iPhone Dev Problems: Whining or Real?

Someone named Dan Kimerling, writing at TechCrunch, has some simple advice for developers who are upset about Apple’s opaque approval process for the iPhone app store: Quit yer whining, or as he puts it “don’t complain, just keep coding.” Dan — who, at least according to his LinkedIn profile, doesn’t appear to have any development experience, either with the iPhone or any other device — argues that a) it’s Apple’s store, and therefore the company can do whatever it wants, and b) given the popularity of the iPhone, you have to develop for it whether you like it or not.

Both of those statements are undoubtedly true, at least to a certain extent. Apple is well known for its attention to detail and its firm control over the design and use of its devices, software, platforms, etc., so it’s hardly surprising that it would take the same attitude towards the app store. And there’s no question that it is the hot mobile platform at the moment, and so most developers — those who don’t decide to quit Apple and develop for the Google Phone — will grit their teeth and develop apps for it regardless of how the company behaves. Fair enough, I suppose.

That said, however, just because people will put up with that kind of behaviour for financial reasons doesn’t mean they should. Apple may be able to get away with approving or disapproving apps for the iPhone store without any real explanation of the reasons behind those decisions, and it may be able to get developers to sign an NDA that restricts them from talking with other developers, but that doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do. And in the long run, that behaviour is likely to hurt both Apple and iPhone users. Isn’t that something we should be concerned about?

Sure, all of the developers who have said they are walking away from Apple — or are struggling to deal with the restrictions and seemingly arbitrary decision-making on Apple’s part — could just be a bunch of whiners, along with those who say Apple’s store will become just a collection of games, tip calculators and goofy apps like flashlights or lighters. But they’re not the only ones raising a red flag: so are plenty of respected tech-industry observers and Apple supporters. The only one who doesn’t seem prepared to admit that there’s a looming problem is Apple itself.

Comments

[Kontra:]

Apple cannot possibly put in writing today a list of all potential products for tomorrow that it or its selected partners may be working on to warn off developers. It's practically (and likely legally) impossible to do on a rolling basis. What happens when a developer submits an app similar to what Apple had been working on? Does Apple publicly say, "Sorry, we're about to introduce a similar app soon," thereby pre-announcing their (or their partner's) product plan to the rest of the world? You think that's realistic for a company like Apple? I explore this in:

Resolved: Apple is right to curate the App Store
counternotions.com/200.../

Look, same stuff was regurgitated when pundits were demanding that Apple "open" up iPod/iTunes to third parties by cross licensing WM/Real and FairPlay. Had Apple listened to that chorus, it likely wouldn't be around today. Same with Flash or Java on the iPhone. Apple has a right to protect its own platform in a very competitive market for strategic reasons.

2008 Sep 29 05:01 AM

[uncle:]

Truly only time will tell... Unless Apple takes draconian measures to lock out developers the App store will remain a gold mine for those willing to adhere to Apples 'rules'. As some developers will will no doubt leave in disgust there will always be others eager to take their place and code for the potential win-fall.

2008 Sep 29 08:45 AM

[turkeyeyes:]

Ingram, stealthfully shilling for RIMM yet again, decries Apple's nasty, nasty monopolistic behavior.

Nice to see he's not claiming that Jobs has died a second time.

Lay off the Moulson's, eh? Not doing any favors for your picture.

2008 Sep 29 09:25 AM

[FreeRange:]

It is Apple's system to protect. And developers should be focused on developing innovative programs that don't compete with Apple's own. Its that simple. Granted, there could be more transparency in the process, which should come over time. (It is still a system that is only a couple months old.) However, coming up with apps that merely tweak or replace what Apple is already providing is not innovation. Developers need to be thinking outside the box.

2008 Sep 29 09:59 AM

[Jon T:]

It's the internet echo-chamber at work...

The same messages go bouncing around and get picked up by anyone and everyone who wants to see Apple fail.

You have to laugh when people like Ingram take it all seriously.

The truth is that developers have far too much to gain from the OSX iPhone platform that only a handful will be so stupid as to cut off their noses to spite their faces.

2008 Sep 29 10:21 AM

[jmmx:]

Both Kimmerling and Kantra have it wrong.

@ Kontra
When Apple said that they will be the sole conduit for iPhone Apps, they did so (or so they say) to expedite the distribution of these apps and to insure security. When they set themselves up as this gateway, they have an *obligation* to be open to anything that does not contradict the security of the device or some well publicized set of criteria. It is NOT have a valid reason to cut an app because it competes with any offering of their own, built-in, available for sale, or in development. They really have an obligation to their end-users to be open to all apps that meet a publicized criteria. (I can see, for example, disallowing VOIP over the carrier (unless approved by the carrier), since that would circumvent contracts between the carrier and the user - but NOT VOIP over Wifi apps).

This said, however, I think there may be a lot of wining going on out there. People are making a tempest in a teapot here. To my knowledge (and perhaps I am not up to date on this) there does not seem to be a lot of apps that have been rejected. It IS a good thing to raise the issue in order to get things resolved, but many people are making too much of it.

Asks yourself this: So you think Apple anticipated hosting over 3000 apps within the first 60 days? I imagine that they are in a bit of confusion there, and crazily trying to meet their primary obligation to assure security of the apps. It is inevitable that some crazy things will happen. So let's just cut Apple a little slack. Let's raise the issue, and hope that Apple will see it is in everybody's interest to clarify the issues here as things get worked out.

2008 Sep 29 10:40 AM

[turkeyeyes:]

Apple is about to cannibalize their own business with some app that replicates/supplants what they do to make a profit.

To do so would be allowing the hand they are feeding to 'bite' them, wouldn't it?

Sure sounds like a bunch of spoiled developers out there.

Actually there are very, very few. They just make a lot of noise.

2008 Sep 29 11:19 AM

[theiphoneguy:]

I liked this www.applematters.com/a.../ but hey, I think this will kill the iPhone in the long. Short term profits over long term gains. Same old, same old Apple

2008 Sep 29 11:27 AM

[TA:]

People need to vote with their feet - don't whine and complain about it.
Abandon AAPL and develop for the Google phone instead.

2008 Sep 29 01:20 PM

[brewer:]

I don't see any problem, whatsoever, with the apps that were eliminated. Here is a set of rules for you. Apple has outlined similar concerns.

1. Don't re-do the same thing Apple is already offering. Write your own phone OS if you want to go that route, ala the G1.
2. Don't do anything profane or stupid or pornographic. If you want tdo do that, just put it on a web site, there everyone can see your fart jokes, etc..

All you whiners, get real. It's Apple's store, not RIMMs, etc... Microsoft puts a lot of control on what can ship with Windows. Ebay tells you what you can sell on Ebay, etc... I don't get the 'problem' here.

If you want to code for another platform, why not just do that and miss out on all the App store money. And have fun trying to 'program' for RIM, Win Mobile, etc... as they aren't even operating systems, even if you could sell it as 'software'.

2008 Sep 29 02:38 PM

[kris23:]

I dont see the problem with the app store. Maybe your app sucked, maybe apple just didnt like it. Either way, they don't have to have an explanation because the are plenty othesr in line willing to adhere to the rules. Whine all you want. Apple isnt going to hear (or care).

2008 Sep 30 03:22 PM