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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."

11 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.

    1. Re:Disneyland by Red+Flayer · · Score: 4, Funny

      Try going to Disneyland and doing whatever you want to do, rather than what the people in control of the park actually condone.

      I tried that, and failed -- but it wasn't Disney that stopped me.

      For the sake of brevity, let's just say that the Minnie Mouse character is NOT anatomically correct.

      --
      "Trolls they were, but filled with the evil will of their master: a fell race..." -- J.R.R. Tolkien on Olog-hai
    2. Re:Disneyland by MBGMorden · · Score: 4, Funny

      Tell me about it. I think I managed to avoid the Cinderella stand-in filing a restraining order, but just barely. I'll be damned if she's getting that shoe back though.

      --
      "People who think they know everything are very annoying to those of us who do."-Mark Twain
  3. Apple also has a web app gallery... by SuperKendall · · Score: 5, Informative

    Apple has a web app gallery too.

    The difference between now and then is, that web apps have access to most of the sensor data on the phone... so there are a lot more ideas that a practical to do as web apps now than there were before.

    But still native apps will always give a developer the performance edge and full access to every nook and cranny of the device.

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
  4. Slashdot: Disneyland shouldn't exist for anyone... by Brannon · · Score: 5, Insightful

    because some people don't want to go there.

  5. Re:Take a look at their so-called apps. by jisatsusha · · Score: 4, Funny

    Add in Fart Simulator and Flashlight and you just described half the apps on the official App Store.

  6. It's already been done by MattskEE · · Score: 5, Informative

    The Cydia App Store has also been around for a while, serving the jailbroken iPhone market. Of course there is not a huge number of apps on it, but there are also lots of free apps in the Cydia repository.

    1. Re:It's already been done by stokessd · · Score: 4, Informative

      However, with Cydia there's a huge range of apps that make your phone significantly better. And most importantly they are the sorts of aps that you can't get on the official app-store. Things like frameworks to change the look and feel of your phone (winterboard, and springboard replacements, new keyboards etc). There's better ways to control your phone like SBSettings where all your critical settings are a simple swipe away.

      So no, there aren't a lot of apps that could be sold in the app store (because you'd most likely want to sell them in the official app store), but cydia is like having a couple more isles in the store full of the stuff that will make your life better even though it's officially not allowed.

      Now, where's my damn jailbreak for the new iPhone?!?

      Sheldon

  7. 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.

  8. 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.