iLounge's SDK Rumor

Via iLounge:

"The most controversial aspect of Apple’s SDK plan is its intention to formally approve or deny all SDK-based software releases for its devices. Our sources confirm that Apple will act as a gatekeeper for applications, deciding which are and are not worthy of release, and publishing only approved applications to the iTunes Store; a process that will less resemble the iTunes Store’s massive directory of podcasts than its sale of a limited variety of iPod Games."

Apple's total control over the apps means they could keep software like Skype off the iPhone. At first glance, it would seem that this would give an edge to an open platform like Google's Android, which supposedly will have no oversight. But I don't think it will. After all, Google phones will operate on major carriers like AT&T, same as the iPhone. And the only reason Apple would keep Skype off the iPhone would be to please the carriers. Will those same carriers allow indiscriminate data access to an Android phone? Seems unlikely to me. Wait until someone puts bittorrent on one of those phones.

It will be interesting to see a new battle playout between those who believe the iPhone and other smartphones are computers, and thus should follow the same "open" software rules, and those who see them as peripherals, such as gaming consoles or iPods, with specific rules for software development.

iPhone Used to Control ProTools Video

Here's an example of the endless possibilities of a touchscreen interface.

Google Codes No Evil (For the iPhone, At Least)

Google officially introduced an iPhone-optimized Google.com--just go to Google.com on your iPhone to see it (or just look at the picture on the right). The coolest feature is the auto-suggestion.

There aren’t many companies that would improve the functionality of a competing product, but Google continues to do that with the iPhone. Google is smart enough to know that people using mobile Google search is more important than the success of their Android mobile OS.

iPhone Thought of the Day

What really needs to be iPhone optimized? Fantasy sports.

Reader for iPhone Gets Updated

It's nice to know Google employees are taking the time to improve the iPhone and not just writing phone OS's to compete with it. Google employee Dolapo Falola announces he's used his 20% creative time to improve Google Reader for the iPhone. Reader is my #1 iPhone web app, so I'm glad to hear it. For his efforts, Dolapo got hired onto the Google Reader team.

Am I the only one who thinks that if Steve Ballmer got wind of a Microsoft employee improving the functionality of the iPhone, that employee would be f-i-r-e-d? Maybe that's why Microsoft is losing equity like crazy. D-e-s-p-e-r-a-t-e for growth, I guess.

Apple's Version of Google Gears for the iPhone?

Good call from John Gruber in pointing out Ars Technica's "Worst iPhone Source of the Month." I have to admit, I ate up the original story with a spoon and side of blueberries, but in retrospect, it seems ridiculous. The leap in logic from allowing an offline Safari app to native app is just too easy.

The iPhone As a Gaming Device: Part IV

At the Beat Goes On press event, Steve Jobs announced games for the iPod Nano. Some games would even ship with the Nano. This tells me that Apple either is building games internally, or is working closely with contractors to build casual games for their devices. Apple has its priorities right in giving games to the Nano before the iPhone, after all, the Nano is their best-selling device. But if they really want to "get aggressive" with the iPhone for the Holidays, they need to release a free game for the iPhone. Just make it a simple puzzle game, maybe port the Nano's Soduku game, and give it some special eye candy for the iPhone's gorgeous screen. To me, that's the missing piece of the puzzle. That, and maybe another $200 off the price.

iPhone Third-Party Apps? Whaddaya mean?

Apple should take the same approach that game console companies do, which is approved software companies put out approved programs for the iPhone that meet Apple standards, whatever Apple declares those to be. That doesn't take out the creativity of the process, because companies can come up with whatever they want. And Apple wants to sell as many iPhones as possible, so they would approve whatever programs the consumers want, as long as they met those performance tests.