It's Not Evil, It's Just Human Error

[SGosnell]

Apple has always been into closed systems, that's why everyone is using PCs instead of Macs. Apple never allowed open use of their OS the way IBM did, and thus it's still a niche product. This is just more of the same philosophy that has been in place since Apple first started up. Nothing has changed, and nothing likely will. Apple will always be a niche product in the computer and smartphone area.

[Genjinaro]

I think what's going to happen instead is that a lot of applications that otherwise would be free just aren't going to be available. Most of the people who would write a freeware app aren't going to go through the hassle and expense of getting Apple to test it.

This would count for many browsers, media players, file browsers etc.
*Sigh* Its seems like Apple is taking 1 step foward & 3 steps down.

If everything has to undergo this "certification or bust" than getting user feed back from open betas, trail, error & review. Even though you're getting stablility the growth of the app is stunted.

My time with Resco reminds me of how the above, helps an application grow so much, getting information from different users other than the company staff who tests them. Look at how good Resco apps are today, namely Explorer.

If the app isn't stable, granted, don't certify it but don't completely block the application because of it.
Make it easy to identify what is & what isn't, leave it to the user to decide his or her own fate when installing them, if you have to make a TOS warning in regards to the risk installing them that would be widely accepted, if uncertified apps aren't covered in the warranty after 30 days, that'd be even sweeter. The worry about support costs isn't gone but it is diminished to a greater degree.

Changes like this could boost sales to a point where support costs become less of a crippling issue.

[dmccunney]

Apple has always been into closed systems, that's why everyone is using PCs instead of Macs. Apple never allowed open use of their OS the way IBM did, and thus it's still a niche product. This is just more of the same philosophy that has been in place since Apple first started up. Nothing has changed, and nothing likely will. Apple will always be a niche product in the computer and smartphone area.

Apple has also always had a "We know better. Have it our way." attitude that got them relegated to a niche category to begin with.

For instance, the original Mac didn't have a numeric keypad, because Steve Jobs didn't like them. In the business world at the time, everybody bought a PC and lived in Lotus 1,2,3. Using a spreadsheet to do number crunching without a numeric keypad is an exercise in masochism. Guess what didn't get bought for corporate desktops when the PC was in the process of taking over? Apple relegated itself to a niche product right then.

Apple has proven that good design sells, and their products are good looking with superb interfaces that show someone spent time looking at how the devices were used.

But that "We know better" attitude is still prevalent, and the proprietary approach bites elsewhere, even if you are happy with what comes with it out of the box - peripherals are likely to be more expensive.
______
Dennis

[reb1]

I agree that apple has made a good product but with to many
limitations. They even made a handheld with these limitations. There browser is great and there touch screen operates flawlessly. And it is as close to indestructible as it gets. If they ever make a devise like that that allows me to put software that I need on it. I will be one of the first to purchase it.

[Polychrome]

I'm not a Mac fan, but I think Ed pretty much bit the conspiracy theories in the butt for this one.

Even so, allowing open development isn't all it's cracked up to be, and Microsoft can attest to that. By controlling what goes in, Apple can reduce tech support costs, rumors, DoS attacks, and assorted stupidity. It's sad, but true. There are advantages and disadvantages to letting the crowd run wild with your OS.

If google really does make a PDA OS, expect eventual chaos and panic. ^^;

[reb1]

Making all applications available good or bad would be a mistake. Not developing useful apps for the iphone and there handheld is a major mistake. Not all is lost there are still a couple of devises out there that will meet my basic needs and I can avoid palm, apple and the windows mobile crowd to.

[higuy]

yes, apple was a closed system.
but, no ! apple is changing.i am running Mac OS X on a x86 system PC right now.And i have no doubt that apple will release Mac OS X for PC.
and isn't that $600 iphone running MAC OS X ?

[higuy]

"Apple has tried to treat the iPhone as a different kind of iPod. No one expects the iPod to do anything besides the pre-programed functions, so Apple doesn't have to concern itself with hackers."

hmm , apple did market the iphone as a ultra mini laptop also.

[cktlcmd]

I was at the mall recently and was able to play around with their devices a bit. I have to say they made their software very stable, solid, and highly responsive. I don't know what screen resolution they used on those devices, but the clarity of the pictures just jumps out. Like you're using a micro VGA screen. So with regards to their move to use only softwares they tested, I agree with that as Ed pointed out, they want their phone to be stable and highly reliable. Something Microsoft and WM phone manufacturers needs to focus on a bit. For a 1st release, I salute apple for a stable and reliable device, but they do need to improve on the interface, as there is just too many screens to go through if you want to make a call. Maybe they need to add more buttons to launch the phone software.

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[kokketiel]

The idea of selling approved applications through iTunes is a good one. It gives users access to quality third-party software, while also mostly ensuring that any program that's installed won't turn the iPhone into a brick.

Before anyone says "Apple has no right to tell me what I can do with my iPhone," consider that if you brick your device, you're going to expect Apple to replace it, quickly and for free. That clearly gives Apple some say in what you do with it.

Sorry, I don't buy this. Millions of other smartphones out there are subjected to poorly written 3rd party apps all the time, and I have not read any reports of people bricking their devices by installing apps on them. Sure, sometimes there's the inconvenience of having to reformat the device or re-install the operating system, but not bricking.

My main problem with the iPhone is the inherent closed nature of the device, and this is also the way that Apple has been doing business. Trying to control every aspect of the device. As you rightly pointed out, smart phone users expect their devices to be open. Allowing third party apps only to be sold through iTunes isn't so much a compromise as another slap in the face of the consumer.