Apple working on improvements to Web-based iPhone SDK
Apple is reportedly working on solutions that will help developers gain more exposure for their Web-based iPhone apps, but presently holds no plans to issue a "true" software developers kit (SDK) that would allow for native third-party application development.
Our friends over at Ars are citing what we believe to be a reliable source in saying that the Cupertino-based company is currently working on a handful of updates to Safari and the iPhone that may address some of the more common gripes developers are waging regarding their ability to write useful apps for the touch-screen handset.
"For example, Apple is currently jamming on adding offline storage capabilities to Safari -- something that would rival Google Gears in being able to serve up web applications locally without having to access the Internet," Ars writes.
The publication's sources say that the project is entirely geared towards the iPhone, with the goal of making the current WebKit-based iPhone 'SDK' more functional from a developer standpoint, in turn allowing them to produce more user-friendly applications for end users.
Those same sources say that because of this, the SDK will remain web-based, where applications will continue to be based primarily on a mix of HTML, CSS, and AJAX technologies, rather than native Mac OS X APIs.
Still, Ars hints at the distinct possibility that Apple as part of its improvements will offer "more local JavaScript access to useful iPhone functionalities, and developers might eventually also be able to create home screen icons that will point to their (presumably) offline web apps."
As for why Apple continues to block efforts on the part of developers to write more powerful native applications for iPhone, their sources have no concrete explanation. However, once source offered the following quote as part of his theory: "[Steve] Jobs is a control freak and doesn't want people messing with perfection."
Our friends over at Ars are citing what we believe to be a reliable source in saying that the Cupertino-based company is currently working on a handful of updates to Safari and the iPhone that may address some of the more common gripes developers are waging regarding their ability to write useful apps for the touch-screen handset.
"For example, Apple is currently jamming on adding offline storage capabilities to Safari -- something that would rival Google Gears in being able to serve up web applications locally without having to access the Internet," Ars writes.
The publication's sources say that the project is entirely geared towards the iPhone, with the goal of making the current WebKit-based iPhone 'SDK' more functional from a developer standpoint, in turn allowing them to produce more user-friendly applications for end users.
Those same sources say that because of this, the SDK will remain web-based, where applications will continue to be based primarily on a mix of HTML, CSS, and AJAX technologies, rather than native Mac OS X APIs.
Still, Ars hints at the distinct possibility that Apple as part of its improvements will offer "more local JavaScript access to useful iPhone functionalities, and developers might eventually also be able to create home screen icons that will point to their (presumably) offline web apps."
As for why Apple continues to block efforts on the part of developers to write more powerful native applications for iPhone, their sources have no concrete explanation. However, once source offered the following quote as part of his theory: "[Steve] Jobs is a control freak and doesn't want people messing with perfection."
Comments
Here's hoping that:
1) We get an actual SDK, not a few scattered tech papers. Something Dashcode-like?
2) It lets web apps pop out of Safari and run full-screen
3) It gives us capabilities beyond what's currently possible on the web
This *could* support quite decent apps, if done right. But until an iPhone web app runs ONLY on iPhone (and iPod Touch), it won't be taking full advantage of its features.
You also get a 512-bit hash "seal of approval" that you insert into the code, which gets decoded by the iPhone at runtime. This prevents unauthorized developers from circumventing the approval process.
JUST GET ME 3RD PARTY APPS!!!!!!!!
As an enhanced iPod with phone and email, iPhone is fantastic. But as a device that lives up to its potential, it's turning out to be an appalling travesty. Apple: liberate this device!
Sent from Steve Jobs' iPhone.
(Cause it sure doesn't feel like it's mine.)
crappy webapps that require a working Internet connection to run
You may have noticed this in the original article:
something that would rival Google Gears in being able to serve up web applications locally without having to access the Internet
However with offline storage, compiled Javascript, ability to run full screen, home screen icons, and iPhone GUI tags (like <toolbar>, etc, rather than having to duplicate the iPhone GUI in HTML + CSS with loads of little images, etc) it could be sufficient. It needn't even be HTML, it could be an iPhone GUI markup language that ties in with Javascript for processing.
It doesn't need to have full access to the iPhone's system, and Apple could expose access to data on the device via a web service on the device itself, rather than direct access, and other things to provide functionality and access to local data, without compromising the device.
Otherwise in the end people will be hacking the iPhone, writing native applications, and the tools to do it will become more reliable and effective.
I expect to see new features the day Leopard is released (Tuesday, October 30th). For instance, iPhone Notes should sync with Mail 3.0 in Leopard.
JUST GET ME 3RD PARTY APPS!!!!!!!!
Exactly which one do you miss the most?
Popcorn?
iBrator?
Expect the first apps to come from big names like EA, Yahoo, Google, or Apple itself. Later, smaller developers will get invited into the fray, if they come up with truly innovative ideas. The selection of apps I toyed around with briefly before the 1.1.1 update were all pretty useless, if you ask me. I ended up uninstalling everything before the update, not out of fear of bricking my iPhone, but for lack of finding anything I wanted to keep.
As for why Apple continues to block efforts on the part of developers to write more powerful native applications for iPhone, their sources have no concrete explanation. However, once source offered the following quote as part of his theory: "[Steve] Jobs is a control freak and doesn't want people messing with perfection."
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
Or how about AT&T telling Apple if you want revenue sharing then guarantee that you'll thwart hacks that will break our revenue streams from the iPhone. I believe that's closer to the truth than anything posted yet.
http://www.wired.com/gadgets/mac/com...urrentPage=all
You want a note pad? Use google docs!!
The industry is moving towards 100% online applications, why would Apple, who historically uses modern technologies first as standard(USB, Firewire) break their pattern and support the old programming model.
The big problem with you people who want true third party apps, is your age, and it really shows. Get with the times already and make your app work on the web like it should.
I applaud you Apple, for protecting your name by not letting people f%#* with your product: the way you always have and hopefully always will.
You want a note pad? Use google docs!!
This is a perfect summation of the insanity. Buy a paper note pad, it'll cost you next to nothing and a physical object is more likely to be remembered.
Personally, I wouldn't want to carry around a pen and paper because I'd need to bring it with me everywhere, which i most certainly will not do (i've tried, it's just not convenient or attractive to appear to be taking notes on life in public). My phone, however, is always with me and should provide that simple function, which the iPhone does with the ease of a bookmark.
All in all, what people don't understand is that you SHOULDN'T load your tiny little device with a thousand tiny little applications, because you're going to fill it up and slow it down; using safari will keep that zippity speed, let you bring more movies, music and photos with you and even let you find new tools you didn't even know existed, without having to pay for or go through the trouble of finding them.
This is a GOOD thing. 3rd party apps that cannot run on the web is NOTHING more than a total lack of effort on the part of the developer. ANYTHING is possible using computers, so don't give that 'it can't be done on the web' bs. (not you spamsandwhich)
You want a note pad? Use google docs!!
Alright? How about apps like GPS, or Audio recorder/playback?
Such apps cannot be programmed through a web-browser, and they were available via Installer before firmaware 1.1
(8gbs isn't much buddy)
I remember making apps for Prime computers with only 16k of memory that ran complete companies.
Just because we can make devices that can support 8gig of ram does not mean we as developers have to be bad programers and use all of it.
You are showing your age by making remarks like this.
Exactly which one do you miss the most?
Popcorn?
iBrator?
I'm tired of editing my video in Final Cut on my big bulky MacBook Pro!
Apple GIVE us 3-party apps on iPhone NOW!