SDK Hopes Crushed - Time to Jailbreak again

[Pupator]

If the report is true, I'm really bummed.

According to Jeremy over at iLounge the SDK will be a tremendous disappointment to me. The full article is here, but I'm going to quote some of the most disturbing parts.

The most controversial aspect of Apple’s SDK plan is its intention to formally approve or deny all SDK-based software releases for its devices. Our sources confirm that Apple will act as a gatekeeper for applications, deciding which are and are not worthy of release, and publishing only approved applications to the iTunes Store; a process that will less resemble the iTunes Store’s massive directory of podcasts than its sale of a limited variety of iPod Games.

No accessory connectivity. Under current plans, SDK developers will be prevented from interfacing directly with Dock Connector-based accessories connected to the iPhone or iPod touch—a decision that we are told could cripple development of new accessories such as physical keyboards, traditional add-ons, and more ambitious, creative accessories such as Delphi’s iPhone car control prototype.

One source described this limit as a guarantee that SDK-developed applications would be nearly as limited as current web-based ones, while consuming more of the device’s storage capacity.

Consequently, a source suggests, developers who “jailbrake” iPhones and iPods to develop applications will be at an advantage relative to those who use Apple’s official tools.

And finally:

According to our sources, Apple will use the March 6 event to tout the benefits of the SDK to selected media, analysts, and developers, releasing an incomplete, “beta” version of the kit that was originally promised for February. The actual kit will now ship in June, coinciding with Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference event in San Francisco.

Time for me to re-jailbreak, it seems.

[holvoetn]

Link added

[questionfear]

NOOOO!

Seriously, I dont want much, but an e-book reader and a to-do app would be nice. And nike+ compatibility...but that's a pipe dream. Argh, I hope this isn't true...there have been a lot of bizarre rumors about the iphone over the last year so I am hoping to put this with the "AT&T won't let existing customers upgrade/there's no SIM slot/the glass scratches easily" etc rumors that all were proved false.

[himpressive]

Questionfear, your signature seems to capture the mood of the moment quite succinctly!

[RobbM]

Oh, I think for sure you'll get your Nike+ connectivity, QF. Nike is a big name and already has software working with the iPod. No, it'll be the little guys who don't get their software published.

I agree that Apple is being a dictator about who gets access to the iPhone, but I can see their reasoning--and this has always been my contention: If you put some software on your iPhone that bricks it or semi-bricks it, its going to make the user experience sucky and send you crying to Apple. Now, those who currently jailbreak or unlock their iPhone know that they are responsible for messing with the user experience, but as soon as everyone can legitimately and simply start putting 3rd party SW on the iPhone, the whiners will come out. Apple knows this is going to happen if they don't function as gatekeepers.

I don't want (what I view as) a Microsoft experience where the company tries to control what I do, but I WILL appreciate an experience where the SW that's available is known to work. So when I find SW that does what I need/want to do, I can install with confidence.

[Genjinaro]

I agree that Apple is being a dictator about who gets access to the iPhone, but I can see their reasoning--and this has always been my contention: If you put some software on your iPhone that bricks it or semi-bricks it, its going to make the user experience sucky and send you crying to Apple. Now, those who currently jailbreak or unlock their iPhone know that they are responsible for messing with the user experience, but as soon as everyone can legitimately and simply start putting 3rd party SW on the iPhone, the whiners will come out. Apple knows this is going to happen if they don't function as gatekeepers.

I don't want (what I view as) a Microsoft experience where the company tries to control what I do, but I WILL appreciate an experience where the SW that's available is known to work. So when I find SW that does what I need/want to do, I can install with confidence.

This is a double edged sword and on one end there is a blade and a gun & its pointed at the smaller 3rd party developers & major developer's open-Beta lead innovation (i.e., Resco for Windows Mobile, )

So no its still a let down & a ceiling, its cut backs on tech support for a best selling model.

This here should be the lead deciding factor for future purchasers, IMHO I'd at least wait & see what applications make it & if it will hinder development for others. Then again its nice to know you still have jailbreak & a 3G model on the horizon.

Patience is virtue.

[berylrb]

Wellllllllllll,

In my humble opinion ... y'all are missing the big picture for this one tree that has fallen down.

SDK - "rumor" coming in June, hey it is still coming! can't say that about OS Palm TX II. Consider Vista? How long did windows users wait for Vista? How long was the Beta phase for Vista? It isn't a great comparison, but what is a great comparison to the iPhone?
Apple Control - it's the same Apple philosophy predicated upon bringing the best user experience to the most number of people for a profit. I don't understand the desire to change this winning formula from a company that brought the dang innovation to the world in the first place? ... Consider this, without this philosophy we wouldn't have iPod Touch and iPhone, eh? I have no desire to tinker with this philosophy because I want "iTouch AirBook" five years from now, you pick your "iThingThatJustWorks" and fill in the blank. I deposit that the philosophy and the Innovation go hand in hand!
Great Apps - Of course there will be, regardless of the restrictions, can you say 10 million iPhones by Q4 2008? And we're not including iPod Touches! Formal approval be damned what developer will walk away from easy money like this? That is, this thread alone attest to an insatiable hunger amongst the "tech" crowd. How about the casual consumer who walks in to an Apple Store and buys whatever the t-shirts suggest! Again, easy money, just bring the app to market, regardless of the rules, BAM, profit!

Oh, did I say rumor? Speculation? I can see most of what iLounge is reporting but not the connectivity.

EDIT: Right On G!

[Scoobie10]

....but I can see their reasoning--and this has always been my contention: If you put some software on your iPhone that bricks it or semi-bricks it, its going to make the user experience sucky and send you crying to Apple. Now, those who currently jailbreak or unlock their iPhone know that they are responsible for messing with the user experience, but as soon as everyone can legitimately and simply start putting 3rd party SW on the iPhone, the whiners will come out.....

I don't remember Palm having this issue and there are thousands of programs out the for the Palm OS.

[Genjinaro]

I don't remember Palm having this issue and there are thousands of programs out the for the Palm OS.

Same for Symbian(ALL) & Windows Mobile...

Unless you fail to update a ROM or Firmware, a brick won't happen. Other than that If push comes to shove, I heart my reset button & backups.

[Pupator]

I don't want (what I view as) a Microsoft experience where the company tries to control what I do, but I WILL appreciate an experience where the SW that's available is known to work.

Robb, it's rare that I disagree with you, but I must do so here. The company "controlling what I do" is entirely an Apple experience, not a MS one. (Whether or not that's a good or bad thing isn't the point!)

Berylrb - OTOH, I disagree with all the time and will continue to do so!

Consider Vista? How long did windows users wait for Vista? How long was the Beta phase for Vista? It isn't a great comparison, but what is a great comparison to the iPhone?

I think that's an interesting argument. Steve Jobs is popular and Bill Gates is not largely because Jobs is perceived as telling the truth, understanding his customers, and delivering what he promises. (I doubt all three of those, but I digress.) The Apple fan-base's response to a move like this by Jobs is to say "hey, Bill Gates does this all the time." I find that mildly amusing. My guess is that you'll see Jobs do this more and more as the Apple user base grows and he takes on bigger and bigger projects. He's never had the PR workload that Gates has had - watch how similar the two become in the future.

Consider this, without this philosophy we wouldn't have iPod Touch and iPhone, eh?

I disagree. I'm not sure why a closed software model and hardware innovation have to go hand in hand.

Great Apps - Of course there will be, regardless of the restrictions, can you say 10 million iPhones by Q4 2008? And we're not including iPod Touches! Formal approval be damned what developer will walk away from easy money like this?

Plenty. Developers who don't want their product updates delayed by 4 months for "Apple Approval." Developers who want to take advantage of the hardware in ways that Apple hasn't. Trust me on this, plenty of developers will simply walk away.