Apple iPhone Apps Coming, but Limited

[MacRumors]

A New York Times article reveals some information about Apple's iPhone and the possibility of 3rd party application.

The article quotes Steve Jobs about why Apple does not want to allow any 3rd party developer make applications for the iPhone:

“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.”

While saying this, Jobs does reveal that there will likely be additional applications that can be bought later and installed, but that this will be in a "controlled environment". Apple adopts a similar approach with iPod game development -- only allowing specific products to be developed and released.

[gwangung]

I await the "Steve Jobs is a control freak" comments.

[Asar]

awww, just let us install what we want

[neptunet]

The iPhone can kiss my iAss.

It's going to be terrible without any 3rd party apps.

[twoodcc]

Originally Posted by neptunet

The iPhone can kiss my iAss.

It's going to be terrible without any 3rd party apps.

LOL! sorry, made me laugh a little

but i can understand why Steve is saying this.

personally i'm getting tired of all the iPhone talk. i wish it would stop until it gets here

[dan-o-mac]

********! Then why did he keep stressing how cool it was to have OS X on it.

[thegoldenmackid]

Originally Posted by dan-o-mac

********! Then why did he keep stressing how cool it was to have OS X on it.

it's not going to be able to opreate like osx...only look like osx and have some familiar apps, but you arent going to have a full os....thatd be crazy....its going to be "mini-Leopard"

[dan-o-mac]

Originally Posted by thegoldenmackid

it's not going to be able to opreate like osx...only look like osx and have some familiar apps, but you arent going to have a full os....thatd be crazy....its going to be "mini-Leopard"

My point was why did he state is has OS X(I know it's not a full version) as a feature, talk about running a real web browsers, then go ahead and state it's nothing like a computer. He's full of it.

[BillyShears]

Originally Posted by dan-o-mac

My point was why did he state is has OS X(I know it's not a full version) as a feature, talk about running a real web browsers, then go ahead and state it's nothing like a computer. He's full of it.

I initially thought that it running "OS X" (and Core Image, etc.) was a sign of third party developers being allowed in.

I'm not sure, but maybe he mentioned those to show it's proven technology, and not a whole new OS (with the accompanying bugs).

[dan-o-mac]

Originally Posted by BillyShears

I initially thought that it running "OS X" (and Core Image, etc.) was a sign of third party developers being allowed in.

I'm not sure, but maybe he mentioned those to show it's proven technology, and not a whole new OS (with the accompanying bugs).

I'm not really concerned if the OS is full or mini version. My main concern is quotes like this, “We define everything that is on the phone". Thanks, but no thanks. What if I wanted Adium on my phone but Apple doesn't. Let the user decide what they want on the phone, let them take responsibility.

[coumerelli]

Originally Posted by dan-o-mac

My point was why did he state is has OS X(I know it's not a full version) as a feature, talk about running a real web browsers, then go ahead and state it's nothing like a computer. He's full of it.

It's simple, I think. OS X is powerful. It has a powerful graphics engine. It has a gorgeous UI. It has an intuitive UI. It's solid and 'locked down' from un-authenticated/authorized intrusion. These can all be said of the 'OS X' on the iPhone. So, in essence, it IS OS X - just not the FULL OS X we use and rely on day in and day out.

[TomSmithMacEd]

SKYPE SKYPE!! (or some form of VOIP)

[Leondunkleyc]

.

[Whistleway]

I would imagine that stance means, you can kiss corporate users goodbye !

[Aeolius]

Originally Posted by Whistleway

I would imagine that stance means, you can kiss corporate users goodbye !

I doubt corporate users would buy a GPS-enabled phone that you cannot take the battery out of, anyway. And I have yet to hear if the battery is removable (I hope it is).

[MoparShaha]

This is really a poor decision. Part of the allure of a smartphone is that it's a PDA as well. This means 3rd party programs. I use my PocketPC all the time, and rely mainly on 3rd party apps.

I understand Steve's reasoning, in that he wants a smooth, seemless device. This is somewhat analogous to Mac's being so stable because Apple controls the hardware and software, so OS X is programmed with every possible circumstance in mind, unlike Windows which must cope with a myriad of hardware situations (I know we're only talking about software with the iPhone though). Still, I agree with a previous poster who said it's Apple's responsibility to ensure the smooth operation of the phone portion of the device, regardless of 3rd party apps.

However disappointed I am by this decision, I think we need to realize this is Apple's first go at this device (and market), so they're being overly cautious. They want to make a good first impression on the majority of consumers, and that means making a simple, efficient, and reliable device. We might see changes once Apple gets a firm foothold in this market.

[bretm]

Originally Posted by Leondunkleyc

So you'll be able to get word, excel, adobe reader, skype, etc, all the essentials, but not less successful apps by less successful developers.

My view: good for consumers (stops you from messing up your brand new phone by exerting free will). Bad for developers

NO. Noone ever said anything even close to that. Perhaps.

It isn't a freakin computer people. Noone ever said it was. His OSX point was simple... that it's running their operating system and that it's not a hardwired toy like these other jokes out there. That it's run on software and upgradeable. Geez, he never eluded to anything but it being ipod, web, phone. ipod, web, phone. ipod, web phone,, etc. NO COMPUTER. Good. I want a device that works. This does what I want, how I want it. I'll buy it for that reason.

[SiliconAddict]

Originally Posted by thegoldenmackid

it's not going to be able to opreate like osx...only look like osx and have some familiar apps, but you arent going to have a full os....thatd be crazy....its going to be "mini-Leopard"

I've got a name! Forget the iPhone....its the iCub!

[xenotaku]

Who the hell cares? How many of your phones right now allow you program and install any app you want? This is a cell phone! Not a mini computer.

He stressed the inclusion of OSX because it is what drives the phone. The animations, the menus, the security. He never implied it would be a mini computer. Its a cell phone!

And how many of you have iPods? Probably 95%, and you can't install whatever you want on that either, so why complain about this.

The unrealistic expectations people are putting on this phone is insane. Go read thread #500. You all sound exactly like the people on that thread.

[voidptr]

Originally Posted by xenotaku

Who the hell cares? How many of your phones right now allow you program and install any app you want? This is a cell phone! Not a mini computer.

It's both. And I already own a cellphone. And an iPod. I'd love to replace them with an iPhone, but the RDF is fading fast on this one.

The killer app for me on the iPhone is useful widgets that use the internet (either over EDGE or WiFi) I can carry with me. If I can't write them or share them and Apple is going to the ringtone model of only what they say at inflated prices just because it runs on a phone instead, it severely lessens my personal demand for the device. I already have something that can make phone calls, convince me there's $600 worth of value in this phone I don't already have.

Steve made a big deal during the keynote that they paired up so "Cingular could be Cingular, and Apple could be Apple" and that they were pulling the cell phone industry into the next century. To turn around and adopt the Cell carrier model on this is the entire wrong direction. Apple has had an amazing comeback in the last few years, in part because of the iPod, but also because they finally made Mac appeal to a very broad base of people, including a lot of third party development. Even the iPod and iTunes has benefited a great deal from podcasting, which is really another form of third party content.

Cell phones need to adopt the "big dumb pipe" model in data and voice and drop the locked network mentality. The best promise of the iPhone was that it was going to push that new reality. The sad truth is it looks more and more like it's going to solidify the old reality instead.

[harmless]

Originally Posted by xenotaku

Who the hell cares?

I do.

How many of your phones right now allow you program and install any app you want?

My old Treo did. If it doesn't, why should I throw serious money at it?

Not a mini computer.

Yes it is.

And how many of you have iPods? Probably 95%, and you can't install whatever you want on that either, so why complain about this.

Because an iPod does not have the capability to act as a full purpose computer. The iPhone does.

The unrealistic expectations people are putting on this phone is insane. Go read thread #500. You all sound exactly like the people on that thread.

I disagree. There's nothing unrealistic about installing 3rd party applications on a smartphone. Heck, that's the *point* of a smartphone!

At least it is for me.

There's no room for argument here. Either I can install any 3rd party app I want, or there will be no business.

[fowler.]

Originally Posted by xenotaku

Who the hell cares? How many of your phones right now allow you program and install any app you want? This is a cell phone! Not a mini computer.

He stressed the inclusion of OSX because it is what drives the phone. The animations, the menus, the security. He never implied it would be a mini computer. Its a cell phone!

And how many of you have iPods? Probably 95%, and you can't install whatever you want on that either, so why complain about this.

The unrealistic expectations people are putting on this phone is insane. Go read thread #500. You all sound exactly like the people on that thread.

Most phones can run Java apps, Treos can run apps designed for PalmOS, Nokia can run apps designed for it's os, as well as the plethora of Windows Mobile applications that run on various smart phones...

Poor argument my friend.

[DTphonehome]

Originally Posted by xenotaku

Who the hell cares? How many of your phones right now allow you program and install any app you want? This is a cell phone! Not a mini computer.

My Treo does...and so does any Windows Mobile device. Hell, even Blackberry has 3rd party apps. Considering Steve lambasted those devices as "not very smart", I would hope that a device which is supposed to be "smarter" would allow me to install apps which Steve and his buddies might not have time to deem acceptable (ie, my medical software).

[BlueRevolution]

Originally Posted by xenotaku

Who the hell cares? How many of your phones right now allow you program and install any app you want? This is a cell phone! Not a mini computer.

Exactly the reason why I don't own a cell phone right now.

Originally Posted by xenotaku

The unrealistic expectations people are putting on this phone is insane. Go read thread #500. You all sound exactly like the people on that thread.

If you think the future of cell phones is proprietary software, then maybe you should have another look at 500. There is no potential for expansion and development there. The company that realizes this and releases a truly open device will be releasing the iPod of phones. Pity it won't be Apple.

[AppleIntelRock]

Originally Posted by xenotaku

Who the hell cares? How many of your phones right now allow you program and install any app you want? This is a cell phone! Not a mini computer.

He stressed the inclusion of OSX because it is what drives the phone. The animations, the menus, the security. He never implied it would be a mini computer. Its a cell phone!

And how many of you have iPods? Probably 95%, and you can't install whatever you want on that either, so why complain about this.

The unrealistic expectations people are putting on this phone is insane. Go read thread #500. You all sound exactly like the people on that thread.

His $600 price tag implied it would be more then a phone! He also said it was far superior to any smart-phone on the market. I don't know what rock you've been living under, but this was announced to be similar to a mini-computer.