3rd Party Apps vs. Unlocking as a priority

[metanoia]

Hi All,

I guess since I have a normal channel (post-paid AT&T) activated phone, I don't care much about unlocking, but care more about 3rd party apps. I guess my point of view is that having 3rd party apps on the iPhone will force Apple's hand in releasing their SDK. I mean, Apple would probably rather have their tools being used to create apps vs. someone else's, if they care so much about phone/network stability.

A close (but not exact) parallel was when the XP on Intel Mac contest was going on - Apple released their solution only weeks after the hackers were able to patch XP to work with EFI.

Anyone else agree?

Metanoia

[lampcov]

At the risk of starting a riot, I'll agree with you. I too (he said with a certain amount of shame) a plain ole AT&T subscriber, but had always sought the unlocked/unbranded phone for my use, until the iPhone.

I appreciate the intense desire of those who won't or legitimately can't use AT&T, or those overseas, or those who just think it's not fair. But I too agree with the last post, that while unlocking is the holy grail from a "we beat them" standpoint, aren't things like 3rd party apps, a GUI tool for all this amazing customization/ringtone activities, and other things similarly important?

If I had the development skills I'd join up, and since I don't, I would NEVER complain about priorities, but I wonder if a two-pronged approach wouldn't have merit. A team dedicated to the unlocking effort, and another team on the functionality/usability side.

Just an idea. And for the record, everything you guys have accomplished is absolutely incredibale, and makes me enjoy my iPhone more and more each day. And when you can unlock it, and I travel to Eurpoe and Asia I will be singing your praises as I insert my prepaid SIM and flip "The Bird" to AT&T's extortionate roaming fees.

[gonads]

Apple wont release an SDK, just look at Appletv. They will just implement things as they go along. ie Youtube on apple tv announced a week after the 3rd party app came out.

[ozzielad]

I disagree. As a iPhone owner who can't use AT&T I want the phone unlocked. I paid full price (some say more than full price! ;)) so I think I'm entitled. Others may disagree - but I'd suggest they are the ones that can use the phone as a phone now. One of the great things about a democracy and a forum is you get to hear both sides.


O

[DaffyDuck]

Considering there's two demographics with an interest in an unlocked phone:

- Those living abroad wanting an iPhone now.
- Those travelling and wanting to use local SIM cards to avoid AT&T's exhorbitant fees.

While third party apps would be nice, that niche is currently served with the web-app solution. There is no solution for an unlocked iPhone -- which is why I feel the efforts should be focused on unlocking.

[DrFun]

The web app solution is nice, but on EDGE is also slow.
It would also be nice to have local apps that will load faster, and be able to do more then web app would be capable of. Imagine being able to authenticate to your work network not only by VPN, but also supporting Group ID and password, with radius authentication like a nortel platform. I dont see this being possible with a web app. Not to mention if a web app was created for this I would not trust it.

Yes, for the people that bought the phone and cant activate it on ATT I do hope a unlock program does appear. But playing devils advocate you also did buy this phone with out knowing if unlocking was even possible. Thats the gamble you took I guess.

[Joe.lipinski]

As someone else said, 3rd party apps would be great. What would be the best is if apple would release a toolchain so that people could develop apps and then submit them to apple who could I guess go over the source to make sure it doesn't exploit the end-user's information and then give users the option to install it. If they fear that people will package the programs they make with the firmware.. oh well it's not like the can force it to install on other people's iPhone's... I guess that could open up doors to unlocking the phone or messing with possible precious settings/programs/files on the phone... who knows.

[az1324]

VOIP is a great "we beat them" victory too. Thats #1 on my list.

[ozzielad]

Seems third party apps won.... :(

[moralpanic]

Seems third party apps won.... :(

Quit your bellyaching. We all 'won' with this accomplishment. The people that are working on unlocking are probably not the same people working on the third party apps. You can only have so many chefs in the kitchen before things start getting messy.