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Developers Looking to Set Up Alternatives To Apple's App Store

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the start-digging-your-legal-foxholes-now dept.

TechDirt is reporting that in response to the frustrations with Apple's app store dictatorship, a few developers are looking to set up their own alternative app stores. Alternate app stores would only work on jailbroken phones, making their adoption scope limited, so the question is whether Apple will go after these start ups on the legal battlefield. "Apple, which collects a 30% commission from sellers on its store, doesn't break out the site's revenue. Brokerage firm Piper Jaffray estimates the site generated about $150 million in sales last year and projects total sales will grow to $800 million this year. Apple did not respond to requests for comment. But it has said in the past that with the iPhone it was trying to strike a balance between a closed device like the iPod and an open device like the PC."

3 of 192 comments (clear)

  1. Write a web application by johnthuss · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I'm working on a GWT framework for the iphone that will allow you to write a web application that looks and behaves just look a native application. A web app can get surprisingly close to being indistinguishable for native thanks to a few features in MobileSafari like:

    1) Offline application support
    2) Hardware-accelerated animations
    3) Chrome-less UI
    4) Custom application icon

    Since it is a web app you avoid the stranglehold of the app store and the LONG processing time of applications (I know, I have applied and been accepted). You also get the freedom to update your app immediately at any time without needing apple's approval.

  2. Re:Legal Issues by TubeSteak · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Well, of course Apple will go after them.

    On what basis?
    It isn't illegal to sell or offer gratis software for a platform.
    It isn't illegal to setup a website.

    Apple can claim whatever they want about jailbreaking, but the only people they can sue over it are the people developing jailbreak tools and the people using them. What does this online store have to do with either of those groups?

    --
    [Fuck Beta]
    o0t!
  3. Re:Legal Issues by risk+one · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Actually, if these stores can be set up as legitimate for-profit businesses, I wouldn't be surprised if this could lead to an antitrust case, forcing Apple to open up the iPhone.

    Or rather, another antitrust case.