Well, Apple has already gotten some of our money. We purchased some Macs solely to develop an iPhone application for one of our endeavors. Now, though-- given the lag with even getting approval (so we can get to the stage of <i>installing</i> a test app on test phones), we're rapidly losing excitement about investing in the project.<p>And then there's this kicker-- once our team spends time developing it, there's a chance it won't even be allowed. Great!<p>He doesn't really mention in his post the fun fact that you've got to pay a fee so Apple can review/reject your app. Definitely not feeling warm and fuzzy about the investment so far.
Apple WILL change their tune, and the more users and developers complain and pressure them, the faster they will change their tune.<p>We know Apple's excuses ("we can't let you have open access, because someone might bad apps and we need to protect our users from themselves") are bullshit. Their competitors have had more open SDKs for <i>years</i> and none of Apple's doomsday scenarios have come to pass.<p>I'm personally hoping that when Adroid comes out with its own app store and open platform, it will finally convince people to stop excusing Apple's behaviour.
Reminds me of Apple's early days, when they didn't have an easy way for third parties to license their apps, their OS ended up without quality applications, and then Windows 3.1 ate their lunch... Anyone remember AmiPro?
As for me, I hope somebody builds a spectacular killer app for jailbroken iPhones so that part of the economy gets opened up. I love my iPhone and programming for it way too much.<p>Also, this dude seems to belong to the typical "elitist" Mac people group. "crapware written by hobbyist students" -- WTF! A student won the official Apple competition for best Mac / iPhone app or something like it.
> Loudly and conspicuously hire an App Store Evangelist<p>I agree, but I'd be surprised if we see it happen. Evangelists are needed all over the place and yet so few companies bother to hire any or attempt any serious relationships on social media and the like. Apple are also not known for their openness in situations like this. A lack of information gives them some sort of advantage, I guess.
Anytime your work needs approval to be live, you are in big trouble.<p>The problem is not Apple. The issue is the mobile industry. Everyone screams the Iphone is an open platform, but if you truly look at it, it is not significantly different.<p>You still have to go to an approval process and your application cannot compete with any Apple applications or future applications.
"I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that..."<p>The 5 real reasons to avoid iPhone 3G:<p><pre><code> * iPhone completely blocks free software. Developers must pay a tax to Apple, who becomes the sole authority over what can and can't be on everyone's phones.
* iPhone endorses and supports Digital Restrictions Management (DRM) technology.
* iPhone exposes your whereabouts and provides ways for others to track you without your knowledge.
* iPhone won't play patent- and DRM-free formats like Ogg Vorbis and Theora.
* iPhone is not the only option. There are better alternatives on the horizon that respect your freedom, don't spy on you, play free media formats, and let you use free software -- like the FreeRunner.
</code></pre>
<a href="http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/why-free-software-and-apples-iphone-dont-mix" rel="nofollow">http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/why-free-software-and-app...</a>
Personally I dont care about apps! There are a flood of them now and it seems reminiscent of all the Facebook apps that flooded that network - not for the better.<p>I just want an Internet mobile device that provides the full net experience in the palm of my hands; FLASH & VoiP access!
This is getting a little boring. Obviously Apple are going to reject apps that are a little too close to their existing apps, or might cause offense, or dumb down their product.<p>They built it, they own the ecosystem, so they get to decide.<p>Don't like it? Write a webapp instead.
After the first paragraph of reading this, all I could think of was "holy crap, this person has really just written every excuse in the book NOT to write iPhone apps."<p>There are a million excuses to not diet and exercise, to not do a startup, and to not do anything in life. Your job as an entrepreneur is to work around the obstacles. Give Apple an app that they can't afford to reject. Don't do anything stupid that would cause your app to get rejected.<p>Yes, better rules can always be written, but your job is to deliver kick ass apps to the public. GET 'R DONE!