A handful of Web browsers for the iPhone have silently appeared at the App Store, a seeming reversal of Apple’s policy to block sales of applications that competed with the cell phone’s built-in Safari.
The four applications — Edge Browser, Webmate, Incognito and Shaking Web — employ Apple’s Webkit framework, the software used to build Safari.
Apple’s apparent thaw in its refusal to add some applications to the App Store doesn’t seem to extend to heavy-weight Safari rivals Firefox and Opera. Cupertino maintains projects relying on non-Apple software development techniques,cannot be sold via the App Store.
In October, Opera’s head Jon Stephenson von Tetzcner complained to the New York Times his company had developed an iPhone version of the browser, but its sale on the App Store was halted by Apple.
Today’s move is a sign Apple feels secure enough to ease off on some of its past restrictions.
“What you’re seeing is the result of them feeling secure that
the iPhone and Touch are fairly well established in the marketplace,” Gartner analyst Mike McGuire told Cult of Mac.
McGuire said Apple will “remain fairly vigilant” when it comes to security, compatibility and test.
Now that Apple is taking steps to smooth developer’s ruffled feathers, the company may establish policies removing applications that aren’t selling well.
2 responses to “Analyst: App Store Changes Reveal More Secure Apple”
Apple has really been conservative of it’s brand image, and didn’t wnat to spoil it, much to the inconvenience of users. It’s good Apple is lowering its restrictions now!