iPhone 4 Open Development

Today I did a little reading about the new iPhone Operating System update coming out this summer (iPhone OS version 4.) Currently, Apple is releasing a software development kit preview for developers.  The idea here is that they want to get the developer community building apps that use all of the new features.  What we don't know is if all iPhones will be upgradeable.  Like previous iPhone OS upgrades, you get some new features, but the best features only work on the newest hardware (which makes a degree of sense really.) So, I am certain getting people to upgrade their phones is one element of the iPhone ecosystem for Apple. So what surprises can we expect from Apple.  Here is a curveball I surely wasn't expecting.

According to Wired Magazine's Gadget Lab, Apple not only controls how you sell your custom apps for the iPhone, but now demands that you use their tools to build those apps. What does that really mean for developers? Imagine if you will that you just bought a new Sony TV.  Now that you get it home, imagine that you are completely unable to tune in anything other than public television or one other channel called the Sony Channel where Sony decides what's on TV. Well, a few TV show producers decide "Hey, I bet I could figure out cool ways to produce independant TV shows and get those shows on the Sony Channel." And, well... why not!?  It's a free country, isn't it? Well, in Apple's world... It's the United States of Steve Jobs.  And Chairman Jobs has declared that you can't build any more apps using any software not selected by Apple.

Here it is, leaked straight from the iPhone Software Developers Licensing Agreement:

3.3.1 — Applications may only use Documented APIs in the manner prescribed by Apple and must not use or call any private APIs. Applications must be originally written in Objective-C, C, C++, or JavaScript as executed by the iPhone OS WebKit engine, and only code written in C, C++, and Objective-C may compile and directly link against the Documented APIs (e.g., Applications that link to Documented APIs through an intermediary translation or compatibility layer or tool are prohibited).

First off, I haven't downloaded the Apple iPhone 4 developer SDK.  And if you did, then technically you have to sign a BETA Non-Disclosure Agreement that says you can't reprint what I pasted above.  Someone else leaked this and I am reprinting it here. So, first off, Apple seems to be attempting to eliminate the code-development competition, but honestly I don't think this is what it is about.  I think this is yet-another grudge-match-move between Apple and Adobe.  Adobe can't seem to get Flash approved to run on the iPhone, so they figured out a way to convert Flash apps INTO iPhone apps and now Apple says "Yeah, we won't allow that either." If you listen to Apple, Flash is "buggy" and that is why it isn't allowed to run on the iPhone.  Nobody buys that sad excuse anymore since we can see Flash running great on competitive Google Android phones.  I believe Apple won't let Flash on the Phone because people will just download or visit Flash sites for utility and entertainment rather than go buy more apps from the Apple iTunes App Store!

Is this move against the law?  I don't think so.  It is really irritating, however!  Is it really deceptive and unnecessarily limiting to iPhone owners? You know it is. If anything, I think there might be questions about the iTunes app store becoming a text-book monopoly. But mostly I think, if people are willing to pay attention, Apple is doing an unnecesarily evil thing and people shouldn't settle for an expensive mobile device that has such self-imposed owner-limiting capabilities, especially because most of the features in this new version of the iPhone are simply playing catch-up to the capabilities of the Google Android mobile phones (I am refering to things like UI changes and Apples lack-luster version of multitasking.)

Another player worth keeping an eye on is Windows Phone 7.  This is the completely reimagined microsoft mobile platform.  If you have ever owned an iPaq (like me) and think your iPhone beats it out, hands down (like my iPhone beat down my iPaq) don't think Windows Phone 7 is a rebranded same-old. They started over completely with most of the features everyone is looking for today: multitouch, social networking (mashed-up in an interesting new manner), and a great new looks that rivals the usability of any new mobile phone. But Windows Phone 7 is a little slow on delivery and while Apple's iPhone 4 isn't out yet either, I can say that this disappointing revelation about iPhone app development proves to me that Apple is more interested in controlling revenue and competition than it is interested in avoiding getting an "evil" reputation.

Right now there are a few ways to build iPhone applications where the solutions are not written in C, C++, Objective-C, and that are written using intermediary translation or compatibility layers and tools.  One of those companies is called "Appcelerator."  Because I have downloaded the titanium development tool, I was privilaged enough to get this email tonight on this very topic:

steve:

First, and most important: we value each and every one of you. As always, we will do everything within our power to ensure that Appcelerator Titanium remains the best platform to enable each of you to develop mobile and desktop applications on. Should any issue arise that may affect our community, you can expect that we will be as proactive, transparent, and forthcoming as possible.

Now to the issue at hand. As part of its announcement this morning, Apple proposed updating its Terms of Service for iPhone OS 4.0. Since iPhone 4.0 is still in beta, both the APIs and the Terms of Service are covered under NDA, so we cannot speak to specifics or Apple's intent with its proposed language. However, these terms are subject to clarification and change by Apple up through its official launch, which looks to be mid-summer. Until iPhone 4.0 is actually released, we will work with Apple to ensure that we abide by any updates to its Terms of Service, just as we have done successfully in the past.

We know that you put a lot of trust in Appcelerator and effort into your applications. You have our commitment that we will do everything possible to ensure that Titanium remains the outstanding platform for cross-platform application development for years to come. We will update you with more information as soon as we gain a clearer understanding of today's announcement. Until that time, iPhone OS 3.2 remains the officially released SDK and 3.2 is still the official Terms of Service. All apps written under 3.2 are in accordance with these terms and all apps written to date for 3.2 have been approved.

Please feel free to reach out to us on our blog, via Twitter, or via email with any questions. Thanks for everyone’s support and well wishes today.

Sincerely,
Jeff Haynie
CEO

I guess we will wait and see what happens.  In the mean time I will be passing the word about this rediculous Apple decision. We will see if they change their ways or if they simply confirm to us that they choose revenue over not being evil.