http://pragdave.blogs.pragprog.com/pragdave/2008/07/if-you-work-for.html
The phone itself is a great device. But the company behind the phone makes me very upset. Apple seems to enjoy making things very difficult for developers. First, you can only write applications using a Mac and now they basically don’t let you share anything about developing on the iPhone.
The only reason Apple can even do such things is because they are the only players in the game right now. Google, wake up and jump in already.
According to CNBC and The Wall Street Journal it seems that Google is delaying the release of it’s Android platform which could push the release of handsets back a few quarters. This isn’t good news for the developers and companies actively developing applications for the platform. Especially with the release of the new iPhone.
What I probably liked most about the article wasn’t even android related. Instead, they question Google’s various revenue generating strategies.
Still, if this is a technical issue, it speaks to Google’s deeper issues of creating new revenue streams in-house, rather than going out and acquiring the technology instead. Google still hasn’t come up with a way to make money from YouTube; the company has had enormous difficulty breaking out of its search-advertising-only model; DoubleClick gets them into display advertising but Google had to spend billions to buy it, rather than developing the technology on its own.
Android puts Google into arguably the most dynamic sector in tech, but it seems like the company is having difficulties, either with its potential customers, or with the software itself.
I also would like to point out this comment that made me laugh from the WSJ article.
But some developers say it is easier to work with Apple’s programming tools than Google’s because of the familiarity with the company’s Macintosh operating system. As a result, a wide range of software companies have been scrambling to build new iPhone applications.
Obviously people familiar with the Macintosh operating system are going to find making apps for the iPhone easier. But what about the fact that there are a LOT MORE java developers who work on Windows or Linux than those familiar with the Mac platform? FACT: C# > Java > Objective C
VentureBeat.com - Interview with Robbie Bach, part 3, on Windows Mobile
This is a pretty good Q&A article that covers how the Windows Mobile team views the mobile OS market and their competitors. The vibe I got was that they have no fears because they have been in the market for so long and any new-comers are entering an already croweded market (Android). There are also a few comments on the iPhone and the App Store.
After reading this newsweek article titled The iPhone ‘Secret’ I couldn’t help laugh at how addicted people are to whatever scraps Steve Jobs throws at them. Don’t get me wrong, I am excited for Android to be released and maybe even curious to see what the new iphone will look like too. But, you wont find me tracking down Mac cargo ships and reviewing Steve’s airfare costs anytime soon. Come on, isn’t that a bit ridiculous? Is learning a few bits of information a day or two ahead of its release really going to make a huge difference? No, probably not. It might be a great product, but it doesnt need to be stalked like a celebrity… its just a phone folks.
Does anyone really think that Apple can sell 10 million iphones by the end of this year? Are you going to buy one? As a developer, the reasons I wont buy one are that you can only develop apps for it on a Mac and that you must distribute it through the apple store. Those are some pretty heavy restrictions.
Come on Android, save us already!
“Cramer claims this product will revolutionize instant messaging the way Apple revolutionized the portable music industry with the iPod. Normally, one might just brush these comments aside as speculation or sheer lunacy. However, a patent, uncovered by AppleInsider today also points to advanced work Apple is doing on the instant messaging front — for the iPhone.”
http://venturebeat.com/2008/04/21/what-do-jim-cramer-kevin-rose-and-the-us-patent-office-know-about-im-on-the-3g-iphone/
An interesting article about Android’s mobile strategy. Check it out.
“Here we are months away from the launch of the first Android hardware, and Google along with the Open Handset Alliance is gearing up for the war against Apple and the vaunted iPhone. However, given the recent revelations regarding Google’s approach to quality control, or lack there of this war may be over before it even gets started.”
Check it out here! - http://androidguys.com/2008/04/21/why-the-iphone-is-poised-to-crush-android/
From SlashDot - http://it.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/08/1932232
“iPhone developers enrolled and active in the iPhone OS 2.0 beta program got a nasty surprise today when Apple inadvertently ‘expired’ the recently released version. While for a beta program this typically would not be an issue, Apple has yet to release a new deployment of the iPhone OS. So developers like myself who use their iPhone for both actual phone and iPod use are bricked. Of note, this particular expired build is just 11 days old.”
“Apple’s recent announcement that it is allowing third party developers to create applications on the iPhone will have tremendous effects on the healthcare industry.” Web2.0Journal
Ok this has gone too far. I accidentally stumbled onto this iPhone article that also claims the phone is going change the healthcare industry. I’m not sure who started all this but I have a feeling people are writing about this only because a few other blogs mentioned it. Just look at how many people are blabbing about this topic. Google: iPhone Healthcare
Im sure some physicians got all excited over the Epocrates Video and now everyone thinks the iPhone is the only phone that can do what was presented. I also find it humorous how the web2journal article mentions how valuable the phone camera is. Um, last time I checked almost EVERY SINGLE phone has a camera on it now and it usually takes 1 click to send it through email to anyone you want.
“The iPhone’s functionality is undisputed – as a phone, camera, media device and web browser all in one device – who needs anything else?”
What smart phone CAN’T do those things? I’d sure like to know.
Now you might think I’m all anti-iphone, but I’m really not. I think it’s a great phone and I actually have plans to develop something for it. Actually, what we’re going to do is port over our Google Android app to the iPhone. I think the phone itself it slick and really pretty. But the features that everyone wets their pants about aren’t revolutionary. Why does it feel like its taboo to talk negative about the iPod and iPhone. I know I’m not the only one who questions all the hype around these products. Is it because secretly everyone wants one? Maybe.
My biggest issue with the iPhone is that you have to own a Mac to develop on it. They refuse to create the IDE and SDK for windows or any other OS. I guess the outrageous price is a big issue too.
I’d like to meet a developer who writes stuff for Apple products. Do they really exist? I’ve never seen one. I bet they’re just busy listening to their iPods with the Easter Bunny somewhere.
And here I thought $10 Million was awesome from Android… Now Apple wants to invest $100 Million into startups to get some apps rolling out for the iPhone.
http://www.macworld.com/article/132416/2008/03/ifund.html
“The iFund will focus on areas including location based services, social networking, mCommerce, communication, and entertainment.”
Im not exactly sure how location based services are supposed to work on the iPhone. It doesnt have GPS.
