No. There will be plenty of demand for apps that Apple won't allow, including but not limited to sim unlocks.
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iPhone SDK Details, First Look
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he deserves to have a God complex. Apple, pixar, apple of today, itunes.... All of this was created and prospers from his managerial style. He is now creating a conduit that connects the end user with joe shmo creating a usefull app. If Joe Sho's little app is a hit on its own merritts, he will sell a ton on iTunes. The end user has a centralized place to find apps that are certified safe. It all goes back to job's main concern of the users experience. The user being the end user and Joe Shmo the user of a powerful and simple distribution channel.
irun5k said:
he deserves to have a God complex. Apple, pixar, apple of today, itunes.... All of this was created and prospers from his managerial style. He is now creating a conduit that connects the end user with joe shmo creating a usefull app. If Joe Sho's little app is a hit on its own merritts, he will sell a ton on iTunes. The end user has a centralized place to find apps that are certified safe. It all goes back to job's main concern of the users experience. The user being the end user and Joe Shmo the user of a powerful and simple distribution channel.
But if you think about it there are a ton of people who would still download the backhoe. Who wouldn't want a backhoe?
Yes, distribution is the big thing. But how big is it really --- when Apple is targeting 1% of the mobile market.
If your apps ends up on Get It Now, that's 60+ million user marekt.
i seriously doubt aapl are "targeting" 1%, they confidently know the real target is MUCH higher
Too bad Apple doesn't officially support torrents. They're a great way to go whenever a new release comes out. It's really unfortunate that people always associate them with copyright infringement and RIAA.
The model Apple are providing is much better, imho, than being able to download random apps off any site, and we're not talking OS X here, just the iPhone.
What if Microsoft decided that ALL XBox games can ONLY be distributed through the XBox and developers MUST pay Microsoft 30% of their profits? To add, developers must pay an ANNUAL FEE just for PUBLICATION. Moreover, Microsoft can reject any game from inclusion, if it wishes.
...wouldn't that be like what actually happens?
history. ms recently increased their cut to 65% for xbla titles.
I don't think Steve has a God complex; I admit, he probably is a lot more controlling than most CEO's, but at the same time he wants to ensure that everything falls into place rather than all hell breaking lose.
I mean, if I was in Steve's position, I would take the same approach. Sure, I might start allowing developers to blog and be a little more open, but in terms of ensuring that products in development aren't disclosed, I see nothing wrong.
People have this idea on this website that Apple some how owes them a living. That having used Apple products for x number of years they've accrued some sort of 'Apple loyalty points' and some how, through their 'loyalty' Apple owes them something. Apple doesn't owe them squat. Apple is a company whose sole purpose is to make money for the share holders and deliver value for those share holders. They deliver this by ensuring that there is a consistent experience from top to bottom through their product range.
I also see nothing wrong with Steve taking a passionate approach to the business. Maybe if CEO"s of other companies were more hands on, and took a personal interest in ensuring that companies were run properly we wouldn't see company profits and products nose dive because they were more concerned with their ego's than with the companies future - anyone remember the $10,0000 hat stand? the millions wasted by CEO"s who quite frankly couldn't give a **** about the company they ran and the shareholders who put them in charge?
That was their target by the end of 2008 if im not mistaken. Thats right around 10 million (1 billion total users).
I like everything about the iTune distribution method. It is agonizing for me to find shareware or free windows app on the web because when you get it from p2p network you don't always get the latest version or the copy has been infested with viruses. You go to one of those free download sites only to be told to register to download, after which they spam you with emails; or that the site requires $29 yearly subscription or such. Why does it have to be so difficult? Everybody's in it for the money, all the distributors, there is no free lunch.
With the iTune distribution model, you get one stop shopping. No worry about viruses or bad or junk apps. The $99 fee would discourage people who write junk applications to pollute the pool of good and serious applications. I mean, charge a dollar for each download to cover your $99 fee. If people won't pay a dollar for your app your app is probably junk so why make me sift through your junks to get to the truly useful stuff.
With the iTune distribution model, you get one stop shopping. No worry about viruses or bad or junk apps. The $99 fee would discourage people who write junk applications to pollute the pool of good and serious applications. I mean, charge a dollar for each download to cover your $99 fee. If people won't pay a dollar for your app your app is probably junk so why make me sift through your junks to get to the truly useful stuff.
if google creates their (evil?) statewide/nationwide/worldwide wifi network, would the iPhone and Skype mean the end of T-Mobile and company?
For 2008.
You REALLY think this plan encompasses just the next 10-12 months? (And, like a lot of folks, you're conflating market share with market penetration...) Given the sales of a less capable iPhone, you think Apple is going to stay at that number?
I'll have to plead ignorance here. What's that, what's the distribution channel and how is it supported. (Oh, and what's the growth rate of the platform?). I want to know if we're comparing apples to apples here... (though I do note that 10 million is just a sixth of 60 million).
Positive action?
Absolutely agreed.
So what options do we have? Play along or switch to Android, M$??
Ironically, those that speak up against apple's heavy handed approach get tagged as "whining losers". The hype follows the fanboys.
I think you're overlooking thousands (millions?) of people complaining in forums all over the net. The problem is that we can't DO anything about it. (other than jailbreaking, hoping the competition will catch up one day, or depriving ourselves of the benefits).
Until now I have not bought an iPhone - out of PROTEST against the carrier contract. I also haven't got an iTunes account, because I have serious issues with the business model. I'm not the only one either!
I wonder how long it will take for vendors to start anonymously complaining to Apple about their competitor's abhorrent, disgusting and extremely offensive apps, thus cleansing their markets just a little? (Get Apple to do the dirty work)
I do have an iPod Touch though - it's a fantastic gadget, with (almost) no strings attached. The only thing it's missing is a G3 connection
I really want to write software for it and am now faced with an all or nothing decision: let apple hang Damocles' sword over my app's existence or not write any apps at all ("legally")
So here I am complaining, but I will probably end up trying to get my app distributed via iTunes - at least until a better option becomes available.
Should I just sit on my backside and watch the world go by? (btw Apple: is "backside" offensive?)
Again, you're absolutely right, and, there are plenty of people calling for Bush to be impeached, but the people who should be doing the impeaching don't seem to be listening (oh yeah, I forgot, their on HIS side - doh!)
Absolutely agreed.
So what options do we have? Play along or switch to Android, M$??
Ironically, those that speak up against apple's heavy handed approach get tagged as "whining losers". The hype follows the fanboys.
I think you're overlooking thousands (millions?) of people complaining in forums all over the net. The problem is that we can't DO anything about it. (other than jailbreaking, hoping the competition will catch up one day, or depriving ourselves of the benefits).
Until now I have not bought an iPhone - out of PROTEST against the carrier contract. I also haven't got an iTunes account, because I have serious issues with the business model. I'm not the only one either!
I wonder how long it will take for vendors to start anonymously complaining to Apple about their competitor's abhorrent, disgusting and extremely offensive apps, thus cleansing their markets just a little? (Get Apple to do the dirty work)
I do have an iPod Touch though - it's a fantastic gadget, with (almost) no strings attached. The only thing it's missing is a G3 connection
I really want to write software for it and am now faced with an all or nothing decision: let apple hang Damocles' sword over my app's existence or not write any apps at all ("legally"
)So here I am complaining, but I will probably end up trying to get my app distributed via iTunes - at least until a better option becomes available.
Should I just sit on my backside and watch the world go by? (btw Apple: is "backside" offensive?)
Again, you're absolutely right, and, there are plenty of people calling for Bush to be impeached, but the people who should be doing the impeaching don't seem to be listening (oh yeah, I forgot, their on HIS side - doh!)
A couple things:
Apple is not out after the total market. They're after a specific market segment and always has been. If we're looking at the "smartphone market" (ugh. defining a segment by the product, not by the user), Apple is at 28%. Remember, not everyone who uses a cell phone will want what the iPhone offers.
Second, we're once again confusing market penetration with market share. Software developers are looking more at penetration.
Third (OK, can't count), that's just for this year. Over a several year period, the numbers will be higher--and Apple is counting on them to be higher, with a substantially larger market penetration. How does the math work then? (Substantially better for Apple, I suspect).
Dude, you're the one who doesn't get it.
To use your example of laundry detergent: if your laundry store had a slot that could dispense either free detergent, or detergent you pay for from a specific company, the on you, the consumer, want to use. Any company puts their detergent on the list, and chooses their own price, and you get to get it right at your washer machine.
Would you complain because you couldn't drive to Wal-mart and get the detergent --- why would you need to? IT'S ALREADY AT THE WASHER MACHINE
same as THE APPS ARE ALREADY ON THE PHONE
We aren't "brainwashed" by Apple, we see how freakin great of a deal that is to put your App RIGHT ON EVERY SINGLE IPHONE so people don't have to go looking to your website for the app, it is literally right there on the phone.
I don't get how people don't understand that.
People have been getting this confused. Apple shipped 28% of all smartphones in Q4 2007, but they do NOT have 28% of the total smartphone market. Think about it. Apple has only sold 4 million iPhones. Do you think there's only about 15 million smartphones out there?
OK, it is 5am and I can't sleep so I will bore you with my thoughts on this whole SDK and distribution idea.
Firstly I am not a developer, although I deal a lot with software engineers and people who develop applications. Now the idea of having a stand alone portal for applications is excellent, IMHO. What is the hardest part about finding an application you want?
Say I want backup software for my mac, where is the first place you look? For me it would be apple.com, then Google. Apple.com is great, but does not contain all the applications out there and Google can be far too random and you miss a gem. Now if every application was listen on Apple.com then that would make life so much easier for ME the end user. With an AppStore it gives users a full list of everything available and allows us to make a choice. It could also work out that it benefits the developers too as they will have to push their applications to make them better, if say there where 10 applications that did the same thing you would have to develop to stay ahead of the game.
Now why is the iPod so successful? Is it because of its feature set? No. Is it because everything is handled through iTunes and everything is in one place making life so much easier for the end user? Yes. Now in modern society people pay for convenience, yes you loose the flexibility, but just plug it in and off it goes. That is why the AppStore is a great development for the end user, everything is in one place and syncs with iTunes.
Also you have to look at it in this light. How many iPhone users are there, 10 million by the end of the year. Now how many developers are there? 10,000 - 100,000 i don't know, but the riches are so great from making a 'must have' application that they will toe the line pretty quick when they start seeing people make money from this.
Firstly I am not a developer, although I deal a lot with software engineers and people who develop applications. Now the idea of having a stand alone portal for applications is excellent, IMHO. What is the hardest part about finding an application you want?
Say I want backup software for my mac, where is the first place you look? For me it would be apple.com, then Google. Apple.com is great, but does not contain all the applications out there and Google can be far too random and you miss a gem. Now if every application was listen on Apple.com then that would make life so much easier for ME the end user. With an AppStore it gives users a full list of everything available and allows us to make a choice. It could also work out that it benefits the developers too as they will have to push their applications to make them better, if say there where 10 applications that did the same thing you would have to develop to stay ahead of the game.
Now why is the iPod so successful? Is it because of its feature set? No. Is it because everything is handled through iTunes and everything is in one place making life so much easier for the end user? Yes. Now in modern society people pay for convenience, yes you loose the flexibility, but just plug it in and off it goes. That is why the AppStore is a great development for the end user, everything is in one place and syncs with iTunes.
Also you have to look at it in this light. How many iPhone users are there, 10 million by the end of the year. Now how many developers are there? 10,000 - 100,000 i don't know, but the riches are so great from making a 'must have' application that they will toe the line pretty quick when they start seeing people make money from this.
More proof that if Apple shipped cow pattys, had Steve Jobs say "It's great, 5 years ahead of the competition", and stamped an Apple logo on it, the fanboys would froth at the mouth.
Why must Apple be so controlling with everything?
Even Windows Mobile, open as it is, doesn't have all that many security/virus concerns, so if Apple thinks that the only way of keeping OS X mobile secure is to control and hold it like a baby, I'm pretty worried.
Man does being a touch owner sucked, if I knew I'd be treated as a second class citizen by Apple I wouldn't have bought it. Being nickled and dimed by Apple is just pitiful.
Oh well, I guess I'll make it up by not paying for some Apple software that I account for differently.
Why must Apple be so controlling with everything?
Even Windows Mobile, open as it is, doesn't have all that many security/virus concerns, so if Apple thinks that the only way of keeping OS X mobile secure is to control and hold it like a baby, I'm pretty worried.
Man does being a touch owner sucked, if I knew I'd be treated as a second class citizen by Apple I wouldn't have bought it. Being nickled and dimed by Apple is just pitiful.
Oh well, I guess I'll make it up by not paying for some Apple software that I account for differently.
Charge $1
Being a large cog in a corporate wheel I can understand some of the decisions around the SDK
1 week late . . . someone find me anyone who has ever "always" been on time with everything . . . business is business and things happen, deadlines get pushed . . . fact of life?
$99/yr . . . yes somewhat deceptive (whole other topic), but it does discourage someone from even bothering to take the time to sneak malicious code onto the phone.
Free or charge a $1 . . . and if you charge $1 for the app . . . well . . . the math is easy . . . if the app is good . . . I will pay $1
"inappropriate material" . . . I think there are a whole host of other legal ramifications that apple would have to deal with if they hosted "pornographic" material . . . I'm sure they could all care less if the teenage boy was downloading "Strip Poker Extreme" . . . but I could see mom threatening to sue . . .
I love my phone . . . I jailbroke it but quickly found that I'd rather not have it crash while taking a call . . . so I did a clean install . . . yes there are some things missing . . . the device has forced the complacent us mobile telecoms to get off their @$$ and rethink their customer contracts ($99 unlimited calls) and is driving competition with Google . . . if nothing else . . . thank you apple for changing the game . . .
Being a large cog in a corporate wheel I can understand some of the decisions around the SDK
1 week late . . . someone find me anyone who has ever "always" been on time with everything . . . business is business and things happen, deadlines get pushed . . . fact of life?
$99/yr . . . yes somewhat deceptive (whole other topic), but it does discourage someone from even bothering to take the time to sneak malicious code onto the phone.
Free or charge a $1 . . . and if you charge $1 for the app . . . well . . . the math is easy . . . if the app is good . . . I will pay $1
"inappropriate material" . . . I think there are a whole host of other legal ramifications that apple would have to deal with if they hosted "pornographic" material . . . I'm sure they could all care less if the teenage boy was downloading "Strip Poker Extreme" . . . but I could see mom threatening to sue . . .
I love my phone . . . I jailbroke it but quickly found that I'd rather not have it crash while taking a call . . . so I did a clean install . . . yes there are some things missing . . . the device has forced the complacent us mobile telecoms to get off their @$$ and rethink their customer contracts ($99 unlimited calls) and is driving competition with Google . . . if nothing else . . . thank you apple for changing the game . . .
That kinda sux but what else can apple do?? Make it a subscription model like the iphone even when they really dont have anything new to deliver from month to month? Look at the bright side, after the next software update there will be so many third party apps you might not need to pay another cent for apple app.
I dunno...I notice you've been just as sloppy in this as anyone else.....
There's standard new product diffusion curves out there--we'll see the iPhone get a larger penetration of the market. There's been some relatively rapid adoption of the iPhone, which will only get faster as the new features get implemented, enlarging the market for apps.