Image Source: Engadget
With less than a week to go before the Apple SDK & Software Roadmap event (next Thursday) the rumors are really starting to fly as to what we can expect to hear and how things will pan out post-SDK release.
Naturally, some of the whisperings and predictions sound very good, from a user’s point of view, and some don’t. It seems like a lot of folks are beginning to feel pretty negative and pessimistic about things overall in the last few days – I’ve already seen some folks in forums and on web-sites sounding very glum about what we’ll hear and what we’ll see afterwards – sounding like Apple’s really going to keep developers down, and keep the iPhone platform very tightly guarded.
I don’t feel that way – still feel quite optimistic in fact. Read on for a brief rundown of some of the latest rumors and some quick reactions to them …
Apple will be severely restricting access on software for the iPhone and iPod touch, only allowing apps to be downloaded through iTunes …
So what? Hasn’t nearly everyone expected this since we first heard that 3rd party apps would be allowed? Seems natural that Apple’s going to use a delivery channel that tons of people are familiar with and like using. My only wish on this point is that they’ll make apps accessible via the iTunes store on the iPhone itself – don’t make us cable up in order to get them!
The SDK released next week will only be a beta version – with a full version maybe not available until Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June
OK. Again, I won’t feel too worried or disappointed if this is the case. Look how many amazing and creative and unexpected apps have been produced already, with *zero* help so far from Apple. Seeing that, my thought is that so many developers are so excited by the iPhone, that you only need to give them a little and they’ll do a hell of a lot with it.
Apple will serve as the "gatekeeper" for all third-party applications written using the SDK, "deciding which are and are not worthy of release, and publishing only approved applications to the iTunes Store
Right. Again … not very surprising. Apple will exert some control over what applications are approved and sanctioned for delivery via iTunes. Fine with me, if this helps in terms of quality control for apps that reach us as users. My only problem with this side of things is if the ‘gatekeeping’ is done in such a way that smaller publishers (like one person in some cases) have a much harder time getting their apps through the system. As long as the process works on ‘merit’ in terms of certifying apps or adhering to frameworks, and doesn’t place unreasonable financial hurdles in the way of smaller players, seems fine to me.
Improved support for Exchange and Lotus Notes email systems
This is a good thing all the way around. Great for those of us who would like to sync their Exchange or Notes accounts, and great if it helps the iPhone make some further inroads in corporate environments.
Exciting new enterprise features …
That’s what Apple’s media invite mentioned. Does that mean just Exchange / Notes support? Or maybe – as speculated Here – even more robust enterprise-level tools for the iPhone – like remote device wipe and other similar security features. Anything in this area would be superb. There’s already a lot of good indication that businesses are showing interest in the iPhone (and some have even adopted it, despite its security and email support shortcomings) – any plugging of gaps in this sort of area can only up the momentum there.
Overall, I don’t see anything so far to dent my optimism – and I really hope I won’t be regretting these words next week. I think we’ll see some sanctioned 3rd-party apps on the day of the event or very soon afterwards, and I think developers will take even an early beta SDK and run with it in all kinds of impressive ways.
I also have a little feeling that Apple may find it easier and better to spend their time letting great ‘official’ apps flourish on the iPhone, as a way to compete against what’s already offered over on the jailbreak side of the street, rather than exerting too much effort on the continuing cat and mouse efforts to secure the iPhone from jailbreaks.
What do you all think? Feeling good, bad, or indifferent about the SDK?
Sources: Engadget, Apple Insider, and various others
Continue reading:
- Everything New Apple Just Announced (Septembe
- Apple Watch Pre-Order
- Apple Research Kit launches with 5 Apps
- Apple TV now only $69
TAGS:
