March 06, 2008

iPhone/iPod touch Q & A

Q: Why is Apple the exclusive distributor of third-party software for iPhone and iPod touch?


A: Somebody has to take full responsibility for customer security. Apple is taking responsibility for security by issuing developer certificates that irreversibly link every app a traceable, physical creator. Apple is a good groundskeeper, too; the site's always going to look splendid.

Q: Why do I have to pay $99 to write code for iPhone, and what's that buy me?


A: You can write code for iPhone for $0; download the tools from developer.apple.com. Mess around in the simulator to see if it piques your interest. If it does, then $99, plus answers to the validation questions that Apple will ask, gets you a certificate that will burn your name into your code. When you get that, you can start debugging with a physical iPhone or iPod touch. And you can upload your software to AppStore.

Q: What is AppStore, and how do I get in it?


A: The AppStore icon will be added to iPhone and iPod touch

Q: I meant, how can I get my software in it?


A: Sign up as an iPhone developer. They'll guide you through it.

Q: What kind of merchant account, PayPal, Kagi thing will I need to get my software sold?


A: This is much as you need to worry about money: a) Pay Apple $99 to be a developer; b) write something worth buying; c) decide what people should pay for it; d) upload it to Apple; e) rejoice as you're paid 70% of your monthly sales.

Q: Is anything about this program open source?


A: Steve Jobs says no. You will find references to ARM (the MCU used in iPhone and iPod touch) scattered around the Darwin source code.

Q: Do you think it's possible to completely overwrite the software on iPhone so I can do what I want?


A: For carrier unlocking: a) Buy iPod touch; b) Buy unlocked telephone

Tom Yager writes InfoWorld's Mobile Edge blog.
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