Late Breaking iPhone SDK Rumors: EDGE OK, Apple's Cut, Mac-Only SDK

[sanctus]

The fundamental differance is for you to run windows you can buy/torrent/whatever a pice of software for a low price. We on the other hand needs to go out to buy new hardware we nighter want or need. See the differance?

There is no fundamental difference at all.

Need to develop for Windows mobile when you own a Mac or Linux, your screw you need windows.
Need to develop for Symbian, you'll need windows too.
Your a web developer and need to correct your site on non standard IE, you will, again, need windows and pay for something you also don't want.

The only difference is that you're for the first time tasting Microsoft centric model we suffer, Mac and Linux users, for years.

I believe a cross platform SDK would be much more use for apple though.

 

[Lyle]

Wait a minute. So you're saying that in order to use this "SDK" to develop applications for the iPhone, I'm going to have to use a computer? I can't just sketch out a picture of the application on a napkin and have it magically appear on the phone?

This is such a bizarre thread. Anyhoo. The main thing I'm wanting clarified is whether there will be a way for developers to distribute their iPhone/iPod applications (whether commercial or free) outside of the iTunes store. Hopefully I'll be able to just download an application from a web site and sync it the iPhone (or better yet, download it directly to the phone). I can understand Apple demanding their cut if your commercial application is actually hosted at the iTunes store---as long as they don't get too greedy about it.

 

[the_mole1314]

To everyone talking about the fact Podcasts don't take a cut and music does, remember, PODCASTS ARE HOSTED OUTSIDE OF APPLE'S SERVERS. Music isn't. I imagine that if you host your own apps Apple will not take a profit, but if you put it in the giant iTunes cloud in the sky and on their STORE, they'll take a profit. It only makes sense...

 

[mashinhead]

i can't believe the software is mac only, i can not believe they would alienate that many users especially since most these apps will work on touches.

 

[Peace]

i can't believe the software is mac only, i can not believe they would alienate that many users especially since most these apps will work on touches.

How do you sync your Touch ?

 

[i.mac]

i can't believe the software is mac only, i can not believe they would alienate that many users especially since most these apps will work on touches.

Time to get a macpro which can run windows alongside mac OS.

 

[lazyrighteye]

leopard only? thats terrible news.

'bout time apple made something mac only. Enough of this windows horse crap.

I think Leopard only is great news... in theory, it means more copies of Leopard out in the wild (or at least a few more copies of Leopard out there than had this been a Mac & PC-friendly SDK).
And more Leopard = more Macs.
And more Macs = a better planet.

Aside from that, the real message sent here is: we're entering the final stage(s) of the switcher campaign. And that is pretty exciting.

Looking back, the main "stages" of the switcher campaign were as follows:
<generalization>First there was iTunes - this got Mac users familiar with that concept/environment.

Then there were iPods - further familiarizing Mac users with iTunes and really establishing the iTunes ecosystem.

Then the iTunes/iPod went PC - this was pretty huge. It introduced the other side to the iTunes/iPod ecosystem. And no one really switched from PC to Mac because of this (which wasn't the point anyway). They had no reason to. They could run iTunes/iPods on their PCs. And that was the point: get PC users familiar with the ecosystem. Period. That said, there were still a few switchers that figured if iTunes & iPods were so easy to use, what's up with OS X?

Then came the "look, OS X has no viruses" message - this began to see some PC users start purchasing Macs.

Then came the "look, OS X runs Windows" message - leaving little reason for switchers to not make the leap of faith. In theory, if they just couldn't stand the ease and simplicity of OS X, they could always boot into a "more familiar to them" Windows environment for their daily does of blue screen of death.

And now, with more people using and switching to the Mac than at any time in history, the time seems ripe to begin implementing Mac-only offerings. Thus sealing the deal, if you will.</generalization>

**Shuffles off to buy more AAPL**

 

[lazyrighteye]

i can't believe the software is mac only, i can not believe they would alienate that many users especially since most these apps will work on touches.

Are you serious?
The SDK is Leopard-only.
The resulting apps will be Mac/PC.

 

[sotyrockz04]

theres a chat on aim called sdk08 anyone want to join just come =]

 

[wizard]

Wow, a constructive comment! Well done, go and get a gold star from teacher.

Now you are demonstrating why you didn't deserve much more than that comment.

Or not.

So... does anyone else think that if - and I stress if - Apple restricts the SDK to Macs and approved developers that they're kind of shooting themselves in the foot?

I don't see it as a problem at all. First; we don't know if this is just a short term issue or not. Second; as has been pointed out it is very possible to get into a low cost development platform.

I look at it this way if you are Apple and find out you are behind the eight ball with respect to customer demand then you need to react quickly. Focusing on just Mac OS lets them move along quickly. Even so I don't see it as a big deal.

Or is it just me?

Well since you asked, yes I think it is just you. We should know in a few minutes just exactly what Apples goals are but long term I don't think it makes much difference if MS development is supported at all.


Dave

 

[BongoBanger]

Aside from that, the real message sent here is: we're entering the final stage(s) of the switcher campaign. And that is pretty exciting.

You think?

Given that Apple's global PC market share remained pretty flat during XP's tenure and, despite the introduction of the disappointing Vista OS, market share in the US still on grew by 2% in the last 18 months I think you're being overly optimistic.

Apple aren't a mass market company as far as PCs go so that's going to limit their growth. In addition, until they allow OSX to be used on third party hardware they're never going to crack the business market.

In all honesty I think Apple have some tough times ahead: The iPod growth cycle is on a downward trend, iTunes - although the current market leader - is under threat from DRM free competitors and its laptop business still lags behind most of its competitors despite good growth. I'd also point out that only Toshiba failed to post a growth rate of 30% or more out of the top 9 manufacturers.

Apple need to look at future revenue streams and the iPhone clearly represents one. In addition, I do agree that Macs are getting more mainstream but there will always be that tradeoff between desirability and accessibility and price. Good news is that Desktop sales are beating the market though.

 

[BongoBanger]

Now you are demonstrating why you didn't deserve much more than that comment.

Hi, you're a bit late to the party but thanks anyway! Look, if someone's rude do you expect me to be polite back?

The rest of your points were covered earlier.

 

[chickenninja]

i like the idea of mac only, but when you leave out linux then you also alienate a portion of the freeware developers, and freeware is going to be very critical as the most powerful and influential demographic are high school students who dont have credit/debit cards and barely even convinced their parents to buy them iphones. they will need lots of freeware so they can trully exemplify the iphones capabilities to their friends.