Apple’s App Store, the online distribution channel for applications being developed for the iPhone by third-party software makers, will presumably open its virtual doors with the release of iPhone’s 2.0 firmware and the debut of the 3G model hardware on July 11. Phone users and developers alike are understandably excited about possibilities on the horizon, but as developer Paul Kafasis writes for Inside iPhone, many aspects of the way forward remain uncharted.
With Apple having no previous experience in the role of software publisher for outside developers, Kafasis is concerned about uncertain protocols on issues including support, free trials, review copies, refunds, discounts, bulk sales, and upgrade pricing. On behalf of consumers he wonders if software will be tied to a single device, if it will be able to be backed-up and recovered later and what will happen when a user gets a new iPhone.
Most importantly, perhaps are unanswered questions about who will have and control the all-important customer information. “When we sell software to a customer, we can track visitors, hits, downloads, and more. We also get a name and email address we can use to contact the customer later, if needed,” he writes, and then wonders, “will [developers] get any of this from the App Store? If so, what pieces of it?”
Many people felt the initial release of the iPhone last year was badly hobbled by the restriction against native third-party applications. The emergence of such applications soon, and their distribution through the App Store, are thus as likely to be roundly welcomed as it is certain the roll-out will encounter bumps in the road. With a future all three parties – Apple, developers and consumers – would like to see as fulfilling, whether and when that might be the case will depend on the answers to some of Kafasis’ questions.
13 responses to “Questions Abound as AppStore Opening Looms”
I cannot believe that Lonnie Lazar is still writing for Cult of Mac after the “10 Reasons” debacle:
http://cultofmac.com/10-reason…
Where is Leander Kahney?
I am deleting Cult of Mac from my RSS reader, and I won’t add it back as long as Lazar is around. I think it’s time for Cult of Mac to demonstrate that it understands the importance of editorial standards.
With the beta release of iTunes 7.7 last night, I think a few of these questions have ben indirectly answered. Reports say that iTunes gives you an option to sync all apps, or select which ones you would like to sync. This is exactly how other aspects of the iTunes/iPhone sync work. If you get to choose, I would think these applications would be backed up on your computer. I would also think that you would be able to restore them just like you would any other file (music, video, photo, ringtone).
Dude, JoeP, lighten the hell up buddy. You’re getting upset because of what someone said about a phone… come on now.
Dude, JoeP, lighten the hell up buddy. You’re getting upset because of what someone said about a phone… come on now.
From comments on the other thread, it sounds like JoeP is more concerned with the content of the post than with “editorial standards.”
Thou shalt not criticize anything Apple…
Actually, it’s about plagiarism and incompetence.
“With Apple having no previous experience in the role of software publisher for outside developers…”
What about iPod games?