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Five rational arguments against Apple's 3.3.1 policy

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Re: Five rational arguments against Apple's 3.3.1 policy

#11

Post by mrcharles »

minalecs wrote: post #10
mrcharles wrote: post #3

It seems to me that part of number 3 (about private APIs) is bogus -- it's pretty easy to compare an executable against private API addresses to make sure it isn't linked to any of them. They likely have a tool and it likely results in an instant fail and I doubt there are any approved apps that use private APIs.

this is not completely true.. when google first released their search application, they were allowed to use an undocumented api (at the time), that detected when you moved your phone from your ear, and was allowed. Not sure if this is the same as a private api, but in general they do reject the use of private api's.

Special exceptions aside, of course. That follows with his other point about big players, which I agree with. They get to do things the little guys don't.

Re: Five rational arguments against Apple's 3.3.1 policy

#12

Post by GrandMasterBirt »

duck wrote: post #8

I hope #5 turns out to be bigger than I think it will be, but people end up sticking with what is popular (iPhone) even when it hurts to do so.

I been saying this ever since I first got wind of the new TOS. We went away from Windows because MS was holing a leash on us with their API lock-in. Now we're 1-up ing that with Apple's new TOS which takes the MS lock-in to a whole new level.

People say "oh but it will keep the already crap x-platform apps out" to which I say "Yes it will keep the would-be flashy x-platform POS games/crap apps out, but it will also keep out the apps that let me do my business better that run on Android / WebOS / iPhone because the developers of the TOOLS had to cater to a larger market share."

If I am making a tool that takes pictures and uploads them to my website for special needs of people running on the BlackBerry, Android, WebOS, iPhone because it has to be a compliment to my web tool there is no reason why I can't write it with minimal effort and use the iPhone store to distribute it for free with that exact goal in mind! Its not about making a wonderful iPhone app, its about doing my damn business and giving a business process convenience using the iPhone.

Not every iPhone app has to be a super innovative new way to run the world, sometimes its just a piece of crap complimentary tool that's just needed to do some grunt work easier.

Re: Five rational arguments against Apple's 3.3.1 policy

#13

Post by stanleydrew »

fjabre wrote: post #4

The problem is Apple has no real competition. They can do almost anything they want without fear of retribution because your average consumer has no idea what any of this means. That's bad news for all us pissed off developers since Apple's new platform will continue to be extremely popular in which case devs are forced to develop for it. Google seems to be inching towards being a real threat but they also seem extre…

There is tons of real competition. There will probably be 50 Android smartphones on the market by the end of the year, if not sooner. RIM and Symbian are still ahead, even if you see them as waning.

Yes consumers have no idea what any of this means. But that actually works in favor of Apple's competitors. When an average consumer looks at the smartphone market, Apple may stand out, but the iPhone is still just one among hundreds of smartphones. There is tons of competition on features and price.

Finally, Google doesn't need to kick it up a notch. Android is doing extremely well. Keep in mind that Google doesn't need Android to make money. Google doesn't care if Nexus One sales are sluggish. They are in the market to change the game. And I'd say they are succeeding with that.

Re: Five rational arguments against Apple's 3.3.1 policy

#14

Post by mtinkerhess »

fjabre wrote: post #4

The problem is Apple has no real competition. They can do almost anything they want without fear of retribution because your average consumer has no idea what any of this means. That's bad news for all us pissed off developers since Apple's new platform will continue to be extremely popular in which case devs are forced to develop for it. Google seems to be inching towards being a real threat but they also seem extre…

Google is taking the shotgun approach where Apple is taking the sniper approach. Either can hit the target.

If my toaster did run Android, that wouldn't make the HTC EVO any less appealing. The apparent lack of focus on the Android front isn't because Google's unfocused -- it's because there are a lot of companies besides Google working to make Android happen (Sense UI in particular has been great for Android).

With the rapid releases of Android 1.5, 1.6, 2.0 and 2.1 in the past year, I'd say Google has been kicking it up a notch. The problem is that the carriers wait for way too long to push the updates out to their users. What use is progress if many Android users still can't check out Google Goggles?

Re: Five rational arguments against Apple's 3.3.1 policy

#15

Post by raganwald »

Giles "Goatboy" Bowkett:

I even say (sic) DHH enter the fray, which is absurd hypocrisy, given that the first time I ever saw this guy, he was putting a giant "Fuck You" slide on a screen and explaining how he wasn't going to add features to Rails that he didn't agree with, because it was his framework, and he didn't believe that anybody who disagreed with him on that merited any other response but "fuck you". What kind of response does he think he merits from Apple?

http://gilesbowkett.blogspot.com/2010/04/its-his-platform-no...

Re: Five rational arguments against Apple's 3.3.1 policy

#16

Post by clawrencewenham »

dhh wrote: post #7
andreyf wrote: post #5

The web is not a carefully curated gallery of web pages and yet we're still able to find the good stuff all the time thanks to intermediaries of discovery This is hardly a strong argument, as the main "intermediary of discovery" is Google, and most internet users are all too ready to give up their banking information to websites which have an official looking header on the page. Just because it worked for the web doe…

So you'd like for the web to be put back in the box and replaced with an AOL Walled Garden of wonder? Freedom can indeed be dangerous, but I'd rather be free to hurt myself than smothered to dead by paternalism.

The existence of a restricted marketplace doesn't mean the greater internet must become just like it, as if through some kind of relative application of logic.

The internet--and the real world in general--can host a million restricted marketplaces, each designed for specific interests--and still be free in general.

Your reductio ad absurdum is suggesting that the presence of a gated community in the Hamptons means that every neighborhood ought to be gated.

Re: Five rational arguments against Apple's 3.3.1 policy

#17

Post by erichsu »

These are rational arguments for non-ObjC developers to be pissed at Apple. None of them are arguments for APPLE to change its policy. In the medium term it is clearly better for Apple's interests to implement 3.3.1, to maintain control over platform and encourage differentiation of its hardware (the way it makes most of its money!). In the medium term, they have more great developers than you can shake a stick at, so they won't cry about losing a few thousand more.

The only real argument that makes sense is that long-term, enough developer goodwill will be lost that they will go flock to a better platform and eventually tip the balance against iOS. That certainly will not be for the next 3-5 years, which is an eternity in tech.

I am not an iOS developer nor do I own Apple stock, so I'm just calling it like I see it. In short, it's a great business decision for them and I really doubt developers will make them pay for it, either short or medium term.

Re: Five rational arguments against Apple's 3.3.1 policy

#18

Post by clawrencewenham »

fjabre wrote: post #4

The problem is Apple has no real competition. They can do almost anything they want without fear of retribution because your average consumer has no idea what any of this means. That's bad news for all us pissed off developers since Apple's new platform will continue to be extremely popular in which case devs are forced to develop for it. Google seems to be inching towards being a real threat but they also seem extre…

You're taking Apple's domination for granted. How did they get it? There were half a dozen smartphone platforms before iPhone OS, but all of the devices had lousy quality, lousy user experience, and a lousy marketplace for third-party apps.

If you read the rebuttals to the complaints, you'll see that there are several practical, quality-oriented reasons why 3.3.1 was a smart move. It's just one of hundreds of quality-improving measures that Apple has done to make the iPhone "have no real competition".

Re: Five rational arguments against Apple's 3.3.1 policy

#20

Post by Tichy »

raganwald wrote: post #15

Giles "Goatboy" Bowkett: I even say (sic) DHH enter the fray, which is absurd hypocrisy, given that the first time I ever saw this guy, he was putting a giant "Fuck You" slide on a screen and explaining how he wasn't going to add features to Rails that he didn't agree with, because it was his framework, and he didn't believe that anybody who disagreed with him on that merited any other response but "fuck you". What k…

git clone rails
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