+44 (0)20 7930 4158POPULAR TOOLS
Apple softens app stance and releases developer guidlines
Apple is reversing its decision to restrict software and coding languages for iPhone and iPad developers in an apparent effort to placate the app makers. The move follows an angry response to changes introduced earlier this year. In a statement, Apple says it has listened to developers and "taken much of their feedback to heart". The company is now releasing guidelines for the first time, to help developers understand how it reviews submitted apps and why some apps are rejected.
In April Apple made the controversial decision to change the wording of the iPhone 4.0 developer kit. This stopped developers from building cross-platform apps to be converted into iPhone-compatible coding. Instead, Apple required all apps to be "originally written in Objective-C, C, C++, or JavaScript". Apple CEO Steve Jobs said the move was meant to eliminate sub-standard apps, but developers criticised the changes for effectively forcing developers to abandon certain developing practices and programs, such as Adobe's Creative Suite, which allows apps built using Flash to be published to the App Store.
Commenting on the new changes, Apple says: "In particular we are relaxing all restrictions on the development tools used to create iOS apps, as long as the resulting apps do not download any code. This should give developers the flexibility they want, while preserving the security we need."
Apple's initial decision to bring in the restrictions was seen by many as a shot at Adobe, and came amid a bitter war of words between the two firms. The April decision coincided with the launch of Adobe's latest update to its Creative Suite software and was greeted with a furious response from Adobe officials. Apple refuses to allow Adobe's Flash technology to run on its mobile devices.
In a lengthy public letter, Steve Jobs claimed in April that Flash technology drains battery, creates security risks and is unsuited to mobile devices. Referring to Flash developer tools he added: "We know from painful experience that letting a third-party layer of software come between the platform and the developer ultimately results in sub-standard apps and hinders the enhancement and progress of the platform."
The u-turn comes as Apple pledges to publish an App Store Review Guideline, a move that could fend off further criticism of the way Apple polices its App Store. The firm has come under fire in the past for its selective approach and for banning apps. Famous exclusions include the Eucalyptus iPhone e-reader app, which was banned because one of the 28,000 free e-titles it linked to was the Kama Sutra.
