephxiii @ Feb 29th 2008 7:36PM
reading this just makes sick
brett @ Mar 1st 2008 6:26AM
is it only me then that thinks this is a good idea!?!!? Because I've used window mobile and downloaded 3rd party apps and its totally down to luck as to wether the usablitly is any good, if the program its self is any good and basically it just makes for a crap time all round. At least with apple checking them they will be good and selling them through iTunes means there all in one place and easy to find. I'll happily put up with not having loads of different programs if it means the ones I do get are great to use and bug free
Juice @ Mar 1st 2008 1:30PM
@Brett
You wouldn't happen to be a Karl Marx fan would you?
Mcrae79 @ Mar 2nd 2008 2:15PM
apple is setting it self up for failure, right now controlling everything is making them more money than ever but it also is creating a larger and larger demand for openware. there going to control themselfs out of existence becuase when the demand gets greater the compition gets better