Joel Comm, creator of the famous iFart application, is using a new platform to state his case for a new App Store review process. Comm is the first developer that we know of to create a video appeal aimed directly at Steve Jobs. (See video below.)
The new application, a "cha-ching" button that makes a cash register sound when pushed, was rejected because, according to Apple's rejection letter, it provides limited functionality. Comm takes issue with the rejection, claiming that there are numerous similar apps already approved by Apple, including Wooo! Button (iTunes link), Hallelujah! Button (iTunes link), and Knock on Wood (iTunes link).
Do you think this rejection was fair? Do you think that Apple needs to fix the App Store review process or remove it completely? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Apple on Thursday released an update for the iPhone SDK, bringing the current version of the SDK to 3.1.2.
The new SDK 3.1.2, which now includes Xcode 3.2.1, is available in versions that are compatible with Leopard and Snow Leopard for iPhone and iPod Touch developers.
The update, according to information we received from a developer, contains general bug fixes for the SDK and Xcode. Dashcode is reported to now support the creation of Web applications that are optimized for Safari on the iPhone, PC, and Mac.
If you've seen and used this new update, please tell us about your experiences with it in the comments.
(Credit:
Apple, Inc.)
(Credit:
Apple, Inc.)
Several weeks after iPhone OS 3 beta 2 release, Apple posted new, beta 3 versions of the iPhone OS 3.1 firmware and the iPhone SDK 3.1 for developers. The OS 3.1 is available for all versions of the iPod Touch and the iPhone, while the SDK 3.1 is available in versions that are compatible with Leopard and Snow Leopard.
We received only one anonymous tip so far (shown in the picture below) that Voice mail now has an Audio button that allows you to select an audio source.
We don't know what other changes the beta brings, but we're hoping it contains bug fixes for problems we've covered here and here.
If you've seen and used this latest update, please tell us about your experiences with it in the comments
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(Credit:
Apple, Inc.)
Two weeks after iPhone OS 3.0's initial release, Apple posted new, beta 2 versions of the iPhone OS 3.1 firmware and the iPhone SDK 3.1 for developers. The OS 3.1 is available for all versions of the iPod Touch and the iPhone, while the SDK 3.1 is available in versions that are compatible with Leopard and Snow Leopard.
Without seeing the update, we don't know which changes the beta brings, but we're hoping it contains bug fixes for problems we've covered here and here.
If you've seen and used this new update, please tell us about your experiences with it in the comments.
Updated at 7:28 p.m. PDT: to reflect updated information about the iPhone OS 3.1 beta 2 release.
Gizmodo reports that the new SDK will allow developers to connect their iPhones to a Mac running Xcode over Wi-Fi using Instruments for debugging. They point out this is useful whenever the dock connector needs to be used for another reason (Tethering? Development and testing of Tom Tom like hardware add-ons?).
TUAW reports that the tethering and MMS hacks we all enjoyed on iPhone OS 3.0 and 3.1 beta 1 no longer work under beta 2.
(Credit:
Apple, Inc.)
Apple released on Tuesday new beta versions of the iPhone OS 3.1 firmware and the iPhone SDK 3.1 for developers. The OS 3.1 is available for all versions of the iPod Touch and the iPhone, while the SDK 3.1 is available in versions that are compatible with Leopard and Snow Leopard.
Without seeing the update, we don't know of the changes it brings, but we're hoping that it contains bug fixes for problems we've covered here and here.
If you've seen and used this new update, please tell us about your experiences with it in the comments.
(Credit:
Apple)
Apple is firing with both barrels this week, introducing surprising changes to the iPhone Developer Program License Agreement.
The agreement that all iPhone developers are required to adhere to now explicitly disallows jailbreaking, doing anything that assists with jailbreaking, or developing and distributing jailbreak applications--a big change from an agreement that previously restricted creation of applications that violated privacy or aided in violating criminal or intellectual property laws.
Ars Technica was able to obtain a copy of the new updated agreement that stated:
(e)You will not, through use of the Apple Software, services or otherwise, create any Application or other program that would disable, hack or otherwise interfere with the Security Solution, or any security, digital signing, digital rights management, verification or authentication mechanisms implemented in or by the iPhone operating system software, iPod touch operating system software, this Apple Software, any services or other Apple software or technology, or enable others to do so; and(f) Applications developed using the Apple Software may only be distributed if selected by Apple (in its sole discretion) for distribution via the App Store or for limited distribution on Registered Devices (ad hoc distribution) as contemplated in this Agreement.
Developers will likely find this new rule frustrating because it effectively limits their options with rejected applications. If Apple rejects their software from the iTunes store, they will have no other distribution options. Consumers, in turn, get no choice in where they buy iPhone and iPod Touch software.
If developers are vocal enough in protest of the new rules, Apple may change its tune as the company did last fall when it relaxed the iPhone Developer Non-Disclosure Agreement, finally allowing authors to write books and articles about iPhone development, teachers to teach classes about iPhone development, and forums covering iPhone development to appear on the Internet.
You can read more about this story at MacNN and Ars Technica.
At Tuesday's iPhone OS 3.0 preview event, Apple unveiled several new features of the iPhone operating system, including the capability to create applications specifically for interfacing with third-party hardware. Examples given included a five-band EQ interface for speaker docks, or an FM transmitter control that allows you to select broadcast frequencies based on signal strength.
An example of the Alesis ProTrack using an application front end for recording control.
This may sound like a benign little announcement to most people, but as someone who closely monitors trends in iPod accessories, I expect that this will be huge for the industry. What company isn't going to want to differentiate its products with a slick app?
I expect that everything from battery chargers to stereo Bluetooth headsets will (for better or worse) be given the app treatment. The products won't necessarily be any better for it, but the gee-whiz appeal alone will probably carry manufacturers and consumers through to the end of the year.
The nightmare for me is going to be all the apps I'll need to download for each iPod and iPhone accessory I review. Every speaker and every dock will likely require an app download to get the full picture of the product. Version updates for apps will also be a pain. If Altec Lansing hypothetically updates the EQ control on the app for its latest line of speakers, suddenly, I'll need to add a note to all its product pages.
But there are some potentially cool things to come out of hardware-specific applications. Here's what I'm looking forward to seeing:
Buttonless products. Call it the "Shuffle Effect," but if you can migrate all of a product's controls to the iPhone's touch-screen interface, then why have buttons? I'm not saying it's a good idea, necessarily, but the potential makes it inevitable that we'll see a product like this sooner or later.... Read More
Shortly following the release of iPhone and iPod Touch firmware update 2.2.1 Apple has released the iPhone SDK for iPhone OS 2.2.1.
The new SDK is available for download if you are registered iPhone developer here.
This new release offers enhancements to the XCode IDE, Interface Builder, and Dashcode supports the creation of web applications that are optimized for the iPhone, as well as for Dashboard widgets.
We previously reported on the popular Trapster application, which, at the time, was the only app that uses the iPhone to alert you of approaching police speed traps, red light cameras, and other kinds of law-enforcement related traps. The app now has some competition from NMobile (iTunes link), which is available from the iTunes store for an initial price of $9.99.
Njection LLC, the maker of NMobile, has simultaneously released VirtualEarthKit, a software development kit. Available under the BSD license, VirtualEarthKit is a Cocoa framework that will allow developers to access Virtual Earth's services, such as geocoding, reverse geocoding, imagery and more. VirtualEarthKit runs on both Mac OS X and the iPhone platform. It will be managed by Consonance Software.
We experimented with both products over a period of a few weeks in the Houston Metro area and found that, hands down, Trapster reported more hits in regards to speed traps and red light cameras than NMobile. We also took the apps on a holiday road trip across three states on Interstate 10 over the Thanksgiving holiday with essentially the same disparity in hits.
This is the advantage of a socially based app that is free (Trapster) vs. a paid application (NMobile). Trapster has more users, who have contributed more contributed user content than NMobile.
Although NMobile displayed its lack of content during our tests ,it shines in features when compared to Trapster. NMobile uses Microsoft Virtual Earth Web Services (VEWS), giving iPhone users (and developers) an alternative to Google Maps. VEWS works well, and NMobile allows you to control and manipulate the map using touch gestures. This feature makes the app's "Browse Mode" possible, because it allows users to check an area for speed traps and red light cameras, etc. by panning and zooming in/out on the displayed map.
While the app is in "Alert Mode." drivers are alerted to speed traps and other events audibly based on different criteria. These criteria are based on the app's Active Intelligence Selection System, which shows the most relevant trap based on speed, distance from the trap, direction of travel and time of day. Drivers are alerted about how far away from the trap they are so they can plan accordingly.
Once a driver is alerted, he or she can use the app to submit the trap as new or reverify a previously reported trap. Traps can also be reported via a website on a users laptop or desktop later. This is a good feature if you consider manipulating the screen while driving might prove hazardous in some driving conditions.
The app also prevents the iPhone from falling asleep and locking the screen. This feature is nice, but should be used only when the iPho plugged into a car charger, as the battery drain is significant. This presents another problem in which we noted that our iPhone became hot to the touch. It would be better if this feature were optional.
Most users would be better served by Trapster than NMobile, largely due to the fact that Trapster has more documented speed traps. Trapster also allows you to optionally leave the screen active saving power. NMobile definitely had the best mapping experience, and allows viewing of the map in portrait or landscape modes which Trapster does not support.
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Jonathan Zdziarski, author of the book iPhone Open Application Development and an iPhone Forensics manual, has announced a new book that--unlike his previous titles--instructs on iPhone application development within Apple's sanctioned framework rather than the "jailbreak" methodology.
The new book is titled "iPhone SDK Application Development: Building Applications for the AppStore," and is available for preorder through Amazon.
A press statement reads:
"If you're looking to get an understanding of the iPhone SDK from the ground up, this book is for you. You'll learn how to write applications in actual code, or with clicky-clicky tools like Interface Builder. You'll gain a complete understanding of objects such as view controllers, navigation controllers, and how to build professional looking user interfaces - explained in English, rather than the obfuscated language Apple writes their documentation in. You'll also learn how to take advantage of advanced features such as sensors, multi-touch gestures, CoreLocation, and CFNetwork - to design stellar applications that can perform as good as an SDK application can inside its tiny little jail."
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