Have an account? Log in to leave your comments!
thinkback
You’re right, security is a consideration, and I guess I should have defined what I mean by “open”: developers have a documented API and tools to work with, and don’t have to hack into the closed system. It doesn’t mean that the floodgates have to be open, so to speak.
So yeah, security is a consideration, but there are solutions to that. Perhaps Apple could require apps to be digitally signed by them before they can run on an iPhone? Or maybe Apple can implement something similar Microsoft’s XNA, where anyone can download the developer’s kit, but you need to register with Apple in order for the software to run on an iPhone; otherwise they can only run it on, say, a sandbox on the developer’s Mac or PC:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_XNA
The important part is this: people want third-party apps on their iPhone. It would be foolish of Apple to not support these efforts in some way. It can be done securely.
| Nick | Sep. 29, 2007 | |
| 12:22 pm |
I do hope that Apple will provide a means to create applications. But, I want Apple to prevent a free-for-all attitude, too.
Partly, these issues need time to resolve. Apple may have cracked the whip now because people were spouting that they had rights that do not exist. We do not know what agreements that Apple signed in the background that prevent a wide open system. Getting the iPhone going was a Herculean task; Apple may have had to make compromises to get all its ducks in a row.
What we need is some kind of vetting system where applications can be submitted for approval. The really bad software can be rejected and Apple takes a cut of the revenues generated by selling those licensed apps through its iTunes Music Store. That would be more controlled than Microsoft’s XNA. But, we don’t want to turn this into a nest for malware creators either. Do you object to such a vetting system?
5.
Tracked: corporate event ideas
Deep Thought: Everyone wins with an open iPhone
Tracked on: corporate event ideas at 02-Feb-13 16:56 PM
1.
Does the iPhone have some special considerations that the established Macintosh computer does not? Yes.
Daniel Eran Dilger of http://www.roughlydrafted.com says that there are two problems that Apple has which prevents an open system: security problems and crappy third party applications.
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/RD/TechQ307/E ntries/2007/9/11_Why_Apple_May_Never_Open_the_iP hone.html
If the iPhone is as successful as Apple seems to believe then 10 million iPhones sole by the end of 2008 is just the beginning. Some analysts suggest 60 to 100 million iPhones sold in five years. It would be a disaster if they all went down from a virus. The time to squash the security bug is before you get big, So, Apple is strict now, but may loosen up later once the iPhone as a good ecosystem built up.
Daniel also says that unregulated game programs in the 1980 cheapened the brand name of early game systems because the manufacturers did not police the quality of new software.
The iPhone is three months old. I have no doubt that Apple has surprises in store for us. They are likely to sell licensed third party software through iTMS. But, Apple is likely to control the image of the iPhone.
A wide open iPhone may be useful for early adopters who tend to be hobbyists. But an open iPhone can create a situation where the general public’s interests may be harmed. This is not as simple a proposal as you think. An open iPhone maybe in your interest, but not in everyone’s as your title says.