Apples plans to give third-party developers access to its iPhone will be unveiled Thursday at its Cupertino, Calif., headquarters. But what it plans do at its iPhone Software Roadmap event has developers anxious.
Its not clear if Apple will release a promised software development kit, but failing to do so would be a major disappointment for developers. Apple is already late on its promise to have an iPhone SDK in developers hands in February.
The iLounge Web site has reported that Apple will only release a beta version of the SDK, with the full kit not available until June in conjunction with the Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco.
JAIL-BREAKING TO CONTINUE?
In any case, developers may be a little underwhelmed by the terms Apple is setting. iLounge reported, based on sources who "independently confirmed" the details, that Apple will distribute third-party applications through the iTunes Store, that it will decide what applications are approved, and that developers will not be able to interface with hard accessories.
Ross Rubin, an analyst with NPD Group, wrote on his blog that having Apple as the sole distributor of third-party apps is "overall positive, if true." After all, he said, "The inability to track down mobile applications has been one of the major hindrances in smartphone application development." Rubin also suggested Apple make the apps available over its iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store.
Until that happens, "Im pretty certain jail-breaking will be popular for the foreseeable future," said Damien Stolarz, coauthor of an upcoming book on iPhone hacks, in an e-mail. "The SDK is better than nothing, but a lack of over-the-air purchase and install will leave installer.app in business until Apple lets you buy on the phone."
APPLE AS GATEKEEPER
iLounge editor Jermey Horwitz noted that the plan to have Apple serve as application gatekeeper is easily "the most controversial aspect" of Apples vision. "Our sources confirm that Apple will act as a gatekeeper for applications, deciding which are and are not worthy of release, and publishing only approved applications to the iTunes Store; a process that will less resemble the iTunes Stores massive directory of podcasts than its sale of a limited variety of iPod games," Horwitz wrote.
Rob Enderle, principal analyst with the Enderle Group, said Apple needs to play this role. "I actually think its a good idea to control applications, so that Apple can ensure quality," he wrote in an e-mail. Thats what the game-system vendors do -- "and the last thing you want is an unreliable phone." Indeed, Enderle notes, "Ataris game system died because they didnt control quality."
One fear is that Apple will become a severe bottleneck, with the availability of programs hamstrung by Apples testing and verification process. One of iLounges sources said that thus far, Apples approval processes for third-party products have resulted in "lengthy, needless delays."
FREE APPS AND THE DOCK
"The bigger question will be how people get free apps," said Tim Bajarin, principal analyst for Creative Strategies, in an e-mail. "How Apple answers this question will be of great interest to the iPhone community."
Perhaps most disappointing to developers is the lack of access to hardware connected through the dock. "Thats unfortunate, but also not surprising -- clearly a big part of what Apples been working on in advance of this SDK are ways to sandbox applications for security and control of resources," John Gruber wrote on his Daring Fireball blog.
On the enterprise side, expect Apple to announce iPhone compatibility with Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Notes, Horwitz said.
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