Apple adds OTA podcast downloads to iPhone firmware 2.2, continues to burn developers

Oh Apple. Is it that you can't see the things you're doing, or that you simply don't care how they look? If you'll recall, few months ago Jobs and co. kicked up quite a dust storm over a seemingly innocuous application called Podcaster, which allowed you to receive over-the-air updates of new podcasts when they were released. The company rejected the app based on the grounds that it "duplicates the functionality of the Podcast section of iTunes," a claim that seemed unreasonable at the time, and should now feel downright criminal. According to a German blog which has posted pictures of the latest beta build of firmware 2.2, Apple has included functionality which allows you to download podcasts over-the-air. The new addition works with both video and audio, and over 3G / EDGE and WiFi, though the size of podcasts is limited to 10MB when using the cell network. Now we don't pretend to assume that Apple just got this idea after seeing Podcaster in action -- and it's clear that Apple is killing projects which are similar to its own -- but it's still hard to stomach the concept of the company outright refusing an application with nearly the exact same functionality, only to turn around and add it to their installed software. This kind of veiled violence against developers only serves to chip away at the support Apple has engendered in its community, and drive those hands and eyes to other platforms. C'mon Steve -- we know you can do better than this.

[Via Mac Rumors]

[Valicore @ Nov 6th 2008 12:38PM]

Man, Apple is getting to be just as bad as Microsoft.

[Dave @ Nov 6th 2008 12:51PM]

Nah, way worse. Can you imagine the backlash if Microsoft simply made it impossible to install Firefox?

[Ordeith @ Nov 6th 2008 1:05PM]

Microsoft has never been as bad as Apple. They recognize the need for developers to suport their platforms and go out of their way to work with them.

If they see something they like they usually try to buy it and rebrand it. At least the creator gets some reward in that case. And if it doesn' t work out the creator might find themselves in competition with MS but the OS isn't going to stop allowing the competing application to be installed and MS isn't going to stop supporing the developer.

And that is even worse case.

[Matt @ Nov 6th 2008 1:14PM]

If you know anything about software development cycles they most likely had this in the works long before Podcaster had its first line of code written.

[Jeff @ Nov 6th 2008 1:22PM]

Exactly what Matt said.

[Testies, Testies, 1, 2... 3? @ Nov 6th 2008 1:32PM]

Apple just keeps confirming that switching to the G1 was the right move...


Thanks Apple, for making the "switch" even easier!

[Alan Strangis @ Nov 6th 2008 1:33PM]

@ Matt: So now devs have to add predicting what Apple may or may not develop in the future, to their bag of tricks to ensure that a perfectly cromulent app doesn't get banned?

Sounds great. ;)

[andy @ Nov 6th 2008 1:41PM]

Why are we even talking about the Iphone? They screw developers, they screw the consumer, they should be screwing themselves. When will you fanboys learn>?

[Matt @ Nov 6th 2008 1:53PM]

@Alan Strangis Unfortunately it seems that way. They definitely need to publish acceptance guidelines (or have a front-line gatekeeper) so developers don't spend resources on a project only to see it banished like Podcaster. I think Podcaster is a bad example because it blatantly tries to alter (improve) existing functionality.

[Darren @ Nov 6th 2008 1:59PM]

It would have been much worse for all parties involved if Apple had hidden their intentions to improve iPod podcasts. Both developers and consumers don't want to waste time and money on superfluous software.

Apple said they blocked Podcaster because it duplicated functionality in iPod, and it turns out they were right. As of 2.2 Podcaster has no purpose, and it would be wrong for people to waste money on it.

Apple would have a much more serious problem on their hands, both with developers and consumers, if the Podcaster app had actually been released, so it should surprise no one that they blocked it when they did.

But the Engadget peanut gallery is outraged for some reason.

[Quix @ Nov 6th 2008 2:25PM]

Wow, the Microsoft apologetics by Engadget commenters is getting nauseating these days.

Tell me, brainiacs, does Microsoft allow you to install a bunch of stuff on your Xbox 360 at your whim and pleasure, with no control by Redmond? How about on your Zune? Yeah, please get back to me on that. Or don't.

Apple worse than Microsoft, give me a friggen break.

You people are clowns. With keyboards.

Now, do your duty and vote me down. Darren, the reason the Engadget peanut gallery is enraged is because they are rabid Apple-hating tools without an original thought in their MS-conditioned heads.

Astroturf Different.

[Flunky Carter @ Nov 6th 2008 2:29PM]

@Ordeith If i'm not mistaken, coverflow was a feature that apple bought from a 3rd party developer.

[ften @ Nov 6th 2008 2:42PM]

@Quix

Thanks for the ridiculous examples. Try this;
"Tell me, brainiacs, does Microsoft allow you to install a bunch of stuff on your Windows Mobile phone at your whim and pleasure, with no control by Redmond?"
Oh right it does...

-Clown with a keyboard

[jon @ Nov 6th 2008 2:46PM]

@ Quix
Yeh, because the iphone realy compares to the xbox 360. How about actually comparing it to a phone like Windows Mobile, then YES microsoft lets you install w/e the hell you want. And just because, yeh I can install anything I want on the zune by a very much microsoft supported program called xna http://creators.xna.com/en-us/zune_development that is a little outdated but it still says the point.

[Quix @ Nov 6th 2008 3:19PM]

OK braintards, let me break it down for you since you obviously have basic logic deficiencies. The reason I used the Xbox and Zune vs. iPhone example is because ALL THREE ARE HARDWARE + SOFTWARE FROM THE SAME VENDOR!!! They all feature an integrated hardware/software model. Which, of course, Microsoft used to moan about. Until PlaysForSure got kicked to the curb and they jumped on the iPod Train. But no, you don't cry about Microsoft controlling the Xbox and the Zune - you only cry about Apple controlling the iPhone. And you surely won't be crying about the Holy ZunePhone when it makes its debut. Which it surely will. iPhone Train, you know.

The hypocrisy would be funny if it weren't so sad.

Oh, and I can install anything I want on my Mac - but that would hurt your "Apple keeps complete control" argument. Maybe throw in the fact that you can swap the video card in your PC, you know, just like you can in your Windows Mobile phone! Oh wait...

You people are a scourge on intelligent thinking.

Vote me down. Again. Because hitting that red minus button is about all your puny brains can muster.

[Stefan @ Nov 6th 2008 5:31PM]

Quix: You are a retard . Seriously

[allislost @ Nov 6th 2008 11:37PM]

Wow! Quix is so fucken stupid!

I bet he still pees in his bed! HA!

[chefgon_ign @ Nov 7th 2008 7:33AM]

Quix has this really weird tendency to compare platforms from completely different verticals, then somehow accuse the rest of us for being idiots because we hypothetically said that it was okay for the nonexistant Zunephone to have software lockdown.

Then there's something about installing a new video card into your cell phone.. which was probably an attempt at an intelligent thought.. but hell if I can figure out what that thought was supposed to be. Don't hurt yourself, Quix, we know you're trying really hard.

Maybe his godlike logic is just too much for my puny brain to comprehend. I guess I'll just hit that red minus button instead, that seems to be all I can muster.

[Flashpoint @ Nov 6th 2008 12:38PM]

I'm still in 1.1.4 waiting for ziPhone to give a jailbreak with 2.1 OS

[muzhik @ Nov 6th 2008 12:41PM]

LOL ^^^

[jeff @ Nov 6th 2008 12:51PM]

What a noob. zibri isnt doing anything. Just use quickpwn/winpwn/pwnage like everyone else.

[adriaaan @ Nov 6th 2008 6:03PM]

If possible you are an even bigger idiot than Quix a few posts above you.

Zibri can die in a fire.

[Rob Conway @ Nov 6th 2008 8:52PM]

um yeah, excuse me Flashpoint, but 2.1 has been unlocked and jailbroken for quite some time now by the iPhone Dev Team with the Pwnage tool. I've used it perfectly on 2 different first gen iPhones, more that once on each and have had zero trouble. They've even software jailbroken (not unlocked) the 3G iPhone, and you can easily use a sim unlock tool to easy get around that. Not to mention that ZiPhone was one of the buggiest unlocks for 1.4. So what exactly are you waiting for?

[waiownsyou @ Nov 6th 2008 12:42PM]

Those are nice new features but they should work on fixing core problems with stuff already present.

- The camera takes 30 years to load and image quality worse since like 1.0.2
- Fix text messaging problem: I've looked like a fool so many times because I thought I sent the message to the wrong person but if you hit back right after you send a text message, it'll display in the wrong person's message list
- Get GPS to not be jumpy!
- Fix mixed calls. I've ended up calling people I've never heard of by calling regular people on my contact list
- Wireless sync would be better than wireless podcast!
- Give an option to turn off the accelerometer

... and more basic stuff but MEHHHHHHHHH

[waiownsyou @ Nov 6th 2008 1:13PM]

Oh and I'd be happy to have picture messaging over copy & paste. Even the free phones can do that!

[Chroma @ Nov 6th 2008 12:43PM]

Cool, the only reason I plug my phone into my computer is to download daily podcasts. Now I'll have to do it only once a week, that is, once this comes out in a few months.

[jjpmann @ Nov 6th 2008 12:43PM]

wow what will they think of next

[rock99rock @ Nov 6th 2008 1:25PM]

You mean, what will they take that someone else thinks of next.

For those of you who dont know, Live TV is available for the iPhone 3g via the OrbLive app in the appstore. FREAKING AWESOME.

(TV tuner required for home computer, or IR Blaster to DVR with audio/video feed back to video card.)

[muzhik @ Nov 6th 2008 12:44PM]

_they all want c-o-n-t-r-o-l over your device_

[Jeff @ Nov 6th 2008 12:45PM]

What about weatherbug? doesnt that duplicate the functionality of the weather app?

[Chroma @ Nov 6th 2008 1:22PM]

I always wondered that too,hmmm...

[Andrew Corcoran @ Nov 6th 2008 1:26PM]

I don't think the issue is duplicating functionality, but more like throttling bandwidth. Podcasts limited to 10M? The ones I download, and I can think of about five/six, are 45 minutes long at minimum. Those won't get downloaded, because they're too big. By forcing a limit on the size of a file you can download, it prevents people from pounding the ATT network with traffic constantly. It seems like Apple's control over applications is them yielding to pressure of the AT&T data network as opposed to preventing development. This would explain why Opera hasn't been released. They might work Flash support into Opera, and then you have a widespread bandwidth issue again.

[pavlindrom @ Nov 6th 2008 1:41PM]

only if on the 3G / EDGE. don't you have access to wifi? That will help.

[Andrew Corcoran @ Nov 6th 2008 1:56PM]

Sure, it'll break it out on wifi. But if you have access to wifi, you probably have access to a computer. Granted, that's a big presupposition, but I'm willing to guess you'd rather download a podcast with itunes or some other program rather than fumbling on the iphone to do it, given a side-by-side option.

[Darren @ Nov 6th 2008 2:08PM]

Consumers already know about the built in weather app, therefore it's up to them whether they want to spend money on an app that duplicates the functionality.

Consumers don't know about soon-to-be-released iPod improvements, so it makes complete sense that Apple would try to prevent their customers from wasting money on a feature that's about to be released for free.

I wouldn't be surprised if Apple allowed the Podcaster app after OS 2.2 is released, but at that point I don't think the developer bother to continue to develop it, and I doubt any consumers would be interested in buying it.

[rock99rock @ Nov 6th 2008 2:09PM]

For the podcasts over 10mb:

1. Jailbreak

2. Download/install voipover3g. Can be located in Cydia.

2. SSH your phone. This requires that you turn SSH on in your Boss Preferences. You will also need to connect your phone to the computer and access it with Cyberduck (Mac) or WinSCP (Windows)...or any other FTP client.

3. Edit the file "VoIPover3G.plist" in "/Library/MobileSubstrate/DynamicLibraries/" then save this:
Code:
Filter = {Bundles = ("com.Fringland.Fring", "com.apple.AppStore", "com.audiofile.Interstate", "INSERT COMLINK FOR PODCASTS HERE", "com.apple.MobileStore");};

you can always take out the "com.Fringland.Fring" and "com.audiofile.Interstate" if you dont use fring or truphone

I do not know what the ex("com.apple.podcast") is, so you will need that to make this work.


This can be done for ANY application that is WIFI only :)

[rock99rock @ Nov 6th 2008 2:13PM]

BTW, i take NO CREDIT for my previous post. Found it on the orb forums, to allow streaming live television over 3g instead of just WIFI.

[mojohat @ Nov 6th 2008 12:46PM]

ZZZZZZzzzzz....

[KIFF @ Nov 6th 2008 12:47PM]

And people complained about Microsoft's antitrust activities...

[cookiejar @ Nov 6th 2008 12:50PM]

They still do ;)

[holycow @ Nov 6th 2008 12:47PM]

Why don't they add more useful features like Copy/Paste, video recording, message forwarding, the ability to delete a single SMS instead of the whole conversation, etc.

[ChristianD @ Nov 6th 2008 12:57PM]

Amen brother. Apple sucks. They're predatory, give no information worth knowing half the time, and they're elitists in their actions, but hey did make a great phone and we bought it. The problem now is that while we like the product, it's getting harder to stomach the company that made it, because at least Microsoft Acknowledges that the customers opinions should be recognized, but Apple comes across like they just don't give a Damn! Oh, you wanted this feature or that feature, well screw you, you'll get what we give you and we don't care how many times you complain, we run this ship and all we need from you is your hard earned money.

[apa @ Nov 6th 2008 12:50PM]

This idea is good but the implementation is evil. :)

[Aaron @ Nov 6th 2008 12:57PM]

This is just a sign of the behavior to come from Apple as it gains market share in the PC business and makes inroads into other markets such as smart phones. I don't mind closed-source applications so much, but when an entire underlying platform, be it Windows, OSX, iPhone, etc, is controlled by a single corporate entity you are asking for abuse of power. What amazes me however is that Apple is getting so abusive so early in the game. If this is how they behave when they have 10% of the PC market and 2% of the phone market, how will they behave when they come to control a much larger slice of the pie?

We saw this coming with Apple's original bricking of 1G iPhones to punish those who were only trying to improve the platform. Steve Jobs is such a control freak and knows that his fanboys are so freakishly loyal that he can pound them in the ass every so often and they'll just keep taking it. This is why I waited for an Android phone even when it meant putting up with an old treo 650 for 2 years more than I had hoped to.

[Doug @ Nov 6th 2008 1:02PM]

These types of behavior aren't new. Apple has always behaved like this. It's just that they're bigger and more visible now, so it gets noticed more than it ever has in the past.

[blackfeathers @ Nov 6th 2008 12:52PM]

i'm just waiting for the 'bag of hurt' feature to be added to the iphone.

[holycow @ Nov 6th 2008 12:55PM]

Blu Ray in the phone? what?

[tpadekar @ Nov 6th 2008 1:58PM]

I think he's talking about putting a bag over his head and people hitting him with iPhones!

[Graham Wellington (formerly tyrone washington, or marsha goldberg) @ Nov 6th 2008 2:25PM]

ahh "bag of hurt" the new over used phrase, joining the likes of "douche bag" and "fail" and "epic fail".

[Alex @ Nov 6th 2008 12:52PM]

That's Apple for ya! Android FTW!