p2pnet news | Product News:- Can a leopard change its spots? And can Apple and MySpace and Nokia suddenly open their arms to open development?

Well, maybe Nokia, but the other two?

But all three say they’ve suddenly decided to “allow” other companies to create products which’ll work on their Net platforms.

Yay!

According to Times Online, MySpace says “within months” developers will be able to write applications, “following a decision taken by Facebook, the rival social networking site, in May”.

And, “Nokia released its latest smart phone - the N810 - and said that developers would be free to write applications for it, which owners of the devices would be able to install via Ovi, the company’s internet services platform,” says the story.

MySpace always was and always will be a way for Rupert Murdoch and his minions to part punters from their hard earned cash. Nokia may not be quite so blatantly hard-core. But it’s still a corporation.

But Apple?

Jobs blogs, “It will take until February to release an SDK because we’re trying to do two diametrically opposed things at once—provide an advanced and open platform to developers while at the same time protect iPhone users from viruses, malware, privacy attacks, etc.”

The day Apple goes open will be the day it stops treating consumers and developers alike as gullible marks.
Steve & Co will be carefully watching so they can decide if incoming innovations will suitably enhance their bottom line without them having to pay for any of the development work, or whether they’ll be able to scarf it up, re-engineer it a little and offer it as their very own.

“We are working on an advanced system which will offer developers broad access to natively program the iPhone’s amazing software platform while at the same time protecting users from malicious programs,” says Jobs.
Protecting users.

As Forbes puts it, “Jobs’ note to developers Wednesday did not address how new applications using the company’s development kit would be distributed come February. It is possible that Apple will insist on approving all software, and on limiting sanctioned distribution to an Apple-owned Web site, much like the company already does for software for Macintosh computers and operating system widgets.”

Adds the story:

The company is bound to place limits on the freedom it eventually gives developers, but to hear directly from Jobs that he’s excited to place independent creations on his beloved gadget has delighted Apple enthusiasts.

Not only but also, “P.S.,” blogs Jobs. “The SDK will also allow developers to create applications for iPod touch.”

But there ain’t no free dinners where Apple is concerned.

Slashdot it!

Also See:
Times Online - Technology giants spark innovation free-for-all, October 18, 2007
Forbes - IPhone Opens Up, October 17, 2007

 

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This entry was posted on Thursday, October 18th, 2007 at 5:29 am and is filed under Product News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

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