AfterDawn: News

Apple to open up iPhone

It seems like Apple may be showing its belly in submission to the cat and mouse type games its been playing with hackers over the third-party application development for the iPhone. Since its release, Apple has attempted to Block any Homebrew applications on its device by regularly sending updates set to cut off access to its core. They had even gone as far as to release an update that stated if the phone was found with any homebrew applications on it, the user would permanently "brick" their iPhone by grabbing the latest update. This of course infuriated iPhone users and led to several lawsuits.

Now, Apple has seen the light and is welcoming third-party application developers to produce working applications that will make the iPhone a better device to own. They stated that in February, they will release the Software Developers Kit (SDK) to the masses and allow them to code applications for the device. The company has stressed however that although they will unlock the device to allow other applications, they are not changing their policies against unlocking the iPhone for use with other carriers besides AT&T.



Chief executive of Mexens Technologies, Cyril Houri who developed a navigation system for the iPhone called Navizon stated that Apple realized that "it’s time to stop this silly race to lock the iPhone because it’s a lost battle."

In a letter, Steve Jobs stated that although he feels within a few years, this move will prove to give the iPhone a wide range of beneficial programs, he's urging people not to discount the fact that mobile phones are not immune to viruses and other forms of malware.

Source:
NY Times

Written by: Dave Horvath @ 18 Oct 2007 12:57

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• 10 comments

• TheExcel

  That's a nice gesture, but why wasn't this released from the get-go?

  18.10.2007 14:02 #1

• jetyi83

  The reason apple makes decisions like this is to disguise how greedy they really are. They are just doing this to win back some credibility from the bricking.

  18.10.2007 14:30 #2

• ps2racer

  They just realized they were fighting a losing battle.

  18.10.2007 14:47 #3

• ikari

  IIRC they signed a Contract with AT&T allowing them to be the first to have it.
  
  Maybe that portion of the contract is over and now Apple can relase it to everyone.

  18.10.2007 16:04 #4

• cee43ja1

  now, sony, nintendo, and microsoft should follow apple. it's gonna be back and forth.

  18.10.2007 22:25 #5

• WierdName

  Wow, Apple realized they were just screwing themselves over by locking out third party apps. Well at least they saw their error and fixed it so development can get going.
  
  EDIT- Although, I would like to know what they are going to do, or not do, about the iBricks.

  19.10.2007 00:28 #6

• ZzeusS

  I saw the original Jobs iPhone announcement when he was on stage. I seem to remember him specifically saying something about it being open and being able to use third party apps. Am I remembering this wrong? He went out of his way to mention it.

  19.10.2007 12:41 #7

• LaBaMaN

  i believe they've just realized that they will never have full control over their products...

  19.10.2007 14:48 #8

• johnnydo

  the person writing this article knows little about the iPhone.
  
  there has been ONE update. This update did not brick iPhones with third party apps only unlocked phones.
  
  the third party developers did a great job at writing apps and forced Apple hand to open the iPhone earlier than they wanted to.

  19.10.2007 16:11 #9

• borhan9

  Well this is nice to hear however i hope this is going to also bring forth the fact that they need to open this device to other phone companies not just exclusive rights with a few around the world.

  23.10.2007 17:36 #10