Topics: Mobile

Will Apple Open The iPhone When Leopard Ships?

Posted by Stephen Wellman, Oct 5, 2007 05:30 PM

If you haven't had enough iPhone-mania this week, get ready for some more. The latest iPhone rumor claims that Apple will unlock the iPhone when its new OS, Leopard, ships. Why would Apple suddenly open the iPhone now?

Here is a look at the latest iPhone rumor:

Rumors are circulating that the Cupertino-based company is speaking with partners who develop games as well as applications for the iPhone/iPod, and that it will use the development model created by T-Mobile for its Sidekick device to bring trusted developers on board. Those developers who create seemingly desirable software and who can refrain from interfering with software already available for the iPhone could develop their applications natively and potentially distribute their works with Apple's help.

I suppose this is encouraging, if it's true. But it doesn't change the fact that Apple has seriously annoyed a large base of its customers -- and damaged its reputation in the marketplace -- with the bricking scandal this week.

And it also doesn't look like Apple is really going to be that open with the iPhone. Check this out:

Apple would still retain complete control over which developers could produce native software for the device, however, effectively splitting the difference between trying to maintain a completely closed system while eager hackers develop their own native iPhone apps and an entirely open system with no control over any developer savvy enough to compile programs for Leopard.

If this rumor plays out as described here, I don't think the iPhone will be sufficiently open. It sounds like Apple is still trying to control this platform. This developer program is a good first step -- assuming it pans out -- but this doesn't look like its enough.

What do you think? Do you think Apple will announce an iPhone developer program when it ships Leopard?

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