Comments on: iPhone, you'll be a computer, soon

By opening the iPhone up to third-party applications, Apple will finally give the world a chance to see just what this thing can do.

[firstlast]

Well that's great...

I would like to see pocket versions of some programs to appear on
iPhone ... for example light version of Pixel image editor, what is a
Photoshop clone. http://www.pixelimageeditor.com

[Penguinisto]

I got three I'd love to see:

* Pocket Skype client (coupled with wifi). can you say "free phone calls with no minutes used"?

* Pocket VLC, for those formats Apple doesn't feel like supporting.

* A neat pile of pocket-sized games.

/P

[Vegaman_Dan]

What will the fees be?

If Apple is going to control the third party software development by using Digital ID's for the software, I wonder what sort of licensing fees they will charge the developers. It's an opportunity for Apple to extract yet more money from the device, so I really don't see them letting this go out for free.

I could be wrong- we won't know for sure until Februrary when they release the SDK.

[Penguinisto]

Prolly the same as OSX' SDK: free.

Same cost as their complete and full-featured IDE (XTools) come to think of it...

/P

[DraconumPB]

Mac OS X...

Well, shoot, they let people write software for Mac computers don't they?

What is so intrinsically different about the iPhone that makes it so much more susceptible to all that 'malware'? Is it that it's such a problem on Macs that they wanted to spare the iPhone from experience such horrors?

And what about Flash? Jeez, even the PSP browser lets you use Java and Flash... of course the PSP is just FULL of malware, yup.

Apple gives me a new reason to loathe them every single day. I wonder what happened, I used to think they were brilliant..

[3rdalbum]

Mobile OS X is insecure

...Come to think of it, the desktop edition of Mac OS X isn't terribly secure, but I'm glad that somebody has burst Steve's Reality Distortion Field about computer security. Safari on Windows and the iPhone has a pretty obscene flaw, that allows a maliciously-crafted web site to upload an executable file straight to the user's desktop without their knowledge. When I say "maliciously-crafted", I mean that an executable is linked as the target of an IFRAME; not any elaborate buffer overflow or cross-site-scripting attack. You know, it's the sort of security flaw you could accidentally create the exploit for.

Potentially, an infected iPhone being carried around all day could infect many other iPhones and iPods, as well as do the usual virus-y things with an internet connection. You tend to carry your phone or your iPod more places, and keep them turned on for longer, than a laptop; making the risk of spreading viruses that much greater.

[alb203]

STOP!!

All I have to say is will all the Hippies, Beatniks, and people living in their parents basements please stop saying I used to have respect for Apple but now their as bad as M$crosoft. Just stop pleasssssssssssseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee............

[apptec]

It's just starting

These large ego driven entities are like evil twin brothers

[thescale]

right...

Hey, man...like, relax, man. Everything's groovy.

Seriously, you seem to have issues. Just take a deep breath tell yourself that everything is going to be just fine. I'm sure you have better things to be angry about, yes?

[starcannon]

Apple is as bad as Micro$oft

I'm a homeowner, haven't even seen my mother in 2 years, I'm a constitutionalist so the hippies wouldn't have me even if I'd have them.
Oh by the way, Apple isn't as bad as Micro$oft, they are worse, they had built a reputation of trust over the last 20 years, then they completely broke that trust. I use Linux and don't have to tolerate any of the B.S. from either MS or Apple.
Enjoy getting iBoned it makes Steve happy.

[edgedesign]

Newton 2.0 Timing?

Could it be that Apple is also developing a slightly larger
iPhone/touch-like device that would offer even more functionality (a
Newton 2.0 of sorts) as rumored? Imagine if it was announced at
MacWorld in January and shipped in February. Apple could release
an SDK and distribution system suited for all Apple handhelds
around the same time.

Even if this new gadget isn't announced in January, I'm pretty sure
there is something in the works and the SDK would be very similar
across all these devices.

[Jesse Chan]

The Platform

Apple is adding another platform to their mix: http://fishtrain.com/2007/10/17/the-platform-is-what-matters/

Will it make them unstoppable?

[Vegaman_Dan]

What?

I'm sorry, I read the article you listed and they don't mention anything about Apple adding another platform. The article is about closed and open platforms, pointing out that Apple products are a closed platform for application development.

What is it you are trying to say? Will what make them unstoppalbe- limiting the choices for open source even more?

[problemfree]

unlocking the phone

I thought that it was made law that all companies were required to unlock the phones period.

[Lee in San Diego]

Unlocking

From what I understand the companies themselves are not required
to unlock the phones, but can not come after you if you do so.

[SpiritWater]

What about the AppleTV?

A Newton 2.0 or MessagePad 2.0? Sure, why not. Maybe in the Tablet form too.

All this attention on the iPhone and its little brother (iPod Touch) has distracted attention away from the AppleTV. An SDK needs to come out for that system as well. iTunes Wi-Fi store should have rolled out for it by now. Where are the games for this Apple Console. Where's Safari for AppleTV? Come on Apple, finish your hobby project.

[Lee in San Diego]

Leopard?

I wonder if they are waiting on something that will be in Leopard
before moving on the AppleTV.

I do not have a digital TV other than the Elgato Hybrid connected to
one of the Macs. Maybe I will get the family a digital flat panel or
Christmas and then look into getting an AppleTV.

[Vegaman_Dan]

Apple TV - Zune Synching Software

I believe that Apple is currently working with Microsoft on synching software between the Apple TV and the Microsoft Zune.

That way both abandoned / orphaned products can have some company. :)

[technewsjunkie]

Just mount an iMac (or display) on your wall

Like I am thinking about doing.
You get HD resolution and playback, computer functionality.

A 20" iMac is good for an office or small room/bedroom but if
oyu need a bigger display get an HD display/plasma/LCD, and
attach a Mac to it.

Watch rented iTunes movies in HD, your-photo screen savers,
browse the web. NOT JUST A PLASMA TV any longer.

[lecorbu04]

maybe the iEye will see the light of day

check out the concept:

http://www.createthefuturecontest.com/pages/view/entriesdetail.html?entryID=365

[jjoensuu]

Forget iFruity, get Neo 1973 from openmoko.com

bah

real hackers work on a Neo 1973 from openmoko.com instead of this commercial pile of hype.

[Lee in San Diego]

Maybe so

But real people don't hack.

[ifiredmyboss.com]

How many Neo's sold??

So how many Neo's have been sols??? Developers go where the units are and he iphone is sellng like crazy.

[Daniel Reiss]

AT+T Apple Agreement

Finally an intelligent article on the iPhone and 3rd party apps; except
for the comment on the AT+T Apple agreement terms and conditions.
With one exception, you don't know what they are and neither does
anyone else except the executives directly involved in the negotiations.

That exception - Cellular [now AT+T] was the only carrier that stepped
up and agreed to allow Apple to develop the phone for use on its
network with no preconditions and agreed to assist in the technical
development. We know this because Apple and Cellular said so in
public documents.

For taking this unprecedented step AT+T is entitled to the quid-pro-
quo of exclusivity. That is the way capitalism works. So those of you
who want to unlock your iPhones, either stop you sophomoric whining
or sell it and buy some lesser device.

[dadsgravy]

Re: AT+T Apple Agreement

Oh my god, look out, It's the truth! It's what actually happened!

[starcannon]

I'm Leaving AT&T this spring

I do not like AT&T's stance on net neutrality, and I do not like AT&T's idea that they can change my EULA anytime they like.
I don't even use that POS called the iPhone, and I saw in my bill this month that the EULA has changed.
I likely will not be affected by the EULA changes, but if I am, I refuse to abide by the changes; I signed under a particular EULA with Cingular, I never once agreed in writing or verbally to any other EULA. AT&T however believes that with the help of Bush they can do anything they like.
Folks, this is simple, don't buy iPhones, don't support AT&T, there are SUPERIOR phones out that make the iPhone little more than an overpriced paperweight (Steve will do that for you if you don't bow down anyway).

[Nodack]

Anger management

LOL!

Some of you need to get a hobby or a life or something to
negate all of that pent up anger.