The smartest move in iPhone prehistory

The iPhone could be big. You heard it here first.

(Credit: James Martin/CNET News.com)

Today, during his keynote at WWDC 2007, Steve Jobs may have done the smartest thing in iPhone prehistory.

With two announcements that didn't receive any of the hype normally associated with the iPhone, Apple may have actually made good on its promise that the iPhone will be revolutionary. Much more revolutionary than pretty looks, a touch screen, a wide-screen iPod, or even visual voice mail.

So revolutionary, in fact, that it may have an impact on much more than just the mobile-phone industry. And they seemed so relatively unimportant at first glimpse...

The two smartest announcements in iPhone prehistory

1. A version of Apple's Safari browser has been released for Windows. (Download here.)

2. The "third-party iPhone apps" Steve Jobs alluded to weeks ago would be Web-based applications, not apps that run natively on the iPhone.

The second of these announcements sounded like a cop-out at first. After all, when Jobs mentioned opening the iPhone up to third-party applications, everyone got the impression he meant they'd actually run on the iPhone, not on a browser.

But here's why it looks so smart after a closer look.

Hedged bets Smart moves

1. Opening Safari to Windows is a great move for the development community. Windows developers can now test Web applications for Safari on Windows machines.

2. One of the iPhone's drawing points is that it runs a full browser (albeit one that won't support Java and possibly won't support Flash), and the iPhone hype machine promises an unparalleled browsing experience for a mobile device.

3. Because Safari is the application platform for the iPhone, Safari on Windows creates a much bigger pool of developers for the iPhone than releasing an SDK would. Making any site "iPhone-compatible" will be the hip thing to do, and developing for a touch screen device could unleash some serious creativity. (Think of the possibilities for porn! Glorious, touch-interactive porn!)

4. Non-native apps also means that iPhone users won't need to download packages or install software. This could be a significant factor for a device that only has 4GB or 8GB of storage (and a lot of songs and videos competing for that space).

5. Web-based apps running on Safari creates no additional security issues for the iPhone. Your iPhone will be as secure as Safari is.

6. Because the apps are Web-based, they are cross-platform by nature. But if you run them on the iPhone, you get a little something extra: a touch screen interface. During the keynote, VP of iPhone software Scott Forstall mentioned that Web applications will "know" they're running on an iPhone and act accordingly. Java's "write once, run anywhere" mantra may be perfected by the iPhone (ironically, a device that purportedly won't run Java).

So maybe, just maybe, the iPhone will be revolutionary on quite a few fronts. At the very least, it may reprioritize some things.

The iPhone's impact on the Web

1. Immediately, Web developers have an exciting new platform to create applications for, and the iPhone's touch screen is a fun interface to think about when creating new applications.

2. This may kick-start Web 2.0's evolution into Web 3.0: sites and services redefined, redesigned, and refined for a handheld platform and fully mobile user base.

3. As competing devices follow suit and shift to a more immersive mobile browsing experience, Web-based software and Web 2.0 sites may have great days ahead of them.

Even for someone who despises the iPhone hype, these announcements are pretty exciting. Apple seems to have mastered the art of declaring itself innovative, and the combined power of the development community and the mass appeal of the iPhone could lead to true innovation. It's good for the iPhone, good for Web 2.0, good for mobile devices, good for developers, and good for users.

But...is it still smart to buy an iPhone?

Alas, some of the iPhone's perceived shortcomings may also become magnified by a cottage industry of third-party Web applications.

1. With such a reliance on Web-based apps, EDGE seems like a terrible decision over 3G networks.

2. Wi-Fi is still in the iPhone's bag of tricks, but let's hope the battery life can take the added pressure.

3. The touch screen-only UI could become a burden for keyboard-intensive apps.

What do you think? Huge news, cop-out 2.0, or somewhere in between? Let us know in the TalkBack section below.

[GoodSiteList]

You have lost a daily reader.

Mr. Needleman,

I have loved the information you have shared on current innovations of Webware with us for so long, but after reading you comment in this article about "porn" you have lost me as a daily reader and I will no longer refer my friends to your blog. I am disappointed that a person of such influence as yourself would be a proponent of porn instead of being a proponent of cleaning up all the filth on the web. One app you should really take a look at, with your wife, is K9 Web Filter and encourage people to use that not to get more and more involved with life destroying filth we call "porn" that has spread around the world like a plague destroying so many lives and marriages around the world.

GoodSiteList

[MichaelF.]

sense of humor calling

That was a joke. To clarify, that means it is not something that should be taken
seriously. I think you are over-reacting.

[tmoynihan]

I am the author of the post

Your comment should be directed at me, not at Mr. Needleman.

Apologies for using the word "porn" in the post. It's meant as a joke. I do not consider using the word as equivalent to being "a proponent of porn." To suggest that's the case is disturbing.

Are you a proponent of porn because you used the word three times in your comment?

[John the Geek]

What a nutcase...

You need to get a life and a sense of humor. Stop peddling your services and
making mountains out of molehills.

I like porn. Long live porn!!!

[larrwest]

Get a life, you should work for the FCC

If discussions concerning everyday life and the proliferation of porn on the internet is disturbing. I suggest you change your web browser to only only access www.iamanasshole.com

[Fotki]

:) the "proponents of indecency" list...

... included Socrates (condemned to death), Oscar Wilde (put into jail), Omar Khayyam and many others - so, congratulations to anyone making the list ;)

[migafre]

Agreed ....

GoodSiteList, you need to get a sense of humour for godsake! It was clearly a joke, refering to the exact subject you were talking about, the proliferation of porn on the web.
I'm sure you do have a sense of humour but you jumped the gun and fired a comment before actually reading what the authour ment.

[ssdesv]

wrong person

he is Tim Moynihan not Needleman that wrote the article. more than one person writes in webware

like everyone said it was a joke

[jbogg]

This is Ludicrous

Lets assume for a moment that it wasn't a joke, and say "Then what?"

Just because a fellow doesn't share your narrow world-view doesn't mean that his journalistic efforts are forfeit.

People destroy their own lives and marriages. All porn does is sit there.

This site is the first one I check every morning, and I would continue to do so if Rafe himself was quoted saying "Baby heads, glorious decapitated baby heads!"

Keep up the good work fellows, and here's to hoping for fabulous touch-interactive Pornography.

xD

[GoodSiteList]

It was no the word "porn" but the full statement

I was not referring to the use of the term "porn" as being what makes you a proponent but I just didn't want to repeat your full statement, but here it is: "Think of the possibilities for porn! Glorious, touch-interactive porn!" If this statement is not glorifying porn I do not know what is.

I would also like to apologize to Mr. Needleman for addressing the comment to him. I was not aware it wasn't him that wrote it.

GoodSiteList

[tmoynihan]

Apologies if you found it offensive

I know it's hard to discern tone in written text, but I was honestly making a joke.

Porn is bad.

[John the Geek]

Here's a suggestion:

1. Grasp your 33.6 Kbps modem phone line firmly between your index finger
and your thumb.

2. Unplug it from the Internet.

3. Cover your eyes while in the shower to avoid seeing any naked bodies.

4. Revel in your newfound happiness.

[lawgone]

GoodSiteList, you prude

If porn is not your thing, that is fine. But stop letting the rest of the world know how much of an uptight prude you are. You're probably one of those people who writes the FCC b/c something you saw on tv offended you and you can't figure out how to just change the channel. No, instead you want to make sure the whole world is stuck watching reruns of "7th Heaven" and "Little House" every night b/c that's what you like. Look, when you feel you can hear and read suggestive words without throwing a fit, revisit the internet, but until then you might want to stay away so the adults can talk.

[John the Geek]

I love it.

I don't think many people have paid any attention to the connection between
Safari for Windows and iPhone developement. I keep hearing "Why?" and it's all
too clear to me. It's the SDK they all wanted!

Great article. Considering all of the fantastic widgets people have made for
dashboard I can't wait to see what people make for the iPhone.

[ctfoley]

Good, but they're not the only one

Web apps are good, but I can't imagine Safari becoming standard at all. Firefox is already halfway there, why reinvent the wheel?

[tmoynihan]

Firefox would indeed be better...

...and that's part of the reason I think this is exciting news.

Safari has full integration with the iPhone, so it could set the bar for fully immersive Web apps that look and act like mobile "desktop" apps. If other mobile devices and browsers go down the same path, it's an evolutionary step for the mobile Web, which hasn't been done all that well thus far.

Imagine if Mozilla and another mobile-phone manufacturer announced something similar, whereby Firefox could recognize it was running on a specific device and format a Web application perfectly for that device, right down to the UI and look/feel. Great for the user, but also great for the wide array of Web developers familiar with Firefox.

That's the step Apple is making here with Safari and the iPhone. I really think it could have a major impact on Web apps, mobile devices, and the way everyone uses them.

[Wraith_X]

Real third party apps!

Hmm - it was obvious web based apps like Google Reader would work any way
through Safari so I don't see how this is opening up the iPhone to third party
developers.

I would be most excited about seeing revolutionary Mac/Windows software like
The Filter ( http://www.thefilter.com ) on the little touchscreen
box.

[D_Acuff]

The BIG picture

Well, I want an I-Phone, and I would plan to get one, right after I get a Play Station III, oh wait, I can't afford that either. lol.

Look the BIG news here is that the Safari browser is available on Windows!! Millions of developers will now be able to cater to the Mac crowd. Those of us who either don't own macs and/or who work for companies that do not readily have Mac's around can now test on Safari. In general this is not a big issue, as if your a decent Modern coder and cross-check in IE/Firefox your code is golden in Safari, but there are always cases where you get unexpected results is Safari. This is one small step for Apple, on giant leap for mankind.

[istev]

are you serious?

Hmm..I am not so excited about another browser, if it means that it creates more problems and greater exposure to threats.
Listed on CNet's home page today -
http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-9728500-7.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=NewsBlog&tag=cnetfd.blog

No 3G? No KB? No push email? No thanks.

Wifi? great if I want to sit at home and use my phone, though I rather use my laptop/desktop and view the web on large screen. If there was the possibility of calls via wifi (like skype for windows mobile or TMO's uma), there might be a draw.

Google apps? great. But Windows Live Search is pretty solid and simple to use.

I'm not about to criticize something thats not even available, but I don't see what all the excitement is about.

[tmoynihan]

Agreed on the criticisms...

My excitement is more about the big picture, not specifically about the iPhone and its apps. The price tag is still very high and there are far too many question marks about the hardware, carrier, and service charges.

I'm not suggesting the iPhone is a must-buy because of this. BUT I do think it reinvents the concept of the iPhone a bit and could have great spillover effects to the rest of the mobile industry and Web development.

Essentially, Apple is creating an entirely new Web platform based on the iPhone and Safari. Web developers become iPhone developers by default, as long as they work with Safari. The hype surrounding the device combined with opening app creation to Web developers and Windows users could lead to a new wave of mobile apps custom-built for the phone.

If other companies and browsers follow suit, the mobile Web experience will improve exponentially and many more *free* applications will run well on mobile devices.

[bthathaway]

Don't miss the iPod hiding in there!!!

With all the focus on the phone part of the new handheld device, I think we're missing the bigger picture. Over and over Steve Jobs says that they have created the best *iPod* ever with this unit. Let's say that again--this is the best *iPod* they've ever made.

So what happens this Fall when they start selling the iPod only version of this handheld? How likely that they keep the WiFi and the browser capabilities??? If so, then you have a tremendous platform to roll out all sorts of web apps to millions of users and of course Apple will be at the head of the line with iTunes. Don't tell me that won't revolutionize online retailing of all sorts.

I don't know whether the iPhone will make all that big a difference in this world. Probably not. But a world filled with browser enabled iPods??? Add in some digital wallet technology??? What about a little GPS in a future generation??? Use your iPod to lead you through online and bricks and mortar purchases. Now THAT's exciting.

I can't wait to see the new iPods. That's where Apple really takes off.

BT

[Gamut]

What the-?

Your views seem a little skewed to me. Pornography is a wonderful outlet for sexual frustration and, in fact, helps millions of people re-amplify their sexual relationships. Unfortunately, there is some content which is undeniably reprehensible such as child porn, incest, people recording rape (and in my personal opinion scat porn...nasty); however, general pornography is not only legal, but a fantastic way to practice sexual health. Like it or not, porn is here to stay; and it's more than likely to get more and more common. So do yourself a favor and get used to it!

[GoodSiteList]

Some still deny the effects of smoking as well.

Just because you personally have been able to rationalize the exploitation of women and the degrading effect pornography has had on the world doesn't mean you should force it on the rest of us.

War is horrible and has devastating effects, yet you may rationalize that it is good since every time the US gets into a war it has a positive effect on the economy. So therefore war is good? NO! Your rationalization for the filth you choose to view does not apply to the whole world. I hope some day you will be able to realize that these filthy forms of media are made by daughters that have fathers and brothers and mothers and sisters. And don't forget what our Savior said, "That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."

GoodSiteList

[salimmadjd]

Wrong MOVE! Should have gone with Firefox!

Safari on PC is a horrible idea. Safari on Mac is a biggest nightmare for developers (at least for us) and now to deal with it on the PC as well. Don't get me wrong I like apple and all, but I wish they would completely build on top of FF instead of releasing yet another browser.

It would have been a big news if Iphone would run FF and most web application would just run with little tweak or non at all. Now that would be big. But to make us support safari. What's the point? If safari was meant to ease the creation of iphone application, then why not go all the way and just use FF that has a larger usage and is better understood by the developers.

[tmoynihan]

It's all part of the same argument...

I posted earlier on this -- if you think of it less in terms of the browser itself and more about the mobile Internet as we know it, it's an evolutionary step:

http://www.webware.com/5530-1-0-10.html?forumID=143&threadID=224293&messageID=2442234&tag=lst

[joepwro]

All my future apps will be iPhone friendly

I think the iPhone crosses a threshold on portable devices that are truely Internet enabled. All future apps from my company will be iPhone ready - it what manager want.

[Hope M.]

The smartest move in iPhone pre-history

The Iphone that would be available for public use in June 29, has made a lot of noise latyely, it is because of the revolutionary changes that it has given to the rest of the world. It could not really denied that wer could notice that all over the world the Iphone would converging 3 distinct media apps., so on the part of the public, they should test the capability of the device, better use it in front of a capacity crowd screaming...let's discuss this further, reach me at
http://forum.affiliatebot.com/register.php

[Hope M.]

The smartest move in iPhone pre-history

The Iphone that would be available for public use in June 29, has made a lot of noise latyely, it is because of the revolutionary changes that it has given to the rest of the world. It could not really denied that wer could notice that all over the world the Iphone would converging 3 distinct media apps., so on the part of the public, they should test the capability of the device, better use it in front of a capacity crowd screaming...let's discuss this further, reach me at
http://forum.affiliatebot.com/register.php

[schneb`]

Get Your Collective Minds Out of the Gutter

What is it with people? Any time any new piece of technology comes out, the first thing you think of is porn? I guess the movie Brainstorm had mankind pretty much pegged.

[Marc Myers]

Let's deal with reality

"What is it with people?"

We're sexual creatures. That's why there are six billion of us on the planet.
People think about it frequently. The porn industry has always existed to
profit from that intrinsic fact of human nature.

"Any time any new piece of technology comes out, the first thing you think of
is porn?"

The mention of porn was not the first thing in the article nor was it a major
point of discussion. The author made a brief, amusing reference to porn and
moved on. Why can't you? You seem to be the one with his mind in the
gutter.

[njckrall]

Loosen the noose

Easy, there! Sense of humor! Read some Dilbert then re-read the article. It's not a porn-promotion. It's funny! Is this mic on? Anybody out there besides the morality patrol?
-nk

[schneb`]

Unprofessional

Yes, you may have rationalized porn in your own life. The point is, it has NO business in a technology article. C/Net is a business, and placing such comments in an article is unprofessional and would get me fired at my job--and probably yours.

[tmoynihan]

Apologies for the joke

It was a joke, and I'm sorry if you found it offensive.

That said, porn on the Internet is a reality and a billion-dollar industry. Right or wrong, you can bet that thousands of people are also thinking about how a mobile, touch-screen browser will have an impact on that industry.

There's a difference between advocating porn and poking fun of its prevalence and impact on the Internet. I was trying to do the latter, but obviously I needed to tag it as a joke in order to avoid this ensuing uproar.

[njckrall]

Humor always has a place in a tech article.

Without a splash of HUMOR techie articles are BO-RING!
Activate HUMORSENSE v5.1 please, then re-read article.
It's tech, not church, and the porn-comment was funny, not meant as a recommendation for personal priority advice.

Only in the Bush (also funny double-entendre) administration is joking about porn in a tech article the equivalent of joking about a bomb at the airport security checkpoint.

Relax, don't flame it...take your anger and tame it!

-nk

[njckrall]

Humor always has a place in a tech article..

Without a splash of HUMOR techie articles are BO-RING!
Activate HUMORSENSE v5.1 please, then re-read article.
It's tech, not church, and the porn-comment was funny, not meant as a recommendation for personal priority advice.

Only in the Bush (also funny double-entendre) administration is joking about porn in a tech article the equivalent of joking about a bomb at the airport security checkpoint.

Relax, don't flame it...take your anger and tame it!

-nk .