Is the iPhone SDK 3.0 Really All That? 43 comments
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I’ve been playing the role of un-enthused skeptic over the recently announced iPhone 3.0 software development kit (SDK). I’ve Twittered about it, spoken with friends, colleagues and even family, and universally I have been castigated for my “lack of vision” or faith. I’ve been told that this SDK, with its 1,000 new APIs, will stoke developers into developing all sorts of new applications. What? And add to the other 25,000 applications already available on the App Store?
Isn’t it more likely that with the majority of new SDK features that existing apps will simply be upgraded to take advantage? Think about it, is Copy & Paste going to be the impetus for a new class of applications, or simply add a feature to existing apps that should have been there all along? Even the addition of the Map Kit, with the Google (GOOG) Maps Service, while cool, will simply enhance applications like Trails or the plethora of Geocoding apps out there. I’m sure it will inspire some new apps, as it invigorates developers to take a fresh look at the possibilities.
The fact that Apple (AAPL) has lifted the restriction off of developing GPS-based apps that include turn-by-turn capability, will undoubtedly cause new apps to be developed, but that’s more of a policy change than a new capability of the iPhone.
The big addition to the API, in my view, is the in app purchase capability, where applications can be developed that can manage App store financial transactions to purchase content or services. This could open the iPhone up to a whole new category of customer to business, and B2B applications.
The 1,000 additional APIs sounds like a lot, but if your a developer like me, you know that 80% of that is of no real consequence to the consumer, those APIs, or methods, are there to support the few big features or capabilities that were announced. So, the number 1,000 is more interesting from a marketing point of view.
The push notification will be nice, but weren’t we supposed to have that in version 2.0? Well, the answer is yes, but Apple underestimated the ability to scale to meet the demands of the iPhone’s growth, and had to go back to the drawing board and re-architect the entire back-of-house operations to make push notifications work. So, push is just a reaffirmation of something promised a while ago, only now, it will hopefully work and scale.
The peer-to-peer (P2P) communication with Bluetooth might be somewhat interesting, but didn’t we already have that capability with the built-in WiFi? So, why is Bluetooth superior to that which we already have? Well after talking to some Tweeple they made me realize that now we can do P2P without a wireless router, so that’s cool. Speaking of Bluetooth, many Bluetooth headset manufacturers will be glad to see that we finally have stereo headset capability in the iPhone, something most other devices have had for ages. But that capability has been in the iPhone all along, it just took a firmware upgrade to make it work. Why couldn’t have Apple just done that with an earlier firmware release? Huh? Someone?
So that leaves the last big feature add, iPod Library Access in an iPhone 3rd party App. Woohoo! So now Apple says you can create applications that compete with our front line apps? I don’t get it, this is a big feature, to be able to do something we can already do? Yah, I get it, now developers can dream up new ways to access my music and audio books. Ooh, I’ve got a big chill running down my spine.
Just give me video and a 3 megapixel camera with a flash, oh, and longer battery life, and I’ll be happy.
Disclosure: None.
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This article has 43 comments:
Whether or not there's anything in the SDK that will make another 25,000 apps is less material than whether the iPhone is an effective, dynamic, useful device that is say.... 2 years ahead of any other lame POS on the market. Please, point me to another Swiss Army Phone. Tell me how many iPhone users hate their machines enough to scrap them? Tell me why, o why, does Apple have nearly 30 billion in cash while Palm tries to raise money at bake sales for its "Post" offerring, which will be here any day now. Really.
The in app-purchases are the news of OS 3.0. That's for sure. In the beginning it its possible that the number of apps will actually decrease. Cause new functions can now be added to an app for additional cost. In the past year developers often just released a hole new app for a simple new function - to make a little more money. Think about books, photo-apps, etc. It now is less interesting to sell multiple apps which is a pain i.t.a. for users, but rather to let them choose from upgrades. This puts the appstore ahead of the competition once again. In the current state of the market (small growth at best) it is important for Smartphone-makers to keep as many customers on the plattform as possible while increasing software-revenues. That is where the iPhone OS 3.0 will succeeds in my opinion. I personally don't know anyone who's planning to leave.
[...]
While analysts and competitors were busy making feature-level comparisons (of mostly hardware), Apple consolidated its platform lead and laid the foundations of a new growth engine the likes of which the mobile industry has neither yet seen nor fully comprehends.
[...]
While [the iPhone OS 3.0] garnered a collective yawn from the features-fetishists, barring a product introduction disaster, the iPhone OS 3.0 will do to iPhone-killers what it did do to iPod-killers half a decade ago. Apple consolidated its gains, marked its territory of 30M users+25K apps+800M downloads and built a very deep and wide moat around it. A moat so formidable that there’s not a single smartphone player capable of overcoming it.
[...]
By the end of 2009, we expect the virtuous cycle to kick in and the moat strategy to reveal just how difficult it will be to compete with Apple’s touch platform, thereby ushering in consolidation in the rest of the smartphone industry.
iPhone OS 3: The moat strategy vs. features-fetishism
counternotions.com/200.../
"Disclosure: none". What does that mean? No interest or no disclosure of your interest? Got burnt on your shorts? I hope so.
None of these is possible with any SDK release. They require new hardware. You are barking up the wrong tree. Just ask for a new iPhone.
As for the announcement the big revelation for me also came from the way Apple will allow developers to charge for apps. Subscriptions have the potential to allow all kinds of ideas that simply were not feasible before. And now with the ability to charge for "micro" transactions inside apps for additional content, developers can give away the first few levels or basic functionality of a full application and then charge users more who want more. This allows for premium applications to be produced and users can add the pieces that make sense for them.
Example: Why spend $10 on a new game that looks pretty but you don't know if you'd like? So now you download it for free (or $0.99) and play with it. Like it? Buy another couple of levels for a few dollars. Get bored after that? No big deal, it only cost you a couple bucks. Still want to play more? Buy some more levels. This incentivizes developers to create QUALITY content and they can give more consumers an opportunity to try and love their app!
Moron.
Have you actually had your hands on the SDK?
If you had looked carefully at the release, have a clue about handhelds, and have any experience in software engineering, you would never have suggested the 3.0 was not substantive.
Better to be thought a fool than open your mouth and confirm it.
This is an example of a company not standing still. You may not see this Mr. Bass, but this is big for both AAPL and third party developers. One of the biggest things you overlooked is the ability for developers to access the dock connector. This has huge implications for third party devices to connect to the iPhone...
A camera in a phone is a mere convenience. Sure, your plane might go down in the Hudson or something, but if you want to take pictures, you are much better off with a real camera-- even a cheap point and shoot will have a better lens than a phone will offer,
Kontra's perspective of things is much closer than yours, and I too was struck by your inability to recognize that the the dock connector is open to developers. Were you there, did you watch the presentation, maybe, but the best bit went in one ear and straight out the other. Apple just lapped all the other players.
You want to see really impressive gains, wait until July (and no, I'm not wishing for the Great Pumpkin to come).
"The fact that you cite the 30 pin connector as an important feature, worthy of note, leads me to believe you think Apple's shit don't stink. The fact that they've created more vendor lock-in through this connector may have a back-lash. I don't believe it's going to be the reason for a new class of compatible products. I could be wrong."
Insightful loser
"Disclosure: None"
I guess that letting people know about your position would not be any fun at all.
It is clear that you don't know anything about the iPhone SDK ver. 3 and what it means for the software developer. Your just trying to muddy up the investment waters.
On Mar 23 07:30 AM fauxscot wrote:
> Not sure anything will make you happy.
>
> Whether or not there's anything in the SDK that will make another
> 25,000 apps is less material than whether the iPhone is an effective,
> dynamic, useful device that is say.... 2 years ahead of any other
> lame POS on the market. Please, point me to another Swiss Army
> Phone. Tell me how many iPhone users hate their machines enough
> to scrap them? Tell me why, o why, does Apple have nearly 30 billion
> in cash while Palm tries to raise money at bake sales for its "Post"
> offerring, which will be here any day now. Really.
>
And recently, when AAPL was at 98 I gave a buy signal to investors, with a target of 115, and a stop of 92
On Mar 23 07:36 AM Ara wrote:
> Didnt this guy say the stock would drop to $80 or less? whatever,
> not expecting him to admit he is wrong but its at $103 today.. hmmm
> nice.. my purchase at $84 is solid..
On Mar 23 07:43 AM Eel Tamer wrote:
> You've conveniently not mentioned the ability of developers to now
> take advantage of the dock connector and wireless to connect the
> iphone to other hardware and software solutions. Now the iphone can
> be used by diabetics to hook up to blood sugar monitors wirelessly
> so they can track, adjust and share their medical information with
> professionals or their parents in the case of kids. The dock connector
> could be used to allow a keyboard to be developed by a third party
> into which the iphone slots: a mobile phone with a full size keyboard.
> Think about that. The list goes on.
>
> "Disclosure: none". What does that mean? No interest or no disclosure
> of your interest? Got burnt on your shorts? I hope so.
On Mar 23 08:05 AM peter02l wrote:
> "Just give me video and a 3 megapixel camera with a flash, oh, and
> longer battery life, and I’ll be happy."
>
> None of these is possible with any SDK release. They require new
> hardware. You are barking up the wrong tree. Just ask for a new iPhone.
twitter.com/AppleInvestor
On Mar 23 10:25 AM greenskyrocket wrote:
> Well Zac, if thats your analysis of the iPhone OS 3, I don't think
> your analysis of Apple or any other company is going to grab the
> readers interest much. As a demo of your analytical powers, you
> failed.
>
> Kontra's perspective of things is much closer than yours, and I too
> was struck by your inability to recognize that the the dock connector
> is open to developers. Were you there, did you watch the presentation,
> maybe, but the best bit went in one ear and straight out the other.
> Apple just lapped all the other players.
There are developers who understand the importance of architecture and those who just cut code. Architecture changes were an important change in this release. Thus the 3.0 designation. While you think of API, we are looking at how Apple will support such capabilities. A clean architecture ensures stability and performance well into the future. A poor architecture guarantees a ball of yarn within a couple of more release.
There are developers who think outside the box, there are those who do what they are told. For those thinking outside the box, this release is significant because of what can be achieved with an iPhone. The dock access is a key feature. I only wish that Apple came out with its own eye-opening offerings to seed the creative juices and speed new product innovations. May be Apple will come June. As it is, developers now can start thinking about how to use iPhone *BEYOND* just software. The iPhone has become an actual bona fide Mobile Computing Platform or a mini-computer.
If you are a forward-looking technologist, you may be able to see where this all can lead. If you are only a feature-chasing person, you will see this as nothing more than a cell phone.
Apple when the opposite direction. Why do you try to spin a small feature, like cut an paste, as if that was the phone home message about the update? You are quick to dismiss it, then you say that the micropayments could be a big deal. No kidding! And the dock connector interface. What is even more significant is that this is bringing all developers within a stone's throw of Mac OS X development. Suddenly, it's all the rage. Everything Apple does has a palpable synergy to it.
On Mar 23 11:58 AM SiliconValleyJoe wrote:
> Whether it is 2.0 or 3.0 is unimportant, the content of the announcement
> is the key. You claim to be a software developer but focused mostly
> on consumer features. This release was less about consumer and much
> more about developers.
>
> There are developers who understand the importance of architecture
> and those who just cut code. Architecture changes were an important
> change in this release. Thus the 3.0 designation. While you think
> of API, we are looking at how Apple will support such capabilities.
> A clean architecture ensures stability and performance well into
> the future. A poor architecture guarantees a ball of yarn within
> a couple of more release.
>
> There are developers who think outside the box, there are those who
> do what they are told. For those thinking outside the box, this release
> is significant because of what can be achieved with an iPhone. The
> dock access is a key feature. I only wish that Apple came out with
> its own eye-opening offerings to seed the creative juices and speed
> new product innovations. May be Apple will come June. As it is, developers
> now can start thinking about how to use iPhone *BEYOND* just software.
> The iPhone has become an actual bona fide Mobile Computing Platform
> or a mini-computer.
>
> If you are a forward-looking technologist, you may be able to see
> where this all can lead. If you are only a feature-chasing person,
> you will see this as nothing more than a cell phone.
>
>
>
Being long Apple, I read about it very widely. Almost 90% of the commentary is that this is very HUGE. You're the only guy, other than msft shills, who's belittled the release.
We'll find out in a year what the future will be, but I've put my $$$ behind the other guys.
Apple is up $6 to $107 today.
One week of gains for Apple, independent of the rest of the market. Please, do us a favor, and use your chart expertise, to tell us what it all means!
I look forward to "evolutionary, incremental" updates. How many has Apple given since the start? How many have their competitors given? There lies the real story. Apple is consolidating their position as a platform. 3.0 is a roll up update, like Snow Leopard is a roll up. Apple releases most features when it can get it right. This is important, as it is a long term platform, not a 6 month fad, as most phones are.
It's also interesting, how technology from the iPhone is making it's way into Snow Leopard, and visa a versa.
Unified platform, develop for one, develop for them all. OSX allows for well working, clean, beautiful programs to be written. Look for new OSX developers, to drive more growth to the Mac, not just the iPhone.
3.0 is a big deal, just like Snow Leopard is a big deal.
The architecture reference I made earlier was not about website design. I was referring specifically to software architecture just below the web layer. In this case, it would be the component architecture, the class structure and inheritance hierarchy, the API design and various encapsulations to make developer's job easier.
FOr websites, my use of architecture refers to the back end that makes website possible. Everything from what development environment to use to compiler choices to coding standards to class structures, inheritance hierarchy to component architecture to cache design, data access management, concurrency issues to database selection, schema design and query encapsulation and on and on. In some cases, it involves even selection of server boxes and IT architecture to integrate with the software architecture. This whole world is wrapped up and exposed to the web portion as an API layer. The Web portion is generally one piece in this architecture and it often sits on top of that API layer. The Web portion also has its own component level architecture that involves Java, Javascript and HTML and/or PERL and/or other pieces. This web portion would interact with the back-end via the back-end API.
So we are likely talking about different things.
In any case, it is fine to agree to disagree. :)
On Mar 23 12:12 PM Zach Bass wrote:
> In my 30 years as a technologist, I've held architect-level positions
> for at least 15 years. I've also provided guidance to countless companies,
> and help create and develop some of the biggest websites on the net.
> So, I'm very aware of the difference between features and architecture,
> and have the vision to see where this API can lead. And my conclusion
> is that it's really not that ground-breaking, period! It's true that
> it is evolutionary, incremental, or any other term you might use,
> but I would have never put a major release tag on it like Apple has
> done.
"ve held architect-level positions for at least 15 years. I've also provided guidance to countless companies"
Yeah I can see the roll call now, GM, Studebaker, Palm, Penn-Central, Enron, W. T. Grant, Washington Mutual, Polaroid, Monogram Industries, & on & on.
Ayuh
On Mar 23 04:36 PM winindthedust wrote:
> Hey Zach;
>
> Apple is up $6 to $107 today.
>
> One week of gains for Apple, independent of the rest of the market.
> Please, do us a favor, and use your chart expertise, to tell us what
> it all means!
I'm really surprised you don't see the dock connector access as "groundbreaking".
Would you care to expand on why you think this isn't a big deal while most other tech bloggers see this as one of the biggest deals?
I mean, if a company makes anything with sensors, or actuators or both, the iPhone becomes the controller and or data logger. You just provide a cable/bluetooth/wifi, and code a bit of software for the App store, and there you have it. You could monitor your cars engine controller, your home thermostat controls, home automation system, any type of medical device/sensor, make it a really big view finder for your camera/DV camera, data logging, all sorts of diagnostic tools, portable chemical analysis tools....Sure these things could be done with a laptop, but a laptop doesn't usually fit in your pocket.
By the way, I'm sure Apple felt it a good idea to release 3.0 software ahead of any new hardware, just to give developers a chance to wow every one when the hardware is released....
On Mar 23 06:31 PM SiliconValleyJoe wrote:
> Woha! I apologize for my word choices, not meant to give you grief
> about your experiences.
>
> The architecture reference I made earlier was not about website design.
> I was referring specifically to software architecture just below
> the web layer. In this case, it would be the component architecture,
> the class structure and inheritance hierarchy, the API design and
> various encapsulations to make developer's job easier.
>
> FOr websites, my use of architecture refers to the back end that
> makes website possible. Everything from what development environment
> to use to compiler choices to coding standards to class structures,
> inheritance hierarchy to component architecture to cache design,
> data access management, concurrency issues to database selection,
> schema design and query encapsulation and on and on. In some cases,
> it involves even selection of server boxes and IT architecture to
> integrate with the software architecture. This whole world is wrapped
> up and exposed to the web portion as an API layer. The Web portion
> is generally one piece in this architecture and it often sits on
> top of that API layer. The Web portion also has its own component
> level architecture that involves Java, Javascript and HTML and/or
> PERL and/or other pieces. This web portion would interact with the
> back-end via the back-end API.
>
> So we are likely talking about different things.
>
> In any case, it is fine to agree to disagree. :)
Let me give you another way to look at this release. It's what I call the "block the kick" strategy.
What's a block the kick? It is an effort to do such a good job of persuading your core constituency (in this case, developers, consumers, carriers) that any perceived momentum of the competition (read: Android, Palm Pre) pales in comparison to your own that you block the competition's nascent momentum in its infancy.
Looked at this way, Apple is just running up the score, lest the competition find its footing with developers, something I blogged about in:
Analysis of iPhone 3.0 SDK Developer Preview
bit.ly/ANdMz
Check it out if interested.
p.s., the iPod accessories business is a $2B industry so the "so what" on that front wrt iPhone/iPod touch opening of access to 30-pin connector is an equal or better potential once all of the vertical segment plays are factored in.
Cheers,
Mark
I tend to agree with you, this is evolutionary, but it is also huge in terms of where the platform will end up. I'm just glad apple is finally catching up on some of the basics like cut/copy/paste and MMS.
> Didnt this guy say the stock would drop to $80 or less? whatever,
> not expecting him to admit he is wrong but its at $103 today.. hmmm
> nice.. my purchase at $84 is solid..
I hope you held long enough to double your money... APPL now at $166.43 just 5.5 months when it was at $84.
Hey Zack, where are you? I would love to see some fancy charts about how AAPL is going to tank :P