Apple Drops iPhone Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA)

[firewood]

Please note that unreleased software and features will remain under NDA until they are released.

Unreleased Apple software. But software written by Adobe, Google, or you, is obviously not covered, unless it contains unreleased Apple iPhone software or API calls. But IANAL, and the actual new NDA isn't out yet, so take this with a grain of salt.

And this SDK NDA release has nothing to do with App store approvals, which can still be under another NDA if they so choose (there is a separate agreement for using the store).

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[RTiii320]

glad to hear that developers can interact easier now without having to worry about the NDA. This can only improve the types of applications that we are getting nowadays.

 

[Thomas2006]

Open Source now available?

Are developers now allowed to share their source code so people can get free software without having to go through the App Store?

 

[Stile]

Hmmm, wonder if the NetShare guys will share their code? But I suppose a similar OSS app will show up before too long anyway.

 

[Tulse]

Are developers now allowed to share their source code so people can get free software without having to go through the App Store?

This has nothing to do with how apps get distributed. Apps will still need to be cryptographically "signed" by Apple to run, so no, this will not lead to non-App Store distribution. It does mean that developers can "open source" their code, but the actual app will still need to go through the App Store (or the other official channels) to run on iPhones.

 

[Sasha-1]

He's just a clueless Android fanboy shilling for the G1.

I don't think he's a clueless Android supporter. I think Android holds a lot of promise as an open system. Judging it solely by the first product ever released would be silly.

Why not lose the attitude towards anyone with a thought that strays away from your beloved Apple. Talk about fanboi.

Alex Alexzander

 

[Packersfan27]

This may sound stupid,

but does this mean that we will see apps that let us customize our phones, like custom backgrounds and icons?

 

[DreamPod]

Um, to me this sounds like Apple trying to look good without actually having to do anything. Us developers can now talk about the software we release...woot! Of course, that doesn't free up the restrictions about talking about Apple libraries and all that, which is what people really object to.

 

[firewood]

Are developers now allowed to share their source code so people can get free software without having to go through the App Store?

Random users might be able to get free OSS source code, and perhaps run it on the simulator (if they agree to the new SDK license). But installing the app or any compiled source code on an iPhone will still require Apple supplied developer certificates and keys... those are currently neither free nor transferable. (Or one can try jailbreaking their device to install anything...)

But this new SDK license might allow enrolled developers to recompile and install (share) each others code.

Certain highly restrictive licenses prevent distribution of an OSS app if one can't also distribute all the keys required. But there are better suited OSS licenses available (BSD, et.al.).

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[espoir]

Make no mistake - NDA drop for released software means "we don't want people to know how to implement things we don't approve"...

So, for example, if someone develops a way for syncing Podcasts over the air without iTunes and Apple wouldn't approve that as we know, this means that this peace of software won't be released which also means that noone should know how to program this kind of things...

 

[KENESS]

Um, to me this sounds like Apple trying to look good without actually having to do anything. Us developers can now talk about the software we release...woot! Of course, that doesn't free up the restrictions about talking about Apple libraries and all that, which is what people really object to.

I think you missed the point... Of course you have always been able to talk about your software, just not the details of developing it.

The "released software" they are referring to is the SDK and the use thereof. Obviously, if it hasn't been released yet (the 2.2 SDK, as a fake example) you still can't talk about it. But 2.1 is (or will be, then the new NDA takes effect) fair game, because it has been released.

 

[Sasha-1]

Wow, the iPhone's first major competitor. It's only been, what, 16 months? Do you really think that apps for the G1 will be any less useless, especially since they don't have as efficient of an application delivery system?

Couple that with the fact that the apps are going to have free-reign of the OS (including the ability to run in the background) and it will be just like Windows Mobile.

Throw in the G1's slide-out keyboard, and that's a big No Thanks for me.

Have you even used Windows Mobile? I have both gen iPhones, a BlackBerry 8800, and 8310, and a Moto Q which is based on Windows Mobile but with enough of a tweak to where it operates a lot like a BlackBerrry in that it has no stylus and is a one-hand operation.

Background apps on both the BlackBerry and the Moto Q are not at all a problem. They don't at all cause crashes. They don't kill the battery. The function as normally as multitasking on your Mac or PC. Only Apple has an issue with battery life on their mobile. I had always left JiveTalk, an IM client running on my BlackBerry for days on end with no battery loss. I was absolutely blown away when Apple made the claim to that effect.

A real keyboard is a big deal to a lot of people. And again, the G1 is not the sole Android device. Many will be small, like a BlackBerry Pearl. Some with have the form-factor of the BlackBerry Curve, BlackJack, Moto Q and Palm Treo. Some will no doubt be 100% touch-based. And some will be like the G1 and offer both.

Personally, I think the closed model Apple exhibits is the biggest mistake Apple could make. And I do believe Android will beat the iPhone. Open systems have always pulled ahead of closed systems, all things being equal.

Alex Alexzander

 

[firewood]

Make no mistake - NDA drop for released software means "we don't want people to know how to implement things we don't approve"...

I'd be fun if you could figure out a way to NDA stuff you don't own. For instance could Microsoft put an NDA on any random open source software just because the don't approve of it? Maybe I can NDA all your future email? Not likely.

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[espoir]

The "released software" they are referring to is the SDK and the use thereof. Obviously, if it hasn't been released yet (the 2.2 SDK, as a fake example) you still can't talk about it. But 2.1 is (or will be, then the new NDA takes effect) fair game, because it has been released.

If so, it would be great! I think this idea could be possible

 

[Darkroom]

would love to see a Hillgass book "Cocoa Touch Programming for iPhone OS"... would buy it in a flash...

 

[paja]

I don't think he's a clueless Android supporter. I think Android holds a lot of promise as an open system. Judging it solely by the first product ever released would be silly.

Why not lose the attitude towards anyone with a thought that strays away from your beloved Apple. Talk about fanboi.

Alex Alexzander

1st of all from what I read he IS clueless about the iPhone and what applications are available at the store.

2nd. Have you had any hands on experience with the G1? How do you know it's so wonderful since it's NOT even shipping yet. At least with the iPhone we know the ups and downs or is the G1 the new Jesus phone that will save all of mankind?

3rd. I'm a DELL and Mac user and I'm hardly a Mac fanboy.

 

[James-RSX]

Open systems have always pulled ahead of closed systems, all things being equal.

Alex Alexzander

Yup, that's why Linux is so popular on PCs and Windoze is almost non-existant.

Personally, I hope Android does well but I'm not about to give up my iPhone.

 

[James-RSX]

Nope, that's not what it means. Nowhere does it say it's restricted to only Apple-written unreleased software. It covers ALL unreleased iPhone apps, including apps that are unreleased because Apple refused to approve them.

This revision addresses a common complaint many developers have had; the NDA was so broad it prevented them from talking and sharing ideas and methods to write better software. So this change is a good thing. But this change does not help those developers who write code that Apple decides is too competitive to its own software and does not approve. They're still prevented from talking about why their software wasn't approved. And that's bad.

By your reasoning, the developers wouldn't be allowed to talk to anyone about their software projects UNTIL their software was released as they would still be under NDA. If their software has been released, why would they need to talk to other developers about coding issues?

I'm pretty sure the software they are referring to is Apple software. It most likely means that developers can now talk to one another about the 2.1 SDK and code but that anyone testing the 2.2 SDK is still under NDA.

 

[Duality]

A really, really positive move. This should help Apple out VS things like the android phones now too. =D

I still want to see the NDA on unreleased titles lifted though. That's totally ridiculous, because we'll continue to get incidents like the podcast aggregator program etc. @_@

 

[Sasha-1]

Yup, that's why Linux is so popular on PCs and Windoze is almost non-existant.

Personally, I hope Android does well but I'm not about to give up my iPhone.

Windows is an open system. iPhone is not. Perhaps you are confusing open system with open source. Two completely different concepts.

Alex Alexzander

 

[Sasha-1]

1st of all from what I read he IS clueless about the iPhone and what applications are available at the store.

2nd. Have you had any hands on experience with the G1? How do you know it's so wonderful since it's NOT even shipping yet. At least with the iPhone we know the ups and downs or is the G1 the new Jesus phone that will save all of mankind?

3rd. I'm a DELL and Mac user and I'm hardly a Mac fanboy.

I have purchased over 50 apps on the iTunes store. Most are worthless. You give Apple way too much credit here. What I see are a bunch of games.

G1 shows promise. So please don't pull the old bull about no one has used it yet. We all know what it can do, and how many different companies plan to support it. That's enough to show promise. If you can't see that, get glasses.

Alex

 

[jstanier]

Hopefully this means that the big dev sites such as CocoaBuilder and their ilk will start filling up with useful conversation that's helpful to us developers. I certainly missed having those sites to search when programming!

 

[grafikrobot]

Even though we wont know the real extent of the Apple reversal we should all certainly thank the MacRumors reporting. It, and the follow-ups, certainly helped in pushing Apple in the right direction.

So, thank you arn and all the developers who expressed their displeasure.

 

[Tulse]

Open systems have always pulled ahead of closed systems, all things being equal.

How many open system gaming consoles have there been? Why haven't they trounced the Xbox, PSP, DS, etc. etc. etc.?

 

[JoeG4]

Apple shouldn't be allowed to put any restrictions whatsoever on their developers. Period.