Why iPhone developers should defect to Android

Quite a bit has been made lately over Apple's treatment of developers who want to create apps for the iPhone and iPod Touch. The company has consistently played games with developers by keeping them in the dark and ensuring that each time an app is rejected they're given as little information as possible.







Of course, this doesn't come as a surprise to those of us who have followed Apple all these years. The company has always been suspect of third-party developers and has consistently failed to do the right thing even when it's faced with a PR firestorm. After all, if the mainstream doesn't pay attention, who cares?






But it's that kind of mentality that could get Apple into trouble. Sure, it worked fine for the company with Mac OS X and it has every right in the world to stop apps from getting into its store if they're undesirable, but that doesn't stop the onslaught of complaints that Apple is acting in a way that's more than a little "wrong."






Let's see if I can capture the main points. First, Apple announced that the first iPhone wouldn't have third-party apps. It took almost a year for the company to come around and finally let third-party developers create apps for its follow-up. But once that happened, all hell broke loose.






First, developers repeatedly made claims that Apple's excessive restrictions were out-of-hand, only to be followed once the App Store launched with a few notable removals from the store, including Nullriver's NetShare and Box Office.






Since that time, Apple has stayed quiet on what it takes to gain entry into the App store, the company has given poor reasons why it won't accept apps, and now it's believed that Apple's rejection letters are covered under its non-disclosure agreement, which means developers won't be able to help each other gain admission to the store.






All the while, developers across the globe are wondering why they thought Apple would do the right thing, given its history.






For all its troubles, the App Store is still being flooded with applications: Russell Beattie found 450 new applications in the store in just one week.






That number may seem high, but given the outcry from developers, I'm willing to bet that the number of applications denied could be much higher. Once again, Apple won't spill the beans.






So what can developers do? After investing time and money into an application only to be told by Apple that it's not admitted into the App Store can be a bitter defeat. But now that Android is finally shipping in T-Mobile's G1, why not jump to Android?






Unlike Apple's draconian policies, Android is an open platform and Google and the rest won't spend time trying to stop as many third-party developers from producing apps for the platform.






But the main problem with developing for Android is that the hardware isn't uniform. Some Android-based phones will sport touch-screens, while others will not. That makes developing applications far more difficult, considering the possibility of dealing with a wide array of hardware. But then again, who cares? Rejected iPhone app developers can still create touch-screen Android apps and for those that don't have a touch-screen Android phone, well, they're out of luck.






But perhaps the most compelling reason why developers should defect to Android is because it will finally wake up Steve Jobs and company. Right now, I don't know why Apple should even care about all these developers crying about their beloved apps. The way I see it, they need Apple; Apple doesn't need them.






But if they defect to Android and the Android market becomes a real powerhouse, the whole game will change. Suddenly, Apple will need to take notice and realize the error of its ways.






It might be a long-shot and Apple may not even care that Android is taking its leftovers, but it's worth a shot, isn't it? For developers who invested their time and money into an application that they thought was worthwhile, being rejected by Apple is difficult. But they need to realize that Android is out there and available if they're willing to put the time in and create the app on that platform.






And if enough developers do create Android apps, it'll force Apple to take notice and hopefully change its ridiculous policy of keeping basic and useful information secret, while making it more difficult than it needs to be on developers.






There's always one other option for rejected developers: they can try to go it alone and offer their apps themselves. That will work for, oh, about 10 minutes until Apple finds it and shuts it down.






Android can be a refuge. Developers shouldn't forget that.






 
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Why The T-Mobile G1 Is Better Than The Apple iPhone

All the hype came to its crescendo this week as T-Mobile, Google and HTC jointly released the T-Mobile G1, the first commercially available mobile device based on the open source Linux Google Android operating system.



The touch screen G1, known to some as the HTC Dream, bears some similarity to the Apple iPhone, which saw amazing uptake with the release of its 3G model. Even the original iPhone, released 15 months ago, still garners a great deal of hype.






And while it's uncertain whether the T-Mobile G1 and Google Android will unseat the iPhone for smart phone supremacy, the G1 is better than the iPhone, though it might not be as pretty.






At the G1's official launch on Tuesday, the main focus was on Google Android's openness and its work with the Open Handset Alliance. Along with unveiling the physical device itself, the Google and T-Mobile teams also launched the Android Market. Similar in concept to the Apple AppStore, Android Market enables third-party application developers to offer their apps to be used on the device.






The Android Market, simply put, is better than Apple's AppStore.






Google's hands-off approach means there will be no whining about what applications do and don't get picked up. Essentially, a developer can offer his or her application on the market without fees, review or even Google's stamp of approval. With Apple keeping a tight grip on the apps offered in its AppStore -- anyone remember IAMRICH? -- Android Market will be a breath of fresh air.






The G1 may earn a leg up on Steve Jobs' baby because T-Mobile is a better carrier than AT&T. It might come as a surprise, considering T-Mobile currently doesn't support 3G in every major metropolitan area, but the G1 will also support Wi-Fi and 2G networks until T-Mobile gets its high-speed 3G initiative fully up and running. Many potential iPhoners have been put off by the AT&T mandate, which is now in place until 2010, often complaining about the data plan pricing and unsatisfactory service.






While T-Mobile is bound to offer a few dead zones of its own, it has set reasonable pricing on its plans, offering a limited plan for $25 and an unlimited Web and messaging plan for $35. It's estimated that over a two-year period a voice and data plan for the G1 could save consumers nearly $400 compared to similar service for an iPhone. Plus, the G1 comes in around $20 cheaper than the cheapest iPhone model with a two-year contract.






Where the iPhone is sleek and slender, the G1 comes with a little more girth and weight. But the extra fractions of an inch and added ounces are worth it for the physical full QWERTY keypad. Similar in style to T-Mobile's now-iconic Sidekick line, the G1's screen slides up to reveal a full keyboard, with enough short cuts to ease Web surfing and make messaging simpler -- without relying just on a touch-screen keyboard to get the job done.






The G1 also offers multimedia messaging, copy and paste, voice dialing and a removable battery, which the iPhone notably lack.






And for those who buy devices for looks more than functionality, the G1 comes in three colors, while the iPhone hits just two: black and white. The G1 adds brown to the mix.






Both devices also offer a host of similar features and functions. Both have a music player, Bluetooth, GPS, GoogleMaps with Satellite View and Traffic and POP3 and IMAP email. The G1, however, relies on Amazon's MP3 store and the iPhone on Apple iTunes for music. The G1 also wraps into GoogleMaps Street View and a compass mode that orients the screen as the user moves, features the iPhone is missing. No, the G1 currently doesn't support Microsoft Exchange for email, which the iPhone does, but it does offer push Gmail and the device's makers anticipate someone will create an Exchange application for it soon and offer it in the Android Market.






Oh, and the G1 has a 3.2 megapixel camera, a touch higher than the iPhone's 2 megapixels.






Will these reasons be enough to propel the G1 past the iPhone? That remains to be seen. Research firm Strategy Analytics is predicting that the G1 could sell 400,000 units by year's end, accounting for roughly 4 percent of the smart phone market. While analysts at Piper Jaffray have predicted that Apple will have sold 5 million iPhone 3Gs in the past quarter. Surely, Google and T-Mobile have an uphill battle, but its strong feature set and subtle differences could be the boom the smart phone market needed for Apple to find its true rival.






 
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How 2... Type e-mails in landscape mode on iPhone or iPod touch

For all of the great features found on Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch, one of the big annoyances is that when you are writing an e-mail you can't turn the phone horizontally to make the keyboard bigger (landscape mode). Although Apple may fix this problem in a future software update, if you can't wait, you can download TouchType, a 99-cent program that lets you write e-mails in landscape mode.

1. Access the App Store on your iPhone or iPod touch or through iTunes when your device is connected to your computer.

2. Search for "TouchType," select it and purchase and install the app.

3. When you want to compose a new e-mail message in landscape mode, tap to launch the app and turn your phone sideways. Type your message in the blank space and when you are finished, tap the send button in the upper right hand corner of the screen.

4. A new e-mail message opens up in your default e-mail account (you can change which account is the default one in the Settings menu) with the text you just entered pasted in the body of the e-mail. Address the message, fill out the subject line and send it as you normally would.

5. To reply to a message using TouchType's landscape keyboard, open the message in the Mail program, tap to reply to the message and then press the home button. Launch TouchType, type your reply in the blank message that appears and click to send it. The text you just typed is then pasted into your reply message and you can just tap "Send" to dispatch your response. If you have multiple e-mail accounts and you are not replying to a message sent to your default account, you'll have to tap the "From" line and select the correct e-mail address to send the reply from.

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Make your iPhone look like the computer it really is

The iPhone can run a lot of applications. Some of them are simple, some, like several of the games, are complex. Whether you think of it as such or not, the iPhone is a computer. Soon, it can be made to look more like a traditional one.

A company named Olo Computer has a new product coming soon that is basically a netbook (a small laptop) with a built-in dock for the iPhone. The dock, which resides where a trackpad would be on a regular laptop, apparently allows you to run what is on your iPhone on the netbook’s larger screen. With its small camera above the screen, keyboard with small spaces in between the keys and pure white case Olo’s device even looks like a MacBook (at least until the new ones come out on Tuesday).

But the picture of the device on Olo’s site is deceiving. The image on the screen shows the computer running Apple’s OS X operating system — the real version, not the version that runs on the iPhone, as iTWire points out. So unless Olo is planning to install OS X on its systems (which Apple doesn’t allow), there is no way the netbook could pull information from the iPhone to run full OS X.

It’s not really clear what the Olo system will be able to pull from the iPhone. If it can completely recreate the iPhone user experience on a larger screen while you use the iPhone’s touchscreen itself to control everything, that would be pretty cool. But how would the system know to use the full-sized keyboard of the device rather than the iPhone’s keyboard if you’re using that to control other aspects on screen?

It would seem that Olo will have some kind of customized application for the iPhone to handle the transition to the netbook screen, but would Apple allow such an application in its App Store? Maybe, or maybe not. Apple has come under fire for rejecting some applications that compete with its own apps. Apple also might not like one that changes the way the iPhone is used.

If it works, such a device could be very useful — especially for heavy travelers. Or it could be another Palm Foleo — a similar device for Palm that was cancelled shortly after it was introduced in 2007.

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Lifted iPhone NDA opens the door for conferences, books

 The collective sigh of relief when Apple lifted the iPhone non-disclosure agreement (NDA), which had prevented developers from discussing iPhone programming, came not just from developers, but also from educators, authors, and publishers. With the NDA gone, iPhone-related books can be published, and conferences can be much more detailed—leading to better education.

Publishers and authors who had books written had to shelve them because publishing the material would have broken the guidelines of the NDA. However, with the NDA removed, users can expect to see an abundance of information hitting the market, targeting everyone from developers to end users.

“It was huge having the NDA lifted,” said Bill Dudney, trainer and co-author of the upcoming book iPhone SDK Development (Pragmatic Bookshelf, 2008).

Like many other authors, Dudney had a book written about the iPhone, but couldn’t publish the book without breaking the NDA. Now, Dudney—along with countless others—can bring his product to market. (A quick search for iPhone books on Amazon.com shows a number of titles available for pre-order).

An abundance of books on the market isn’t the only benefit we can expect to see. Conferences will now feature better sessions because speakers and trainers will be able to speak freely about what it takes to make a good iPhone application.

iPhoneDevCamp organizer and co-chair of O’Reilly’s iPhoneLive conference, Raven Zachary said he is excited about what this means for future conferences. Zachary said they have tentatively added an introduction to iPhone development session at the upcoming conference, which is something they couldn’t have done before Apple lifted the NDA.

In previous conferences, speakers would have to talk about Mac development tools and try to relate them to the iPhone, without speaking about the iPhone—a tough task.

The NDA stifled growth in the development community simply because new developers had a limited amount of resources to seek help. Now, Dudney said, trainers can speak freely and actually help attendees with questions they have about developing for the iPhone. With new developers come new applications and innovation, which only helps the platform.

Perhaps not coincidentally, a week after lifting the NDA, Apple announced the iPhone Tech Talk World Tour, a series of free tech talks about the iPhone for developers.  Topics include an introduction to Objective-C and Cocoa Touch, how to integrate the iPhone into an IT environment, submitting your app to the App Store, and iPhone game development

The end result for iPhone users should be a better choice of applications as developers continue to push the envelope of innovation. 

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The BlackBerry Storm is no iPhone

Tech journalists and gadget lovers across the globe are rejoicing over the announcement of the BlackBerry Storm, RIM's first touchscreen cell phone to compete with the iPhone.

Those who can't wait to get their hands on BlackBerry's latest call it a marvel and its keyboard functionality, which makes you press down on the screen to register a "touch", is something worth drooling over.

OK, I guess I can concede that the Storm is really neat and the touchscreen idea is fantastic. But I still don't see how the BlackBerry Storm will be able to compete on any level with the iPhone 3G.

It's not that I have a problem with RIM--I think the BlackBerry Curve is a fantastic device--or that I'm not impressed by the Storm. I just don't see how BlackBerry's first touchscreen device can compete against the iPhone if the vast majority of "mainstream" users simply don't know anything about it.

Go ahead and ask the person next to you at the office about the BlackBerry Storm. Chances are, if they aren't in to technology like you and I, they wouldn't have the slightest clue about it even though it's making headlines all over the tech world today.

Then ask those people what they knew about the iPhone the day after it was announced. I'll bet you'll find that they knew much more about the iPhone than the BlackBerry Storm.

Do you see what I'm getting at here? No matter how important a new device in the cell phone business may be to the growth of the industry, it will never be able to outshine the iPhone.

And that's where RIM finds itself now. The BlackBerry Storm is an incredibly appealing device in its own right and slowly, but surely, the device will make its way into the mainstream as reports break out about its functionality and usability, but until that happens, it's a mystery to the average user.

In contrast, the iPhone wasn't a mystery to anyone once Steve Jobs showed it off at his Stevenote. The mainstream media was in attendance to see what he had up its sleeve and reported on every last detail. On launch day, every single major media outlet was chomping at the bit to cover the cell phone industry's latest and greatest offering.

Will that happen with the BlackBerry Storm? Uh, no. Instead, the Storm will be covered by a select few media outlets in the middle of a newscast and quickly forgotten about after that. There won't be local stations covering lines around the Verizon store and even when it's released, the average person probably won't know about it.

So how does RIM fight the Apple onslaught and the mainstream media that only cares about Steve Jobs?

It can't.

All RIM can do is keep releasing compelling products that make businesses and the tech-savvy crowd take notice and wait for that knowledge to trickle-down into the mainstream. Sure, it won't be easy, but it needs to be done.

Apple has help with every product it releases, but RIM doesn't have that luxury. So no matter how great the Storm will be, it doesn't matter.

It's sad, but true.

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BlackBerry Storm's Clickable Twist Tries to Beat the iPhone

 

Verizon will launch the Storm later this fall.

 

BlackBerry maker Research in Motion has finally launched its first touch-screen phone. The BlackBerry Storm's large screen firmly pits it against the iPhone, with keyboard twists that hark back to the BlackBerry's strength.

RIM has worked hard to elevate the touch-screen keyboard from purely virtual, trying to better the software version that can frustrate avid messengers on the iPhone. The Storm's software keys respond with a hardware "click" that the company says feels like a hardware keyboard.

The thumb-typing keyboard, after all, helped make the BlackBerry an immense success. And it was hard keys that drew many customers back to their BlackBerry after a brief affair with the iPhone and other touch-screen phones.

RIM didn't stop with clicks in trying to enhance the software keys. The Storm offers not one but two virtual keyboards. One is in full QWERTY style as with most of its phones, and another is a smaller keyboard with bigger keys that double up on letters. The second version uses SureType software to guess, from context, which letter you want. The software is borrowed from the BlackBerry Pearl, whose keypad was an early RIM departure from a full keyboard.

The Storm looks to be an attractive phone with a full suite of features, from the two-finger touch capability that the iPhone first made famous to rich multimedia software. But it's hard to imagine that RIM, whose BlackBerry software I've always found more awkward than slick, can match the iPhone's intuitive interface.

So, RIM was smart to keep a grip on the keyboard, at least as much as a touch-screen would allow.



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Apple Loses Bid to Dismiss iPhone Monopoly Suit

Were the terms in AT&T's two-year service agreement for iPhone customers deceptive? Plaintiffs in a class action suit against Apple and AT&T Mobility believe so and Wednesday, a federal court in Northern California agreed there was enough evidence to let the case continue. In doing so, the District Court for Northern California dismissed AT&T's motion for arbitration and denied Apple's motion to dismiss the case. Apple could not be reached for comment.

The companies are charged specifically with violations of federal antitrust laws and other consumer protection laws. The complaint alleges Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) and AT&T (NYSE: T) restricted voice and data services to the iPhone after signing the two-year service agreement (common to many phone plans), but did not reveal those restrictions at time of purchase.

First generation iPhones were sold at Apple and AT&T stores but the customer had to do the activation on their own at home. Other cell phone companies perform activation in the store, and Apple switched to that process as well for the iPhone 3G launch in July.

The ruling comes at a time of upheaval in the mobile device market, sparked partly by Apple's introduction of the iPhone last year. More recently, phone giants like Verizon and Nokia are moving to make their devices more open to outside developers, while the first device based on Google's Android software was released last month.

For more stories on this topic:

The plaintiffs argue last year's version 1.1.1 upgrade of the iPhone's operating system wasn't merely an improvement offering new features for consumers, but as a way of "retaliating against consumers who had unlocked their iPhones or installed unapproved" third party applications. Apple knew, the suit says, the update would "brick," or damage, some iPhones that were unlocked or contained non-Apple sanctioned software.

As proof, the suit points to an Apple press release that said installing version 1.1.1 "will likely result in the modified iPhone becoming permanently inoperable when a future Apple-supplied iPhone software update is installed." The suit also states consumers who's unlocked iPhones were damaged as a result of installing the update were told they had breached the warranty.

One sticking point; the terms of service for the iPhone states that disputes be settled through binding arbitration or small claims court, which is what prompted AT&T Mobile to move for arbitration.

However, the plaintiffs in the case argue that under California law the agreement for arbitration is "unconscionable' and should not apply, noting that iPhone buyers don't see the Terms of Service agreement until they return home with their new iPhone and connect to the Internet. The court ruling states the arbitration agreement is "unconscionable under all relevant state laws."
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Creative Strategies analyst Ben Bajarin said he'd be shocked if Apple and AT&T don't appeal. "It's currently at the lowest court level," he told InternetNews.com. "Apple can appeal and I'm sure it will. They can fight this on any number of different ways I'm sure." 

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30 percent of iPhone 3G buyers dump existing carriers

Apple's iPhone 3G apparently created a summertime switch itch: 30 percent of all the smartphone's buyers bailed on their existing carriers in order to purchase the device, according to an NPD Group report released Monday.
AT&T has been the iPhone 3G's exclusive carrier in the U.S. since the smartphone was released in June.


According to the report, which covers June through August, 47 percent of those switching to AT&T to get the iPhone 3G came from Verizon Wireless, 24 percent from T-Mobile, and 19 percent from Sprint.


"While the original iPhone also helped win customers for AT&T, the faster network speeds of the iPhone 3G (have) proven more appealing to customers that already had access to a 3G network," Ross Rubin, NPD director of industry analysis, said in a statement.


By contrast, about 23 percent of consumers overall switched carriers from June through August.


During that same time frame, the smartphones with the highest unit sales were Apple's iPhone 3G, followed by Research In Motion's BlackBerry Curve, RIM's BlackBerry Pearl, and the Palm Centro, according to NPD.
Prior to launching its 3G version, Apple's iPhone accounted for 11 percent of the smartphone market in 2008. But since the 3G's launch, that figure has risen to 17 percent of the market since the start of the year.
"The launch of the lower-priced iPhone 3G was a boon to overall consumer smartphone sales," Rubin said.


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More hidden features found in latest iPhone 2.2 beta

iPhone 2.1 represented both a large leap of stability across the OS and a brisk stride of new features in key areas like the iPod app and even SMS. Now that folks have dug through recent builds of the beta iPhone 2.2 updates, Apple will apparently maintain a casual jogging pace with new features, though you wouldn't know it from the release notes.

According to MacRumors, three significant features have so far been found in beta builds of iPhone OS 2.2 currently available to developers. Probably the most interesting is Google Street View, a feature that T-Mobile's Android phone has been touting over iPhone. There's no word on whether the iPhone's version of this feature will use the same accelerometer-based gimmick that Android does. We can tell you, however, that at least a couple of us in the Ars Orbiting HQ would prefer to see other Google Maps features in lieu of Streets, such as the excellent public transit (bus, train, and subway) integration that Google supports for some major metro areas.

The next feature is support for Japanese emoji icons, for which MacRumors created a screenshot. Emoji is made up of picture characters that are all the rage in the Japanese mobile market, and analysts have cited the iPhone's lack of support for them as a key factor of slow iPhone adoption in the country.

Last, but probably not least, is a new preference for shutting off the iPhone's system-wide auto-correction spelling feature. Apparently, some people have a nasty case of the "wanna-write-the-most-illegible-e-mail-evar-itis," and iPhone 2.2 may finally grant their wish.

There is no word, however, on whether the much-anticipated push alerts system is back on the table. As you may remember, Steve Jobs previewed iPhone push alerts at WWDC 2008 in June as a compromise between allowing applications to run rampantly in the background and giving the iPhone's battery a shot at lasting through your morning commute. The system was slated to arrive in September, presumably in iPhone 2.1, but was pulled mid-August. 

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iPhone 3G Second Best-Selling Mobile Phone Among U.S. Consumers

This should warm the hearts of all iPhone fans out there and send a shudder through competitors.

The Apple 3G iPhone is now the second best-selling mobile phone among U.S. consumers after the Motorola RAZR V3, says research firm The NPD Group.

The 3G iPhone has helped Apple add market share quickly. Before the launch of the device, iPhone sales represented 11 percent of the consumer market for smartphones. After the launch of the 3G iPhone Apple had 17 percent of the market share.

During June through August 2008, the top four best-selling smartphones based on sales to consumers were the Apple iPhone 3G, the Blackberry Curve, the BlackBerry Pearl and the Palm Centro, says NPD.

iPhone service provider AT&T also seems to be reaping the rewards of its exclusive deal with Apple. About 30 percent of U.S. consumers who purchased the 3G iPhone from June through August switched from other mobile carriers to join AT&T, says NPD.

That compares to about 23 percent of consumers who on average switched carriers during the same period.

And it seems like Verizon Wireless is feeling the greatest pain. Nearly half of new AT&T iPhone customers that switched carriers switched from Verizon Wireless, while about 24 percent came from T-Mobile and 19 percent switched from Sprint.

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Why Nokia's 'Tube' Is the iPhone's Biggest Threat

The iPhone is still king of the smartphone, but Apple's future dominance is in serious question with a flurry of new competitors. Nokia is the latest to threaten the iPhone's dominance with its just released touchsceen phone the 5800 Express Music phone, previously known as "Tube."

While this is not Nokia's first touchscreen phone (the 7710 was launched back in 2004) the Finns definitely borrowed some design cues from Apple's iPhone, but it seems that Nokia has hit all the right notes with the 5800. And above all, apparently, you get so much more for your money than with an iPhone.

The 5800 Express Music will be available this quarter for about $390, simfree (iPhone comes with a two year contract for $199). Only the simfree part could be a great selling point, as you would be able to use the phone on any network, anywhere around the world, without the hurdle of unlocking the phone(legally or not quite as legally).

No word on when this phone will hit the US market. Unfortunately it's highly unlikely to see the 5800 here in the U.S. in time for this holiday season. Most likely, Nokia will test the waters across the pond in Europe and early next year we might see Tube on a GSM carrier in the UK, as in T-Mobile or AT&T. But if you travel to Europe this winter, you can snap up an unlocked one from there - as the Tube is compatible with North American HSDPA (GSM) carriers.

Tube will feature the Nokia's Comes with Music bundle, which will allow users to freely download an unlimited number of songs from Nokia's Music Store over a year after the initial purchase.

For the iPhone, you know the drill: iTunes Music Store, $0.99 a pop. Being able to download as many songs as they want, for free, seems to be a great selling point for the 5800, especially for those who are on a lower budget.

Nokia's 5800 Express Music also features a 3.2-megapixel camera, with autofocus Carl Zeiss optics and a dual LED flash. All these blow iPhone's 2006 style 2-megapixel-no flash camera out of the water. Also, Tube records videos at VGA quality (640X480px) and has a frontal camera for video calls, something that the iPhone can't do at all. In this category, it's clear who's the winner.

Storage capacity-wise, the 5800 and iPhone seems to be on the par. Tube comes with an 8GB memory card and supports up to 16GB cards. Still, the Tube can have a slight advantage for those who want more than the given storage capacity, as they can buy additional memory cards and just pop them in the phone (iPhone's memory is built in and cannot be expanded).

The rest of the features, are just like one would expect from a true iPhone competitor. GPS, Wi-Fi and a 3.5mm jack so you can plug in any headphone you like. But as an added extra, 5800 will support Adobe Flash from the start, something that iPhone is still lacking, so the Web browsing experience might even be better than Apple's.

The only thing left to doubt about the new Nokia 5800 Express Music is the software interface. From pictures and video snippets around the Web one can't really give a proper verdict which one is the winner.

Meanwhile, stay tuned for a full review.

The Apple hype did help Apple to sell millions of iPhones, but Nokia sells over 500 million devices every year, out of which almost 100 million are smartphones. If we take in consideration brand loyalty and the other advantages Tube has over iPhone, we're about to see a very tight competition between the two.

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T-Mobile's G1 vs. The iPhone: Game On!

Finally Apple gets some serious competition with T-Mobile's G1. Here is how the two stack up against each other.

Since the iPhone was launched 15 months ago it has defined, for many, what a smartphone experience should be. But today T-Mobile gives the iPhone a run for its money with the launch of the G1 smartphone. From the details that have emerged today regarding the G1, Apple now has a reason to be looking over its' shoulder.
Here is a look at how G1 and the iPhone compare to one another.
Platform and Device
In contrast to Apple that built its own phone, operating system, and content ecosystem, the G1 is based on an open platform. That means any software publisher can design programs that run on the G1 and its Android operating system. The potential universe of T-Mobile G1 applications is huge. Yet, it's too early to know whether mobile application developers will flock to the Android platform.
At least for now Apple has the upper hand when it comes to the device. The number of iPhone mobile applications (accessible via Apple's App Store) is growing every day. However, Apple's total control over the iPhone can also be bad because Apple can choose to exert too much control over what applications run on the iPhone and bar those that it doesn't like, upsetting users.
Hardware Specs G1 vs iPhone:
Weight: G1 = 158g vs iPhone = 133g
Battery Life: G1 = 5 hours talk time, 130 hours standby vs iPhone = 5 hours talk time, 300 hours standby
Screen Size: G1 = 3.2inches vs iPhone = 3.5in
Camera: G1 = 3MP vs iPhone = 2MP
Storage: G1 = 2GB (expandable to 8GB) vs iPhone = 8GB or 16GB
Mobile Apps
The big difference between G1 and iPhone is how you put music, videos, games, and productivity applications on your phone. The iPhone has iTunes, mobile iTunes (for iPod Touch and iPhone) and the App Store.
Things work differently with T-Mobile's G1. The G1 doesn't require a desktop software porgram similar to iTunes to add content to your phone. Content can be added via a removeable storage card, but most content T-Mobile says will be downloaded using Wi-Fi connection.
Many Google applications will come pre-loaded onto the G1, for example push Gmail service, Google Maps functionality, Google Calendar, and YouTube. T-Mobile is only talking about a handful of third-party applications right now. There are likely loads more to be announced leading up the G1's October 22 debut. Some include ShopSavvy, a program that turns your phone into a barcode scanner able to read UPC codes and deliver instant price comparisons and PedNav, a location-aware application that helps you find nearby public transit options and walking routes.
These mobile applications will be available through Android Market - a competitor to Apple's App Store.
Music: Amazon MP3 vs. iTunes
The iPhone has iTunes and the G1 has an application preinstalled called Amazon MP3, Amazon.com's digital music download store.
Amazon many not have as big of a library of content to choose from compared to iTunes, yet. But the chief advantage Amazon has over iTunes is music is a bit less expensive and music tracks don't have digital rights management (DRM) on them. That means anything you download to you G1 you can play on your iPod, Zune, or transfer to your PC - no hassles.
There was no mention of it today, but one can only assume that video content, as with music content, will be also be accessible through Amazon's Web-based download service.
Features: G1 vs iPhone
G1 = Touchscreen, QWERTY keyboard, Internet access via 3G and Wi-Fi, additional content via Android Market, music from Amazon, built-in GPS, and "compass" for easy navigation, instant messaging, push-email, locked Sim card, Web browsing.
iPhone = Touchscreen, virtual QWERTY keyboard, multi-touch gesture support, Internet access via 3G and Wi-Fi, additional music and applications via iTunes and App Store, built-in GPS (second-gen iPhone), Visual Voicemail, multi-touch gesture support, Microsoft Exchange support, push-email, locked Sim card, Web browsing.
Cost
The overall two-year cost of owning a $200 iPhone is $2360 (unlimited texting). The cost of owning a G1 with an identical texting plan is between $1620 and $2460.
Here is the breakdown:
The T-Mobile G1 will run you $180 with two-year contract - add $25/month for an unlimited data plan (which includes unlimited Internet usage and limited messaging) or a $35/month plan for unlimited messaging. A basic T-Mobile voice plan ranges from $30/month (300 minutes) and $60/month (1500 minutes). T-Mobile says in order to purchase the G1 you must also get a "qualifying rate plan." T-Mobile didn't get back to me on what a "qualifying rate plan" for the G1 is.
On the other hand Apple's iPhone will run you $200 (8GB) which also requires a 2-year contract. The rate plan will set you back basic rate-plan is $70/month (which including unlimited Internet access). For another $20/month you can get unlimited text messaging.
There is too much we don't know about the device to make any comprehensive comparisons. One big variable is 3G coverage and how comprehensive T-Mobile's network is. That was a big deal for people considering buying and upgrading to the second generation iPhone.
Network speed and other details we'll just have to wait and find out about when the G1 launches next month.


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iTunes 8.0.1: Problems Syncing the iPhone, iPod touch

Several users have reported problems syncing their iPhones after updating to iTunes 8.0.1. The most common error message is as follows: “an unknown error 13014.”

As one reader writes:

“I just downloaded and installed iTunes 8.0.1 on my iMac running 10.5.5, and synced my non-3G iPhone. I immediately received an error message stating that “The phone ‘[my iPhone's name]‘ cannot be synced. An unknown error occurred (13014). Thinking I’d probably be able to fix it by resetting the phone, I did so.

“Now, 15 minutes into the reset, the phone is syncing nicely with no major issues, except that I’m still getting prompted that it can’t be synced about every 15 seconds or so. It’s even kind enough to queue up the errors so that if I ignore them for a few minutes I can go back and just click ‘OK’ half a dozen times and then go back to whatever I was working on. No idea of the cause, outside of the iTunes upgrade.”

Users are reporting similar issues with the iPod touch.

Apple Dicussions poster Wade Dansby writes:

“I have the exact same issue with my iPod touch. As soon as I downloaded and installed the new iTunes update, all the problems started. Have tried restoring settings several times. To no avail.”

In some cases, simply restarting the host computer and restarting the iPhone can resolve this issue. In other cases, this procedure is unsuccessful. 

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Apple lifts non-disclosure on iPhone software details

After months when developers have rankled and complained about being unable to discuss the best ways to develop for the iPhone, Apple has lifted its NDA - to cheers. Now, how about those App Store guidelines?

Apple has announced that it's lifting the non-disclosure agreement on released iPhone software.
Here's the dirt:

We put the NDA in place because the iPhone OS includes many Apple inventions and innovations that we would like to protect, so that others don't steal our work. It has happened before. While we have filed for hundreds of patents on iPhone technology, the NDA added yet another level of protection. We put it in place as one more way to help protect the iPhone from being ripped off by others.

But there was a downside..

However, the NDA has created too much of a burden on developers, authors and others interested in helping further the iPhone's success, so we are dropping it for released software. Developers will receive a new agreement without an NDA covering released software within a week or so. Please note that unreleased software and features will remain under NDA until they are released.

And let's not forget how it came about:

Thanks to everyone who provided us constructive feedback on this matter.

Where in this case "constructive feedback" would be "telling Apple to drop the NDA". (In one case, through a site's name - which now shows the relief on developers', um, web faces.)
This also means that the book that was planned on developing for the iPhone can go ahead - and that at least one London company that was planning to offer an iPhone development course, and would otherwise have had to have signed its students to NDAs themselves before they could come in, can breathe a bit easier.
This is separate, of course, from the "mysterious methods used to choose which software can and can't go onto the iPhone App Store", which hasn't stopped riling developers. Apple came back to me a week after my initial enquiry as to what its policy was, to say that it was "still awaiting clarification from the US". Possibly that will be the next one to be crystallised into something more helpful. Though we're not, as ever, holding our breath.



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Facebook delivers version 2.0 of its iPhone app

Facebook on Tuesday released version 2.0 of its popular iPhone app (iTunes Store link). This release contains a lot of the functionality that is in the full version of Facebook, making the iPhone version much more attractive. Some key features added include friend requests, notifications, people search, photo tagging/captioning, full News/Mini Feeds, message attachments, and inbox search.

The application, overall, seems to be more snappy and definitely has a better look to it. The inclusion of friend requests and notifications is big here, adding a whole new level of usefulness to the app. People search is also an extremely useful addition to the app, allowing you to find people who aren't already your friends. Additionally, photo tagging is integrated very well and along with captioning, makes the photo uploading part of the app fully functional.

A point of pain and confusion among my friends since Facebook launched their iPhone app has been the lack of message attachments. Messages would not display their attachments, creating miscommunication between those using the iPhone app and those using the browser based version. Thankfully, that issue has been resolved in this update.

This is the version that a lot of people were expecting at launch for Facebook's iPhone app. Many were disappointed by the lack of wall posting (which was quickly added) and other features on day one and this update should do well to satisfy them.

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Apple shares plunge, but may be saved by iPhone

Apple saw its shares plunge more than 18 percent by the end of trading Monday, as two analysts downgraded the computer and consumer electronics maker in the face of worsening economic conditions and weak projected demand. However, some did say the iPhone 3G may be the company's saving grace.

It was the single biggest drop in Apple's shares in more than 16 months, and came on a day when the U.S. stock market got hammered because of the collapse of the financial bailout bill. Kathryn Huberty of Morgan Stanley changed her rating from overweight to equal-weight and RBC Capital Markets analyst Mike Abramsky cut his rating to sector perform from outperform.

However, the glimmer of good news in the company's misfortunes is that the iPhone 3G continues to be the hottest smartphone on the market, and may be the catalyst that drives growth at the end of the year for Apple.

"Market sales will slow, but I don't think that level of deterioration is likely for Apple," said Andy Hargreaves of Pacific Crest Securities. "Because of growth in the iPhone and stability with lower price points for iPods, Apple will continue to drive strong cash flow."

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IBM Lotus Embraces Apple's iPhone with Free iNotes Web Application

IBM Lotus releases iNotes ultralite, a Web application available as part of IBM's Lotus Domino Web Access 8.0.2, that lets users access their Notes e-mail from Apple's iPhone. The messaging and collaboration application heightens the iPhone's viability as an enterprise-grade device. How soon before IBM creates a Lotus Notes application for T-Mobile's G1 phone, based on Google's Android operating system?

IBM Sept. 30 threw its hat into the iPhone ring with the introduction of iNotes ultralite, a free Web application that lets corporate workers access their Lotus Notes e-mail, calendar and contacts lists through Apple's Safari browser on Apple's iPhone.

However, to use iNotes ultralite, iPhone users must also be Lotus Notes subscribers. They may access the app here as part of the new Lotus Notes software 8.0.2. IBM suggests iPhone users also use IBM's Lotus Mobile Connect virtual private network software along with ultralite to make the sign-on process much easier.

Andy Brunner, principal and owner of IBM business partner ABData Information Technology Consulting and Engineering, vouched for iNotes in a statement, noting that it is "very fast, works well and has the same look and feel of the iPhone user interface."

Access to inotes is the latest feather in iPhone's cap as an enterprise application provider after some critics called the device too consumer-oriented for the enterprise.
Indeed, Microsoft Exchange works on iPhone and now Lotus. What more do corporate road warriors need to consider this when looking for an enterprise device?

This is great for iPhone users who want to leverage Lotus Notes, but I wonder how many of them there are today.
Lotus Notes and Domino adoption has grown to more than 140 million licensed users worldwide, but most of these Lotus Notes mobile users are owners of RIM BlackBerrys, Nokia Symbian devices, maybe even Palm Treos.

Will there be enough call for iNotes on the iPhone? And will an Android developer create a similar application for the T-Mobile G1?
Again, we are stuck in the waiting game. I bet a developer will port Exchange to the G1 before someone writes a Lotus Notes port for the first Android smart phone.

Meanwhile, IBM today also said it is now shipping Lotus Protector for Mail Security, which protects companies from Web-based spam and viruses.

The application includes a "high-performance engine with comprehensive scanning and filtering techniques," designed to deliver a 99.99 percent detection rate as certified by independent tests. The application also blocks incoming and outgoing content based on customer specifications.


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I.B.M. Puts iPhone in the Lotus Position

Apple’s push to make the iPhone a desired device among the world’s largest companies should receive a boost this week thanks to I.B.M.

At long last, I.B.M. has issued software which will bring the e-mail, calendar and contacts functions handled by its Lotus Notes software over to the iPhone. Called iNotes Ultralite, the package will be free for anyone with a Lotus Notes license, and, as of last check, I.B.M. had moved about 140 million Lotus licenses. Lotus Notes remains popular among corporations.

Apple tends to celebrate the iPhone’s place as the latest and greatest mobile device for consumers. Such attention, however, does not diminish Apple’s hopes that corporations will pick up the product as well. After all, companies can drive bulk sales and will pay for the pricey data services tied to mobile devices. Just ask the BlackBerry and Treo set.

Business customers can already tap into their corporate e-mail with the iPhone if they use Microsoft Exchange and Outlook. In addition, you’ll find software like a mobile version of Salesforce’s business applications available on the Apple App Store.

For the moment, iNotes Ultralite works as a Web-only application where people will log into their e-mail and other Lotus Notes functions via Apple’s Safari browser. By going through the browser, customers access their data without leaving any information on the actual device – a plus should your iPhone go missing.

I.B.M. explained away its late arrival to the iPhone game, saying it wanted to focus on these types of security concerns before going after business customers.

“The other products aren’t actually encrypting the data on the devices,” said Kevin Cavanaugh, vice president of Lotus software at I.B.M. “I think we were concerned about the security aspect, and this turned out to be the best approach.”

The iPhone software from I.B.M. has been undergoing tests at about 20 businesses.

Even while paying attention to the flashy iPhone, I.B.M. maintains its closest relationship with Research in Motion, the maker of the BlackBerry. I.B.M.’s full suite of Lotus products can run with the BlackBerry devices. Apple would need to free more information about the inner workings of the iPhone and its base software to see comparable support from I.B.M., Mr. Cavanaugh said.

“I don’t see the iPhone as a challenger to R.I.M. as a sort of comprehensive business platform, but it is starting to enter the enterprise,” Mr. Cavanaugh said.

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Apple Recalls Breakage-Prone iPhone 3G Chargers

Apple is recalling the iPhone 3G USB power adapters shipped with the handset in the U.S., Canada, Japan, Mexico, and several other Latin American countries.

In a page on its support site, the company says that under certain conditions, the adapter's prongs can break off "and remain in a power outlet, creating a risk of electric shock." Apple has received reports of broken prongs "involving a very small percentage of the adapters sold," but no injuries have been reported, the support site says.

However, iPhone 3G owners should stop using these adapters immediately, Apple says. Instead, until they can exchange them for a redesigned version (identifiable by a green dot in one of its corners--see below), they should charge the phone by connecting the USB cable to a computer.

Apple says it will replace the defective adapters in Apple retail stores starting October 10; alternatively, you can order a replacement adapter online--but then you'll have to wait. Apple says replacements ordered online will ship within three weeks of the order date, starting October 10.

To obtain a replacement, you must provide the serial number of your iPhone 3G. If you order online, you must provide your name and address for shipping, and be prepared to return the defective adapter in the shipping box Apple will provide.

Those who go to an Apple store to get a replacement must also bring the defective adapter as well as their iPhone 3G.

Details of the Latin American exchange program will be announced before October 10, the company says.

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Local software developers struggle to meet Apple's iPhone standards

When Apple opened its famed iPhone to third-party software developers months ago, a number of Minnesota-based authors jumped at the chance to create applications for the hot-selling touch-screen handset.

Dealing with Apple is a mixed blessing, those publishers are discovering.

The California company exerts tight control over what apps can be installed on the iPhone and how that software is made available. It is sometimes secretive about the process, too. This has caused frustration as developers strain to discern what will or won't pass muster with the famously circumspect firm.

If Apple rejects an app, the author has to make changes based on often-cryptic information and with no guarantee the software will ever make the grade.

Take the Whoopie Cushion.

Minnesota-based DoApp announced this novelty application with fanfare in early July, bragging in a press release that "you can now have your iPhone pull the classic prank ... one that will make you and your friends roll with laughter."

Only one problem: The Whoopie Cushion software never showed up on the App Store, the Apple online storefront that is the only official site where iPhone apps can be sold and loaded onto phones.

DoApp had uploaded the software to the App Store, only to wait for weeks with nary a peep from Apple on why the app never became available for download.

In late August, Apple finally told DoApp via e-mail that its app "does not comply with Community Standards. When selling in the world market, community standards need to be taken into consideration, (and) bodily noises are not universally acceptable behavior."

DoApp marketing director Graeme Thickins wrote in an earlier DoApp blog post that "there is no rhyme or reason to how Apple decides to put apps on the App Store — meaning which ones, or in what order, or in what categories. And it's none of your business, thank you very much, since they're the most secretive company known to mankind!"

Apple has drawn ire from developers around the world for its App Store practices. It has pulled programs from the App Store without explanation after they were initially made available for download. It has rejected others because they purportedly mirror features in its own software, according to news reports.

In one highly publicized case, an iPhone program for streaming or directly downloading podcasts to the iPhone was denied App Store access, reportedly because it "duplicates the functionality of the Podcast section of iTunes" —never mind that Apple's iTunes Store doesn't provide direct podcast downloads to iPhones, only via computers.

The author said on his blog last week that he asked Apple what changes to his Podcaster app were needed, but got no answer.

Apple declined to be interviewed for this story.

Such difficulties are all the more frustrating for developers because of how successful the App Store has become. Apple last week announced downloads had exceeded 100 million since the storefront's launch July 11. The App Store now offers more than 3,000 apps.

More than 600 of these are available at no cost, with developers hoping to establish a relationship with consumers who will eventually be willing to spend some money for future apps. The rest of the inventory at the App Store typically runs from $1 to $10. Many such apps also work on Apple's iPod Touch, a touch-screen device similar to an iPhone but without mobile-phone capabilities.

In a news release, Apple trotted out a quartet of iPhone developers who crowed about the ease with which software can be created and deployed and boasted about the App Store's revenue-generating potential.

Another developer, Tap Tap Tap, said on its blog last month that it pulled in $75,177.38 for two of its apps, the Tipulater tip calculator and the Where To? travel assistant, over a 24-day period. After Apple took its standard 30 percent cut, Tap Tap Tap was left with $52,815.

While this was encouraging, it said, there was also bad news in rapidly declining sales at the tail end of that period.

For all its frustrations, Minnesota developers still say they're excited about the App Store, and are scrambling to exploit this thriving and lucrative new marketplace.

DoApp has churned out other apps, including its popular myLite app that turns an iPhone into a flashlight or party light, and a myTo-Dos program for keeping track of personal tasks. All but one of DoApp's five available downloads are free — it charges $1 for a Magic 8-Ball-like myAnswers program.

Mariner Software of Minneapolis is working on a mobile version of its Calc software for iPhone and iPod Touch to read and edit Excel spreadsheets received by e-mail. Mariner President Mike Wray has relished "exploring uncharted territory" as a software developer and has begun planning for an iPhone-based version of his Write word processor.

CodeMorphic, another Minnesota developer, has just finished a streaming-audio app for Minnesota Public Radio junkies. That software lets them hear local news, classical music and pop music from local MPR stations via Wi-Fi or high-speed cellular connections on iPhones or iPod Touch players. The MPR-branded app was uploaded to the App Store earlier this month and became available late last week.

REFACTR JUMPS IN

Apple rejected two other CodeMorphic apps with humorous and edgy natures, according to company co-founder Damon Allison. The apps, created on behalf of another CodeMorphic customer, got dinged for "questionable content" in one case, Allison said, and "lack of utility" in the other case.

"Both were subjective measures," he noted, adding that his client "wasn't told why or what he needed to change."

CodeMorphic is hard at work on other iPhone apps, some intended for distribution by clients, and at least one — a picture-annotating application dubbed Aloha — likely to be distributed directly.

The firm recently made waves on the Web with a test program that mimics a rotary phone dialer. It has mulled whether to make that available for download, but a number of other rotary dialers (including a new one dubbed Bakelite) now exist.

"We're having a blast" as iPhone-app developers, Allison said. "Right now the iPhone is in its heyday."

Minneapolis-based Refactr, which develops software for its corporate clientele, also has begun to dabble in iPhone-based development but finds this process perplexing at times.

Because Apple restricts what third-party publishers can publicly say about its software-writing tools and how these are wielded, it can be difficult for writers to compare notes and help each other move forward, said Refactr principal Jesse O'Neill-Oine. An ecosystem of technical manuals, blogs and discussion forums for iPhone developers has yet to take root, he and others lament.

O'Neill-Oine echoes DoApp's complaint that Apple has been too secretive in how it approves iPhone software for App Store distribution.

"Apple has struck gold and bungled the whole process at the same time," O'Neill-Oine said. "They have shown the mobile space the direction forward. At the same time, there is so much animosity with the whole approval process. Apple has not been transparent at all." 

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AppleInsider says Apple may soon let 3G iPhone buyers activate at home; 32-gig iPhone possibly on the way

File this under 'R' for rumor, but AppleInsider says it has received reports from Apple store employees that 3G iPhone buyers will soon be able to purchase their phones in-store and then activate them at home.

That would be a return to the sales model used for the original iPhone, which was undoubtedly more convenient.

Presumably, you will still have to sign up for a contract at the cash register at the AT&T or Apple store, though, even if you then take the phone home and activate it via iTunes.

Because the only way AT&T can afford to subsidize the 3G iPhone (unlike the original iPhone) is by ensuring that 3G iPhone buyers sign up for a two-year contract before they leave the store.

So, even if true, this rumor probably isn't as big a deal as it sounds.

I wonder, though, if AT&T is getting ready to sell unsubsidized 3G iPhones on a month-to-month contract. That option was promised way back before the 3G iPhone was released, but hasn't been mentioned since.

AppleInsider doesn't say anything about that. It's just my personal speculation.

  

AppleInsider does wonder, though, if 32-gig 3G iPhones are imminent, as it has noticed a relative shortage of the 8-gig models.

So the 8-gig model would be phased out, the 16-gig would become the entry-level model, and the 32-gig the high-end model.

Seems like if Apple was going to do that, it would have made the announcement at the Let's Rock event a few weeks ago, but maybe they just weren't ready, and that's why the event ended up being somewhat lackluster.

Anyway, there's your bushel of Apple rumors for the week.

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iPhone developer sidesteps App Store to sell banned Podcaster

After Apple turns down his app, Alex Sokirynsky uses iPhone beta-test mechanism to distribute his software.

A week after Apple Inc. rejected his iPhone application and barred it from selling on the App Store, developer Alex Sokirynsky has turned to a little-known, but still Apple Inc.-approved, distribution channel to sell his work.

Sokirynsky, who in August submitted his Podcaster application to Apple for inclusion in the company's App Store -- the company's online iPhone mart where programs can be downloaded, some for free and some not -- received the rejection notice last Thursday.

Apple's rejection was to the point. "Today I finally got a reply from Apple about the status of Podcaster. The Apple rep said, 'Since Podcaster assists in the distribution of podcasts, it duplicates the functionality of the Podcast section of iTunes'," Sokirynsky said in a post to his blog. "That's right folks, it duplicates the functionality of the desktop version of iTunes."

ITunes, which is available in versions for Windows and Mac OS X, connects to Apple's online music store, plays music and other audio and video content, and synchronizes the iPhone to data, including music, stored on the computer.

Podcaster allows iPhone and iPod Touch users to subscribe to, manage, download and listen to podcasts without first downloading them in iTunes on a Mac or Windows PC.

"I was very surprised," Sokirynsky said today in an e-mail. He cited several examples of similar overlap -- calculator applications, for example, as well as other music-playing applications -- where Apple has allowed third-party developers to sell their wares on the App Store.

The online reaction last week to Sokirynsky's rejection was overwhelming negative, with one iPhone developer flatly saying he was through with Apple. "I will never write another iPhone application for the App Store as currently constituted," said Fraser Speirs in a post of his own last Friday.

Speirs called on Apple to publish clear rules for what will be accepted and what will not, and to add some kind of pre-approval procedure to the App Store application process.

"You have to wonder if Apple wants the App Store to be a museum of poorly designed nibware written by dilettante Mac OS X/iPhone OS switcher-developers and hobbyist students," Speirs said. "That's what will happen if companies who intend to invest serious resources in bringing an original idea to the App Store are denied a reasonable level of confidence in their expectation of profit."

Sokirynsky said he appreciated the support from Speirs and other bloggers who railed at Apple last week. "I'm happy that he is taking such a stand," Sokirynsky said. "He is saying that we want change, some clear rules and better communication and a faster response.

"I have several ideas on how to change Podcaster so that it does not duplicate iTunes, but I would need to get that approved prior to starting any work," added Sokirynsky. By his estimate, he put about two months of work into Podcaster.

But that time has apparently not been wasted.

Since Apple rejected Podcaster, Sokirynsky has been selling his software using the "Ad Hoc" method, the name Apple has given to the distribution channel it set up earlier this year as a way for developers to beta-test their iPhone applications, and for enterprise developers to offer custom iPhone apps to corporate users for business use. Ad Hoc allows up to 100 iPhones or iPod Touch devices to download and install a specific build of an application. To enable downloads, the developer must obtain each iPhone's UDID (unique device identifier) code.

Sokirynsky has created a Web site to sell Podcaster directly to customers for $9.99, twice the $4.95 he had proposed to sell it for on Apple's App Store. During the process, buyers must submit their iPhone's UDID, then download and install the application to their computer.

He was reticent to talk about using Ad Hoc to sell Podcaster, afraid that Apple would somehow block that avenue, too. "I will just tell you that Apple said that I can share the app with friends and family using the Ad Hoc method," Sokirynsky said. "The method allows you to give the application to 100 users at a time. I don't want to get into any trouble, although it is perfectly in the limits of what Apple allows me to do."

Sokirynsky declined to reveal how many copies of Podcaster he had sold, but Niall Kennedy, a technology consultant and president of Hat Trick Media, said that as of Monday, Sokirynsky had provisioned 1,130 devices using 12 different builds hosted on Google Code.

Kennedy, who advises clients on iPhone development issues, said Sokirynsky was "stretching the Ad-Hoc distribution model a bit," but that Apple had not yet reacted by, for example, pulling Sokirynsky's developer credentials or somehow banning Podcaster from iPhones.

Apple could conceivably disable the application by using the iPhone's "kill switch," a feature that would let the vendor remotely cripple potentially malicious applications. Last month, Apple CEO Steve Jobs confirmed that the iPhone 2.0 software included a kill switch capability.

"I think this is an ongoing process," said Kennedy in an interview today, talking about the App Store approval procedure. "They could clarify what it will or will not allow in the App Store, but I think Apple does work with developers." Kennedy rejected Speirs' suggestion that Apple institute some kind of pre-approval process and argued that the picture from the developer side was completely different than that of others, including reporters, looking in.

"We want to work with Apple on this," he said.

And Sokirynsky remained optimistic. "I have not had any [new] communication with Apple, [but] I would love to work with them to modify my application so that it gets approved. Even if they release the features on the iPhone, they could release Podcaster and we can compete."

As for advice to others who might find themselves in his position, Sokirynsky had something for them as well. "Keep developing," he urged. "I am going to develop this app for all available phones and devices, and others should do the same with their own apps."

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