iPhone native application developers, take heart: Apple doesn't hate you. And now you have a whole new device to play with.
Updated 3:15 PM: Apple says "software updates will most likely break" native apps as they go forwards.
Updated 1:15 PM: I just got a call from Joswiak who wanted to make clear: "not hate" doesn't mean "like" or "support." I think I made that clear further down, but they said that some people may not be reading all the way down this piece. So to summarize: Apple will neither forbid nor support native code on the iPhone/Touch. They will not design software updates specifically to break native apps, but if the updates happen to break native apps or your native apps turn your iPhone into a rutabaga, don't go crying to Apple, 'cause it ain't their problem. Capiche?
Original post: A couple of PC Magazine folks met with Apple marketing honcho Greg Joswiak yesterday to talk about the new iPods, and thrillingly, he had some answers to interesting questions.
First of all, the iPod Touch and iPhone use the same software platform - they're both running OS X on basically the same hardware, Joswiak said. My interpretation: They're the same platform the way a Mac Mini and Power Mac are the same platform. What Greg didn't say, but I surmise, is that means apps for the iPhone will likely work on the iPod Touch.
More after the jump, including Joswiak's perspective on native iPhone apps.
The iPod Touch does not have Bluetooth. Any images on the Internet that may have implied that it did were errors, Joswiak said. Also, there are no games coming for the iPod Touch right now.
I asked him about independent, native software development for the iPhone. He said Apple doesn't oppose native application development, which was new to me. Rather, Apple takes a neutral stance - they're not going to stop anyone from writing apps, and they're not going to maliciously design software updates to break the native apps, but they're not going to care if their software updates accidentally break the native apps either. He very carefully left the door open to a further change in this policy, too, saying that Apple is always re-examining its perspective on these sorts of things.
I pointed out that Apple delivers regular software updates to Macs, and that they don't break third-party software. He responded that Apple has a lot more experience with the Mac platform than they do with the iPhone platform. Also, the Mac platform being a PC, he said that consumer expectations absolutely demand third party software be available - though he looked a little wistful at that moment, as if wondering how peaceful the world would be if Apple actually controlled all the software on the Mac platform. Then he came back to reality.
I'm finding all of this very exciting, and very encouraging. Dozens of native apps are already available for the iPhone/iPod Touch platform - let's call it the "Mac Micro." Apple's moving slowly, but I think the direction is clear: this is a next-generation handheld PC platform, and by this time next year, we'll all be able to treat it as one.
Mixx It
Digg It
Stumble
More...
September 11, 2007 2:53 PM
Every 10.4.X update apple releases breaks applications. Professional Applications Also, Adobe Premiere, Avid, Pro Tools are all big examples of software that breaks at ever .X release.
September 11, 2007 3:12 PM
it would be nice to think that once Leopard is out, 3rd party apps on the iPhone/iTouch :) would be welcomed by Apple and accessible on the platform with their trademark ease of use.
Although I'd imagine network providers wouldn't be too overjoyed about a VoIP app on the iPhone.
September 11, 2007 4:11 PM
FYI in case it interests you in the least: the Italian word that means "do you understand?" is spelled capisce, not capiche.
September 11, 2007 5:08 PM
In case that both iPod touch and iPhone use the same software I have noticed that there is a confusion about some technical specifications regarding iPod touch. In US and UK Applestores there are different languages in the support page than those are in other countries, like France, Italian and German Applestores. A mistake have been made, but where is the correct info?
Concluding I am asking if the iPod touch is supporting the Greek language or not?
Some info from Greek iPhone buyers: the US iPhone is not supporting Greek.
Thanks in advance.
September 11, 2007 7:15 PM
MDJ-
Everyone knows that capisce is Portuguese not Italian!
September 11, 2007 8:21 PM
Wow. I have no idea, Dimitris. It's Greek to me.
The spelling was intended to reflect the thick Brooklyn accent I ended up writing the end of that update in. The word isn't Italian or Portuguese, it's New York English! Though maybe I should have spelled it "capeesh?" Opinion is divided around here.
September 11, 2007 9:43 PM
I outlined Six Reasons Why Apple May Never Open the iPhone, which indicated why Joswiak said what he did.
September 11, 2007 10:04 PM
Does anybody know if you can open a Shared iTunes library on the Touch (can you do it on the iPhone?)
September 12, 2007 8:31 AM
@Daniel:
My god, I wish I could have the 10 minutes back that I spent wasting reading your piece of crap. Your obvious pro-Apple, anti-MS bias was bad enough (I bet you slip "M$" into casual conversation, don't you?), but the holes of logic are big enough to drive the Exxon Valdez through - gaming consoles as a model for not allowing third party app development? Where would Nintendo, Sony and MS be without third party developers?
September 12, 2007 10:29 AM
@Daniel
Virus in windows mobile?
My God, you hate so much M$ that reading any text in your blog is really amusing.
September 12, 2007 11:49 AM
@Sascha
I figured you were intentionally misspelling it for the sake of a little jocularity, but I wasn't sure. Just wanted to do my part to educate the masses in the event you actually didn't know the correct usage.
September 12, 2007 8:13 PM
There is nothing new about Apple breaking important apps through new system software releases. It almost was routine in the 80's and 90's. Users of affected apps would be notified, the developers would develop patches and make them available, and user of such affected apps would hold off upgrading the OS until they could get their apps patched. Among the developers affected were Adobe and Microsoft.
iPhone developers and their customers will have to proceed as above.
September 12, 2007 9:56 PM
uhm as italian i'd conferm "capisce" as the correct spelling.
in more on-topic issues, i guess that this neither-love-nor-hate with third party developers is just the same old story. they'll just borderline change some ideas when they'll find out the KILLER 3rd party apps and they'll suddenly welcome some guys ... i mean, they still have the whole "profit" thing to be taken care of !
September 13, 2007 4:58 PM
@Fred:
"Where would Nintendo, Sony and MS be without third party developers?"
But there's a BIG difference between a game console and the Jesus phone. The difference being is that a console - be it an Xbox, Playstation or Wii - don't have much in the way of functionality without having a game disk inserted into them. The Jesus Phone is (allegedly) supposed to have pretty much everything it needs built into it.
So sayeth our lord and master, Steve Jobs, he who knoweth all, see-eth all, giveth all.
/sarcasm
September 13, 2007 5:12 PM
This is really a significant change in attitude WRT independent developers writing apps for mobile phones and I have to say that Apple is probably the only one who could get away with not being strong-armed into deliberately breaking ISV apps by AT&T.
Typically the carriers have hated developers, esp. independant ones and have severely restricted if not prohibited development of third-party apps on their phones.
@Daniel: Normally I love your column, but I think your oversight of the power that carriers have in dictating what devices they'll "certify" for their network and how easy/hard it is to develop for those devices is a pretty big hole.
@Gwydion/Fred: IMNSHO, M$ deserves all the hate they get.
September 14, 2007 6:39 PM
Capisce is Italian and the word for it in Portuguese is " Entende" ou " Compreende". There's not even a similar sounding word to Capisce in portuguese.
I'm Brazilian so I know what I'm talking about, entende?
September 15, 2007 7:04 PM
Sorry - I dont understand - are some of you saying that there are people who DONT hate M$?
How does that work?
September 24, 2007 7:41 AM
Listen, Apple will be much worse when they reach "critical mass" You think Microsoft is a slave driving monopoly, wait til Jobs 'n company take over.. ;) At least their stuff looks nice though!
BTW, this coming from a Quad Mac Pro user btw.
October 4, 2007 7:04 AM
I'm in love of this mobile!! The next month I'm going to boy this one!!
October 11, 2007 3:43 PM
"not hate" doesn't mean "like" or "support."
hate is the opposite of like. It's EKIL!!!
www.ihatemyiphone.com!!!
October 13, 2007 10:33 PM
I don't understand how Apple can be so greedy as to not allow 3rd parties anyway, and everyone hates microcrap, excuse me, microsoft.
March 1, 2008 10:23 AM
I don´t understand Apple too. If you "close" a operating system for developers, the system soon leak on new features. If the OS where open - many programmers will soon build more applications and the popularity of the iphone will rise - also consider more people to buy the phone.
March 15, 2008 2:56 AM
I'm Apple pro, too bad the software support for Apple is really hard to find here... that's why I'm still using microsoft windows
March 16, 2008 5:45 PM
Thanks a lot for all the usefully Informations. I can only say that the iPhone are very great and usefully mobile.
greetings fromm Germany,
Webdesign Düsseldorf
April 17, 2008 8:45 AM
I allready have my iphone - nice but expensive.
April 22, 2008 11:41 PM
I guess the developer should keep updating their native apps if they want people still use it
May 24, 2008 3:57 AM
Isn´t it a great toy for adult people?
June 3, 2008 4:22 PM
Although your post was written last year I still get conflicts with third party software when i update the firmware. Sort it out apple!
August 20, 2008 9:00 AM
I'm in love of this mobile!! The next month I'm going to boy this one!!
November 30, 2008 2:34 PM
Yes, it is a great toy - but not only for adults!