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Maggie Shiels

iPhone lifts gag order

  • Maggie Shiels
  • 3 Oct 08, 08:12 GMT

For months now, developers developing for the have been outraged and frustrated by Apple's stringent hold over them when it comes to talking about the process of creating programmes for the device.

iPhoneNon-disclosure agreements are not uncommon before a product is launched but highly unusual after that. And Apple's initial decision to make people who used its software development kit sign NDA's made discussion about developing for the phone downright difficult.

It's meant no forums, chat rooms, writing for trade journals, talking to the press or even getting together to talk about the ups and downs and ins and outs of developing applications for the iPhone.

Some developers openly admitted they were reluctant to develop for the iPhone because of the NDA. , Andy Hunt and Dave Thomas, even had to cancel a book they had planned for iPhone development.

Highly respected developer , wrote an open letter to Steve Jobs to express his disgust.

"I'm trying to stay positive in spite of recent developments, but I'm finding my attraction to the iPhone fades a little bit each day. I think it's important that you know that."

Justin Williams of told "I'm starting not to beleive in the iPhone platform and that is scary because I'm sure I'm not the only developer."

Common sense has won the day and Apple has now decided to drop the non-disclosure agreement for iPhone software.

In a statement, the company said "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."

Did the Cupertino firm really hear the torrent of discontent from developers or did the emegence of Google's powered mobile phone the help nudge them in the right direction? Did the fear that developers might flee Apple for Google's open platform result in the shift?

One can only guess the reasons for the final about face but the reaction from the developer world has been pretty positive.

Google AndroidThe Pragmattic Programmers have un-cancelled their book, so to speak. Andy Hunt told"After a rocky start, I have to say we've had nothing but help and support from folks in Apple. And eventually, the senior management listened to the community and did the right thing."

"Let's enjoy our newfound freedom to discuss the iPhone SDK," said a relieved Mr Hockenberry.

There is a belief that lifting the NDA will mean higher quality software, more competiton and a better product all round. That is of course if you pass muster with Apple and the company allows you to develop for the App Store. But that's a whole other ball game. For the moment Apple's about face will surely prove that yes, it's good to talk.

Comments

  • Comment number 1.

    According to the PR that Apple came out with, the NDA was in place so that developers couldn't talk about the new features that had been developed into the SDK, i.e. further enhancements.

    I don't believe that they couldn't talk about the SDK in general, i think the clauses were to hide the newer features.

    To prove, here's their actual response :


    Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)

  • Comment number 2.

    Actually, Maggie, when this was released on Wednesday the statement was:

    "We have decided to drop the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) for released iPhone software.

    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鈥檛 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.

    However, the NDA has created too much of a burden on developers, authors and others interested in helping further the iPhone鈥檚 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.

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

    So, aside from sounding like the mutterings of a sulky child whose been told off, this still

    a) Prevents developers from talking about software in development.
    b) As you mention, doesn't stop Apple from preventing release of applications which compete with their own.

    A step forward but still not very good, is it?

    Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)

  • Comment number 3.

    As you noted at the end of your piece this isn't the only hurdle for potential developers to overcome. The ability to distribute your applications is gated by access to the AppStore to which Apple holds the keys. Their history of which apps they allow or deny has been a little shaky of late. They certainly jealously protect their own apps from anything that might be construed as a competing product. There
    are arguments that this allows Apple to better control the "experience" of the user which is not unreasonable considering the market they operate in. However don't ever mistake the iPhone for an
    open platform in the truest definition of the word.

    Android was conceived with openness at it's core and it will be interesting to see how it competes both with the iPhone and the slew of free to develop for but proprietary Windows Mobile devices that have been out there for a while. In the end it will come down to which platform offers the best base for innovation. The next few years of mobile development will certainly be interesting :-)

    Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)

  • Comment number 4.

    Yes this NDA has really put a dent in Developers abilities with the iPhone. I mean, look at the App Store, there are hardly any good Apps in there.

    [sarcasm]

    BTW, of the 1000+ Apps available on the App Store (and the many more being developed), exactly 6 Apps have been rejected by Apple.

    6 out of 1000+ isn't bad, hey?

    Makes me wonder if Apple's threat to stop selling music wasn't hollow at all. With a 70/30 split profit (70% to Developer, 30% to Apple), why do they need to sell music?

    One hundred million downloads in 60 days. Not bad profit:



    As usual, the vocal minority have the last word on the 大象传媒 Hysteria Machine.

    Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)

  • Comment number 5.

    One of the rejected Apps, the Murderdrome comic app, was essentially Apple censorship:



    You only have to take a minute to look at the iTunes store to find stuff far "worse" than the content of Murderdrome. What give with that?

    Complain about this comment (Comment number 5)

  • Comment number 6.

    Whilst I take the point that it's only a handful of apps the main issue is that two of those rejected were competing with the native apps. Does this mean that the apps produced are going to be limited to areas where Apple have no commercial interest?

    Complain about this comment (Comment number 6)

  • Comment number 7.

    Luckily for me I have no interest in the iPhone. Business plans that include exclusivity is unfair and as such I will never support this product.

    Complain about this comment (Comment number 7)

  • Comment number 8.

    This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

    Complain about this comment (Comment number 8)

 

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