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An iPhone App Store That Apple Doesn't Control

Posted by Soulskill on from the mr-jobs-tear-down-that-wall dept.

waderoush writes "Princeton's Ed Felten has criticized the iPhone and iPad as Disneyland-like 'walled gardens' and says there's no way the iTunes App Store can 'offer the scope and variety of apps that a less controlled environment can provide.' Now there's a central marketplace where developers can sell iPhone-optimized apps without going through Apple's gatekeepers. Launched today, it's called OpenAppMkt and it's a showcase for mobile Web apps — not just the type seen back in 2007-2008, before the advent of the App Store, but also for new games and other apps developed using HTML5/CSS/JavaScript (in some cases, the same apps compiled and sold as native iPhone apps). Xconomy has a behind-the-scenes interview with OpenAppMkt's creators, who say they're not out to compete with the native App Store, but that developers deserve new ways to reach users."

5 of 144 comments (clear)

  1. Hi, I'm at black hat by yttrstein · · Score: 5, Insightful

    And I would like to tell you this:

    The iPhone App Store never, ever looked so good.

  2. Disneyland by whisper_jeff · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Ed Felten has criticized the iPhone and iPad as Disneyland-like 'walled gardens'...

    I like Disneyland. It's a ton of fun. I especially enjoy Bats in the Park. Good fun.

    Oh. Wait. You were trying to use Disneyland as a way to imply there was something wrong with it? Oh. My bad. Sorry.

    On a serious note, however, I think it's very cool that there's now an app store for the web apps that can run on the iPhone. After all, that is one of the features of the device.

  3. Slashdot: Disneyland shouldn't exist for anyone... by Brannon · · Score: 5, Insightful

    because some people don't want to go there.

  4. We can't I open a Liquor store in Epcot? by Brannon · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Disney should be forced to allow 3rd parties to do anything they want inside Disneyland. If their customers don't want to go into the porn shops, gun shops, brothels, casinos, and check-cashing stores then they can simply avoid those places while walking down Main St.

    It's really just a question of freedom.

  5. Ah, history - where are you? by vague+disclaimer · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Er,Web Apps were Apple's original vision for iPhone Apps, but everyone whined about them and hence the SKD. Web Apps are fully supported, not a swerve-around.

    But still, let's not let facts get in the way of a good conspiracy adventure.