More app store drama... Looks like Apple is creating some developer frustration and flames with it's monopolistic control of the only sales channel for iPhone Apps.The short of the story is an app (Podcaster) written by a third party developer (Almerica) allows users to download and listen to podcasts on the iPhone in real time was rejected by Apple for App Store listing on the basis that it was guilty of "alleged duplication of iTunes functionality", which is prohibited and part of the the Apple Developer rules.
So where's the drama?
This is a tricky one, Podcaster does
not actually duplicate iTunes functionality perse. Currently playback
of podcasts is only allowed thru pre-configuration of the selected
podcast in iTunes on your desktop then syncing your iPhone and is not
exactly efficient or timely. The Podcaster App, differed by
allowing the user to select and listen to podcasts without iTunes and
premeditation. Imagine you're in Bryant Park and you feel like using
the free wireless network there to listening to todays WNYC podcast of The Brian Lehrer Show? Well, not chance without third party App. The Podcaster App
did away with the sync process and let the user connect directly to the
podcast at their lesuire. The difference in the two methods is both
large and significant, but Apple did not seems to think so.
Now, I make it no secret that I love what Apple has done over the last year and half, they moved the game forward and the future is much brighter for mobile consumers because of it. However, Apple is treading a very fine line with its "closed source" mentality. Many developers, the heart of iPhone Apps success, are starting to whisper about the numerous limitations Apple has placed on them in regards to the functionality they can implement within the iPhone SDK, and now Apple is further limiting developers by simply rejecting their Apps outright.
I know this is just one well documented case, and who knows, maybe the Podcaster App was poorly written and sucked anyway. But, I personally know several developers who have moaned about the inherent limitations Apple has placed on iphone development enviorment and App Store submission process.
Enter Android
Google's new phone called the
G1 has all the potential to be as good as the iPhone and will be available nation wide within a month. The G1 shares many core design
feature as the iPhone and just like the iPhone, the G1's OS (called
Android) has a developer SDK. The iPhone is still several years ahead
of Android in terms of maturity, but if Google is less restrictive and
allows developers to have access to more aspects of the phones features
and allow more adventurous applications in the App Market we may well
see developers move over.
Apple may have the upper hand in HW and SW quality control, but it may not matter if Google's Android SDK enviorment is more embracing of developer innovation.
Just something to think about...
Now, I make it no secret that I love what Apple has done over the last year and half, they moved the game forward and the future is much brighter for mobile consumers because of it. However, Apple is treading a very fine line with its "closed source" mentality. Many developers, the heart of iPhone Apps success, are starting to whisper about the numerous limitations Apple has placed on them in regards to the functionality they can implement within the iPhone SDK, and now Apple is further limiting developers by simply rejecting their Apps outright.
I know this is just one well documented case, and who knows, maybe the Podcaster App was poorly written and sucked anyway. But, I personally know several developers who have moaned about the inherent limitations Apple has placed on iphone development enviorment and App Store submission process.
Enter Android
Google's new phone called the
G1 has all the potential to be as good as the iPhone and will be available nation wide within a month. The G1 shares many core design
feature as the iPhone and just like the iPhone, the G1's OS (called
Android) has a developer SDK. The iPhone is still several years ahead
of Android in terms of maturity, but if Google is less restrictive and
allows developers to have access to more aspects of the phones features
and allow more adventurous applications in the App Market we may well
see developers move over.Apple may have the upper hand in HW and SW quality control, but it may not matter if Google's Android SDK enviorment is more embracing of developer innovation.
Just something to think about...