There are so many positive things you can say about Apple. The company is truly positioned to take over the computing and mobile worlds. They already seem to own the music and video businesses. But does Apple need to tell us what programs we should and shouldn't run on our phones? Is this their place?
Recently, Apple banned MailWrangler, an application which uses a web browser to access e-mail on the iPhone. I am still at a bit of a loss about why Apple needs to check applications to begin with. Why can I download applications for Windows Mobile without anyone checking the applications.
Getting back to MailWrangler, I haven't used the program but I have recently started to use OWA or Outlook Web Access on the iPhone to access email and what I like about working in this manner is that I can turn the phone sideways and more easily read email. The native email application on the iPhone does not allow the screen to be turned sideways so OWA gives me added functinality. I imagine MailWrangler may work in a similar fashion.
Of course with the removal of the program from the app store, there is no way for me to test how MailWrangler works at the moment but I must say any application which improves email access is welcome and many people get the feeling Apple's system of approving applications lacks transparency. Still, I imagine most developers will have no choice but to develop for the new iconic phone, regardless of how tight fisted Apple is.
More thoughts from the iPhone Blog and Web Monkey.
Recently, Apple banned MailWrangler, an application which uses a web browser to access e-mail on the iPhone. I am still at a bit of a loss about why Apple needs to check applications to begin with. Why can I download applications for Windows Mobile without anyone checking the applications.
Getting back to MailWrangler, I haven't used the program but I have recently started to use OWA or Outlook Web Access on the iPhone to access email and what I like about working in this manner is that I can turn the phone sideways and more easily read email. The native email application on the iPhone does not allow the screen to be turned sideways so OWA gives me added functinality. I imagine MailWrangler may work in a similar fashion.
Of course with the removal of the program from the app store, there is no way for me to test how MailWrangler works at the moment but I must say any application which improves email access is welcome and many people get the feeling Apple's system of approving applications lacks transparency. Still, I imagine most developers will have no choice but to develop for the new iconic phone, regardless of how tight fisted Apple is.
More thoughts from the iPhone Blog and Web Monkey.
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Not for me. Too far for you. I say the good outweighs the bad. I'll re-evaluate my opinion after another four months. Maybe Apple will give developers a clearer idea on what type of apps aren't allowed. The App Store is too young to reach full maturity in a couple of months. I'm sure Apple will eventually get developer guidelines straightened out.
I'm an Apple user and investor and I want it's rights protected. It's Apple's App Store, not the developers App Store. I'm willing to sacrifice a few apps for the overall better user experience. If a developer doesn't like the restrictions, then go to WinMo, Android or Palm for all I care. See if they make more money or run into problems with Android. Palm's market share is shrinking quickly and the Treo Pro is no great shakes, so forget that. I'm more interested in games and educational programs than with mail, so I haven't been hit by Apple's restrictions. I'm willing to trust Apple's decisions as a shareholder, so I have a lot more at stake than the casual observer.
Thanks for the the comment. The question for a shareholder is whether angering many developers (and Apple is) is good for the long term health of the company. As you point out, Apple is taking lots of share at the moment so a few angry developers may not be an issue.
But, if Google's phone gains traction and I have no idea if it will, developers could look to the more open option (assuming Google is the more open option of course.)
Like you said, the App Store is young so let's see how this plays out and if Apple gets better at communicating with the developer community.