|
Hackers have already found a way into the newest iPhone software, just three months before it's officially launched to the public. The new edition of the software is officially titled version 1.2, though will get the snazzier sounding '2.0' tag on its formal launch. Hackers got hold of the software because it's included in Apple's new Software Development Kit (SDK). The main gripe between Apple and the hackers is that, while the firm encourages independent development of features to run on the phone, it wants tight control over how this is done. Apple is demanding they become the exclusive distributors of any new add-on features and will take a 30% cut of any sales.
Originally, Apple had wanted all developers to use the phone's built-in Safari web browser software to create new features. Developers said this wasn't enough to create impressive and useful applications and demanded access to the same software Apple's own staff use (included in the SDK). (Source: informationweek.com) More than 100,000 people downloaded the SDK in the four days after its release, among them a hacking group calling themselves the iPhone Dev Team. They've already published pictures and video of their programs running on an iPhone with the 1.2 software. To do so theoretically requires a software license from Apple, but none have been released yet. At the moment the hacked features only work on phones which have already been 'unlocked' to run on any phone network. But the hackers say they should soon be able to repeat the trick on an official AT&T-subscribed iPhone. (Source: modmyifone.com) The case is a good example of how the traditional view of 'hacking' is outdated. The people behind this 'hack' aren't necessarily out to make a profit or cause any damage; instead they are trying to create useful features. The problem is that software firms like Apple argue that they need to control and restrict how independent developers use their technology: partly as a form of quality control for ordinary consumers, and partly to protect their own licensing deals.
-- Related newsletter articles:
2008/03/13 Plan for iPhone's Third Party Apps Unveiled (iphone)
2008/01/18 Apple Introduces The Thinnest Laptop In The World! (apple)
2008/01/04 Apple Cuts the Line (apple)
2008/01/02 2007: A Heady Year for Apple (apple)
2008/01/15 Top Hacks of 2007 (hackers)
2008/02/22 Microsoft Reveals Its Source (developers)
2008/02/25 Microsoft Lets Amateurs Create Xbox Games (developers)
2008/01/17 Macworld Keynote Roundup (apple)
2008/02/20 Mac and iPod Prices Reaching Even Higher? (apple)
2008/02/01 Hackers Develop DIY Alternative (hackers)
2008/01/07 Gmail Flaw Drives Domain Dupe (hackers)
2008/01/28 iPhone Sales Projected to Slow (apple)
2008/02/27 Young Hacking Ring Busted by Quebec Authorities (hackers)
2008/01/14 Amazon-Sony Deal Completes MP3 Sweep (apple)
2008/01/08 Where do the Presidential Candidates Stand on Technology? (control)
2008/01/10 Netflix, Amazon, Apple: Which Will Get Video Downloads Right? (apple)
2008/01/22 Microsoft Reveals Excel Security Risk (hackers)
-- Recent articles (from all channels): 2008/05/09 Today in History: for Friday, May 09, 2008
2008/05/09 [ShellX 20080509]: 'Advanced Run', and 'Diver Windows Manager'
2008/05/09 Texas Refuses Facebook Friend Request
2008/05/09 Photo-Enforcement Technology Replaces Officers On Patrol
2008/05/09 Cuban Government Says 'Ok Computer'
2008/05/09 Excel Can E-Mail Your Weekly Reports For You!
2008/05/08 [ShellX 20080508]: 'Shell Enhancer', and 'Lansweeper'
2008/05/08 Xobni: MS Outlook Social Networking Technology for your Inbox
2008/05/08 Music Companies Jump on GTA IV Bandwagon
2008/05/08 Fascinating: Memristor to replace Binary
2008/05/08 Adobe Hopes To Make Flash Master Of The (Mobile) Universe
2008/05/08 Spiffy Envelopes and Labels in MS Word
2008/05/07 [ShellX 20080507]: 'Winbin2iso', and 'Loop Typer'
2008/05/07 Yahoo Adds Security Warnings To Search Results
2008/05/07 Apple to Lose Money on iTunes Movie Releases
2008/05/07 Amazon.com takes New York Tax to Court
2008/05/07 Need Glasses for the Slide Sorter View in MS PowerPoint?
2008/05/07 After Winning The DVD Format War, Blu-Ray Sales Tank
2008/05/06 [ShellX 20080506]: 'Visual Basic 6.0 Portable', and 'Double-...
2008/05/06 Yahoo Outsources to Jajah
2008/05/06 New HP Circuit Could Change Technology Forever
2008/05/06 Movie Downloads To Match DVD Release Dates
2008/05/06 Microsoft Ends Yahoo Bid
2008/05/05 [ShellX 20080505]: 'Ie7 Pro', and 'Desktop Ok'
2008/05/05 The WB Network Hops Online
2008/05/05 Microsoft Slashes Price of Xbox 360 Overseas
2008/05/05 Google CEO Wants YouTube to Take More of Your Money
2008/05/05 Finding Items in MS Outlook's Reading Pane
2008/05/02 [ShellX 20080502]: 'Software Virtualization Solution', and '...
2008/05/02 Rogers Brings iPhone to Canada
2008/05/02 New Google Tool Cuts Down Irrelevant Image Search Results
|
