Apple Accepting iPhone Apps Into App Store

[mrr]

An iPhone as a remote but NO "cut and paste?"

3rd party apps and the App Store is the reason that I am moving from my Palm Treo to the iPhone! Bring it on!!

 

[Veri]

That's a risk I'm willing to take. Apple would only be shooting themselves in the foot by being stringent with what they approve.

Except when they believe otherwise, e.g. by only approving 1/n'th of developers for the 11 July launch, and approving 0 developers before then.

or those applications that have the potential to harm users.

So they perform a thorough source code audit of every application submitted? Or does Apple have a silver trojan detecting static binary analysis bullet?

If you can't see the value in some way to prevent malicious applications from getting on a public store, then you have some problems.

I see no problem in that, I just don't want only one organisation being the decider. It'd be similar to Microsoft requiring you to run OneCare, and OneCare having the ability to refuse to launch whatever software Microsoft decides is dangerous.

Their rules are not nebulous. Go read the damn legal agreements for once.

I have read the "damn" agreement as far as I can go - I have to accept the "Registered iPhone Developer" agreement (which I shan't) before I can see whatever more detailed agreement applies to those coughing up $99. If there's some way to get to the latter that doesn't require agreeing to the former, I apologise and request please a link.

Anyway, please explain how the highlighted sentence in the initial agreement is not nebulous:

8. Term and Termination. Apple may terminate or suspend you as a Registered iPhone Developer at any time in Apple's sole discretion. You may terminate your participation as a Registered iPhone Developer at any time, for any reason, by notifying Apple in writing of your intent to do so. Upon any termination or, at Apple's discretion, suspension, all rights and licenses granted to you by Apple will cease, including your right to access the iPhone Developer site or use any Pre-Release Software, and you agree to destroy any and all Confidential Information that is in your possession or control. At Apple's request, you agree to provide certification of such destruction to Apple. No refund or partial refund of any fees paid hereunder or any other fees will be made for any reason....

Now why would Apple reserve the right to terminate your privilege to develop for the iPhone at their discretion? Could it be related to the very next paragraph?

9. Nothing in this Agreement will impair Apple's right to develop, acquire, license, market, promote or distribute products, software or technologies that perform the same or similar functions as, or otherwise compete with any other products, software or technologies that you may develop, produce, market, or distribute....

Apple know how to wield the sword of Damocles, they've done it in the past, and even if I thought it would pay off financially in the short term, I cannot advocate encouraging their behaviour.

 

[ashjamben]

i take it not, but is there a way to check out already-submitted apps? i've seen a few games sega were developing but it would be cool to know what to expect on july 11th.

 

[Fabiano]

There is one thing I still dont understand... If Im planning to distribute a free app for iPhone, I still have to pay for the $99 developer program? thats disapointing... I dont want to spend 99 bucks on something that I will not take any profit!

 

[zorinlynx]

Why is Apple placing every app under the microscope like this? Isn't this going to make debugging and updating to new versions, and all of that a cumbersome process?

The iPhone app store should be an *option*. You can choose to sell your app there. You should also be able to develop an app and distribute it as an installable appbundle on your own site. This way, people who are willing to take the risk can install your app on their phone without you having to go through the long approval process.

I like the fact that the iPhone App Store exists. I just don't like the fact that it's the ONLY option. We should be able to distribute and release our own applications.

But no, Apple wants to be a gatekeeper. And that's one reason I'm hesitant to invest in an iPhone.

 

[Interstella5555]

It is ridiculous that they are only allowing a certain # of developers in at a time. Why? It makes no sense at all. They don't do it for Mac, so why for the iPhone? This is a dumb move on Apple's part. Those 21,000 of us that are not approved developers will not get our apps in the app store on launch day which puts us at a huge competitive disadvantage and is completely unfair.

We're actually thinking of suing Apple over this matter as it is monopolistic in nature. They are controlling the platform and giving preferential treatment to certain vendors and pissing off many long time Mac developers.

It really makes me feel sad when people don't understand what a Monopoly is...As I'm sure Apple's legal department does.