AppleInsider StaffApple as early as Wednesday is expected to launch as part of its website a directory of official Web 2.0-based iPhone applications, AppleInsider has been told.
The submission processes is said to be very similar to that required of developers who submit their Dashboard widgets to Apple's official Dashboard downloads directory. In an effort to keep the initiative hush-hush, Apple has also reportedly 'sworn' these developers 'to secrecy.'
This latest move by the Cupertino-based company suggests that — at least for the time being — it is sticking to its guns regarding third party application development for its touch-screen handset — mainly that it discourages native application development in favor of Web-based applications that do not pose a threat to the stability of the iPhone operating system in general.
The move also appears to fall in line with recent claims by ArsTechnica, which last week cited sources in saying that Apple was working on solutions that will help developers gain more exposure for their Web-based iPhone apps, but presently holds no plans to issue a "true" software developers kit (SDK) that would allow for native third-party application development.
While the report suggested that Web app developers might eventually be able to create iPhone home screen icons that will point to their offline web apps, Apple could presumably also include a new home screen icon as part of a future iPhone software update that would jump users to its official directory of online applications.
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
54 Comments
WebApps are definitively not a solution for us in europe where internet access on the iPhone won't be unlimited.
Far out, bring it on. I want to start developing an iPhone web app of my own now! Hmm...
this web based app only stance from apple is truly insulting. like 'a real app is muuuuch to dangerous for you peopel...' > pathetic
this web based app only stance from apple is truly insulting. like 'a real app is muuuuch to dangerous for you peopel...' > pathetic
Complaining about iPhone's lack of support for native apps is really getting tiring. From the very first moment that Apple unveiled the iPhone, they described it as 3 things:
1) a phone
2) an iPod
3) an Internet Communicator
Nowhere have they said that it's a PDA or general-purpose computing platform. Sure, it would be nice if native apps were supported out of the gate, but most people really don't have a clue just how complex that device is. Apple will support native apps when they are in a position to do so.
Would you have preferred they waited until native app support was available? We wouldn't have the iPhone today.
Complaining about iPhone's lack of support for native apps is really getting tiring. From the very first moment that Apple unveiled the iPhone, they described it as 3 things:
1) a phone
2) an iPod
3) an Internet Communicator
Nowhere have they said that it's a PDA or general-purpose computing platform. Sure, it would be nice if native apps were supported out of the gate, but most people really don't have a clue just how complex that device is. Apple will support native apps when they are in a position to do so.
Would you have preferred they waited until native app support was available? We wouldn't have the iPhone today.
Very well said.