iPhone to get third party apps
By Ryan Block 
posted May 30th 2007 7:41PM
posted May 30th 2007 7:41PM
Just in case you missed Walt Mossberg's sitdown with Steve Jobs earlier today, but in the open Q&A his Jobsness was asked point blank about the openness of the iPhone, and whether users can expect their $600 cellphone to be able to add on third party apps. His reply?"This is an important tradeoff between security and openness. We want both. ... we'll find a way to let 3rd parties write apps and still preserve security on the iPhone. But until we find that way we can't compromise the security of the phone. ... I've used 3rd party apps... the more you add, the more your phone crashes. No one's perfect, and we'd sure like our phone not to crash once a day. If you can just be a little more patient with us I think everyone can get what they want."
You heard it folks, Apple's working on allowing third party devs into the hallowed ground of the iPhone. One big issue (kind of) down, now we've just got to work on getting that thing a real keyboard and some 3G.
Re: Craig - "Of course, we should all now believe they will rewrite history and thumb keyboards will soon be considered quaint."
it wouldn't be rewriting history. if (theoretically) thumb keyboards are soon considered quaint, that will be the progression of events that change current notions. how in the world would that be REwriting history?
get off your tiny little soapbox.
"Apple lovers will live in denial"? - my guess is that it'll be the nay-sayers that continue to live in denial, but we'll have to wait see. at this point it's all speculation, and it seems to me that your version of the future is so much more spiteful. :P
Re: Craig - "Of course, we should all now believe they will rewrite history and thumb keyboards will soon be considered quaint."
it wouldn't be rewriting history. if (theoretically) thumb keyboards are soon considered quaint, that will be the progression of events that change current notions. how in the world would that be REwriting history?
get off your tiny little soapbox.
"Apple lovers will live in denial"? - my guess is that it'll be the nay-sayers that continue to live in denial, but we'll have to wait see. at this point it's all speculation, and it seems to me that your version of the future is so much more spiteful. :P
Current history has the thumb keyboard rendering the soft keyboard "quaint". For the opposite to happen simply because Apple says so would be a rewrite.
If I'm on a "soapbox" it certainly is a big one considering all those who are on it with me. The ones in denial are those who blindly believe how great this new keyboard will be from Apple because Jobs says so. Those of us who've used them before know that they suck.
THANK YOU!
I wish more people would realize this! My girlfriend works at a convenience store that has a sign that says not to use cell phones while in line. You would not believe how many times she gets treated like she's evil because of it. Yes, she actually enforces it, too.
I'm an early twentysomething myself... 21 to be exact. I think it's rude to multitask in pretty much any manner when holding a conversation. Typing on a phone while talking face to face with someone is extremely rude.
I will admit, I do (rarely) use my cell phone while driving, but it is only when I absolutely have to, the call will be very short (less than 30 seconds), and there is not a lot of traffic. Eating while driving is a definite no-go, though.
Water that won't wet? Here you go:
http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:6K0SiDfo37cJ:www.nature.com/physics/highlights/6840-1.html+non-wetting+water&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us&client=opera
"Every aspect of the iPhone is the finest engineering and design quality available in a mass produced product. A 1990's retarded little plastic keyboard is not in the same universe as the iPhone."
Wow joe, does Steve's pubes tickle your nose? Seriously bud, if you actually believe in what you've posted here, you need to drop that cock long enough to take an occasional breath, you appear a little light-headed.
iFoleo anyone?
The only people who are not blind are the one's who are saying "Let's wait and see". You are blind by saying it definitely will suck, others are blind for saying it definitely will not suck. Skepticism is key. Having no skepticism will either get you stuck with a product that sucks because you thought it would rock, cuz Jobs said.. or will have you missing out on an amazing product because you were too close-minded to give it a fair shot..
The real winners are the ones that wait until it comes out, try it out, then make an unbiased decision on it's quality. Those are the people that will truly be happy with the products they buy.
"The only people who are not blind are the one's who are saying "Let's wait and see"."
Hardly. They say that because they have no argument otherwise. Touchscreen has been done before and all that's left is to lie about it.
There is no need to be a fool in order to prove you have an open mind. We learn from our observations, except apparently when it comes from Apple. Those of us who criticise the keyboard have used one before. What is the basis of those who say otherwise? Their belief that Apple can't produce a crappy product? Who's blind here?
Besides, waiting is something we will all do regardless of out opinions today.
BTW, I'm full of skepticism and I own and use Apple products. There are many reasons for "missing out" on the iPhone, only one of which is the keyboard. The iPhone may well be a good product despite its keyboard but fanboys must insist that everything about the iPhone will be revolutionary, just as they insist that everything Apple does is better than anything done by anyone else...just as they insist that we give them the benefit of the doubt because they are Apple.
"The real winners are the ones that wait until it comes out, try it out, then make an unbiased decision on it's quality. Those are the people that will truly be happy with the products they buy."
Right, because we all know that our first impressions of cellphones are unfailingly accurate. Dream on. I see through your disguise.
There is nothing wrong with recognizing the iPhone for what it is--a nice form factor, attactive with a very good screen, complete iPod integration but with a comprimised keyboard, no GPS and slow data rates. All phones are comprimises and the iPhone is no different. What is different is that it comes from Apple and therefore people feel obligated to argue that everything about it is revolutionary and desirable. It's not. You will immediately recognize that its multitouch is a gimmick, its keyboard not suitable for heavy texting, and its great screen needing better data alternatives. That doesn't mean it won't be a good device for some people, just that it won't be a good device for all people.
You sure are something else... So, because (every) implementation of a touch screen keyboard in the past has failed, there is no chance of someone actually getting it right? Maybe Apple will actually get it right. Maybe not.
Honestly, I don't own any apple products. Not one. Does that mean they all suck? No. Definitely not. They are just not for me. Apple computer? Windows-based laptops work fine for me and are generally cheaper. iPod? I found an mp3 player with more features that I like for a lot cheaper.
Everyone has different requirements of a device. If this device works wonderful and has a subpar keyboard, so what? Some people don't send 500 texts a day.
"Right, because we all know that our first impressions of cellphones are unfailingly accurate. Dream on. I see through your disguise."
I did not say that first impressions are always accurate, but trying products will generally leave you more satisfied than if you pick a random one off the shelf and buy it. Based on what I've heard, I almost purchased a Moto RAZR. I decided I'd try it first. I didn't like it. I bought a cheaper phone that has more features that work for me, and, overall, a better phone for ME. If I would have bought the RAZR, I would have been unhappy with it and would have missed out on the phone I did buy.
You are sitting there arguing about exactly what I'm saying. It's not going to be for everyone. The people that bash it (or any of it's features) before trying them are the one's who lose, ultimately.
"There is no need to be a fool in order to prove you have an open mind."
Right, because trying a product out to see if you like it makes you a fool. Who knows, the fool may be you one day when, after buying a $500 phone with a flimsy keyboard, you actually give the iPhone a shot and realize the keyboard does work (Not saying it will, but the possibility is there)... all because you were too stuck on your opinion to try it out.
"You are sitting there arguing about exactly what I'm saying. It's not going to be for everyone."
Actually, I'm arguing that the iPhone will have a crappy keyboard and won't be good as a texting device. I've also argued that it is closed to 3rd party development which it certainly is. I've never argued that the iPhone won't be a good device for some people. I'd even consider buying it myself except that I don't want Cingular. The problem here is that the sheep insist that everything about the iPhone is sent directly from God simply because it's an Apple product. The iPhone is only superficially unlike other phones, it is really the same device as many that have come before it although in a prettier package. This is what I said:
"There is nothing wrong with recognizing the iPhone for what it is--a nice form factor, attactive with a very good screen, complete iPod integration but with a compromised keyboard, no GPS and slow data rates. All phones are compromises and the iPhone is no different."
I don't know why you are trying to paint me as closed-minded about this. I have owned phones similar to the iPhone before.
"Right, because trying a product out to see if you like it makes you a fool. Who knows, the fool may be you one day when, after buying a $500 phone with a flimsy keyboard, you actually give the iPhone a shot and realize the keyboard does work (Not saying it will, but the possibility is there)... all because you were too stuck on your opinion to try it out."
I have tried out the iPhone, I even lived with the first version of that device for nearly a year when it came out many years ago. The market has had a continual supply of large-screen, keyboard-less smartphones for many years now and they even come with a huge 3rd party library of software. I have also tried slider phones and Treo-style phones and not one of those phones has had a "flimsy keyboard". You are living in fantasyland.
By the way, a T-mobile Dash costs $199 last time I checked. It does everything the iPhone promises to do, does things the iPhone doesn't, has a large 3rd party software base and development tools, already runs the iPhone's "killer app" (Google maps), offers the same data options, has a real keyboard, and uses less-costly T-mobile service plans. If you are hoping that I'll be made a fool of with my over-priced, flimsy-keyboard iPhone-envying whatever, I'd say the odds are seriously against you. It would help for you to take a real look at what's actually available on the market.
This is a good and bad thing. The bad being that (more than likely) we'll have to pay for any 3rd party apps, because Apple is gonna charge special licensing fees and such to ensure the platform remains "secure." I'd be more content with 3G and the lack of 3rd party apps personally.
The only bad thing i have to say about the keyboard is you will have to look at it while typing, which will consume time, and the battery i talk on my phone more than 5 hours everyday so this phone wont be good for me period. unless this is going to have an attachable battery to give it some more talk time i dont think people are going to like it.
Also another i'd give a million dollars to bet if this was released by Noki, motorola, sony or even microsoft everybody would be bashing the shit out of the phone. The only reason its getting as much attention as it has is because its made by apple.
read the tech spec.
http://www.apple.com/iphone/technology/specs.html
Yeah, it says "Input method multi-touch". What a detailed "tech spec" and such helpful input on your part.
Despite your "evidence" to the contrary, the iPhone keyboard is not multitouch. The demo videos are available for all to see.
Human resistant for change… who would have imagined that we will be able to use small mobile phones in the 60s to type in our messages. It will work for those who want it to work and it won't for those who will keep resisting to change
Well... We have seen the Touch Screen Keyboard in the Keynote! not at all a problem.
Well... Just in case some one hates my answer ...
REPLY
OK, there's a problem with Steve's comment that adding 3rd party apps to the iPhone could cause it to crash and I'm surprised no one's pointed it out (or maybe they have and I didn't catch it when I skimmed the comments). This is it:
3rd party apps do not cause OS X to crash. So why would they cause the iPhone to crash?
If the iPhone is in fact running Mac OS X (which Apple repeatedly claims that it is) then 3rd party apps should not be able to bring down the iPhone's OS. Yes, 3rd party apps can crash on OS X, but that doesn't bring down the whole OS. So why would this be any different on the iPhone?
Hello All.
I humbly agree with Craig. Here is the truth in Apple's track record- They have been pulling the MS strategy by creating locked proprietary devices, releasing gen after gen of ipod. Why so many generations? Because they know you trusting fanboys will buy the new one, instead of growing testicles and saying, I'm not going to buy it until you add all of the features that consumers are demanding. Apple has earned NO benefit of the doubt here-they are focused on the bottom line and cattle- herding as Microsoft is notorious for throughout history.
Touch Screen Keyboard- Maybe a little bit better with multi-touch, but, the probability is that it will still be infererior to a keyboard or a thumboard. That has been the standard, you must function on evidence and fact in debate, blind trust for Steve Jobs with your soul does not address the argument in anyway shape or form. Jesus wants you to buy an iphone, he swears the keyboard is awesome.
Apple is not and has not been known for the past 5 years for "consumer-focused" innovation. They are more focused on locking you into the box with AT&T. You'll see that they will use the iphone and apple TV together, with the iphone as a remote viewer and apple TV as "slingbox". Together with AT&T IPTV, it is already in the works. Enjoy the subscription fees macfans of the world- bend over and take it again as the saga continues. Thank God for Ubuntu and other flavors of Linux, and I say that as a responsible ipod lover and MS Windows XP & Vista user. Linux is the blue pill-time to take it-especially as soon as googles linux based phone, and web OS are release-shhhh!!! Don't tell!
NO 3g-Why?-The answer. Battery life and, battery life and, smokin the reefer-not lol super troopers. AT&T needs to make money too, Some of my clients lobby for AT&T and I have been told that Apple wanted to retain most of the control over the device-surprise surpise-and as a trade-off, due to the battery issue, and the presumption that wifi access is on the rise, AT&T and Apple agreed to the no 3G. You know why? Guess who charges for wifi hot spot access-AT&T. So excuse me if I don't support a device or a company that is seeking to enslave consumers with subscription fees all wrapped up in cute packages. I am not fooled so easily. So when you are bending over, remember when you are thanking Steve Jobs to hold your tongue and say "apple" at the same time, and you'll be giving him the respect he deserves.
In the words of Ace Ventura- "Yess!!!Yess!!Can you feel that baby! Can you feel that! This house.. is clean!"
L337 member of the corporate underground-who moonlights as a man dressed as a bat, preserving consumer freedoms, promoting free file sharing technologies, community shared wifi and open source solutions across the planet
-Nick aka B@TM@N
The keyboard is the only thing I'm worried about. Not that the touch one looks cheap or awful, but if I'm wanting to take notes in class or a meeting, I don't want to have to break out my laptop or, heaven forbid, paper and pen. I would like to see an external keyboard and some sort of note-taking program. Even without it, I still want one really, really bad.
"We'll find a way to make it work..."
Translated: We're feverishly trying to find a way to make a buck off of everything that you put on your phone and until then, NO SOUP FOR YOU!!!!
While true that a physical keyboard is easier to use, the iphone's virtual only takes a few minutes to use. You people who've never used an iphone need to quit your bitching and shut up. No smart phone comes even close. Period.