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iPhone, is it an iPod or a Mac?

Walter Johnson (apparently) - 11:58am Jan 11, 2007 PST
via email

So is the iPhone going to follow the iPod path or the Mac path?

The iPod path is that everything inside the case is proprietary and
not to be touched by developers. Ever. The only way to upgrade any
part of it is to buy a new one.

The Mac path is that it ships in a very usable configuration, and you
are free to download all sorts of new software in the form of games,
utilities, productivity apps, etc. Also a limited number of hardware
upgrades from Apple and 3rd parties will be available.

For me, until this question is answered I won't be getting one. If it
turns into a Mac nano, I'll be all over it. If it turns into the
latest most expensive iPod, I've no interest.

Based on what I heard in the keynote, it's looking a lot like the
iPhone will go the iPod route. There was no mention of anything other
than the apps that ship with it. No mention of being able to download
anything executable to the iPhone in any way. The UI has no "Other"
button. No where to tap to launch anything new. It does have Widgets,
but I don't remember him installing any.

The only hint I have found that the iPhone might take the Mac path is
the fact that it runs Mac OS X. This implies that it will also run OS X
3rd party software. So here is the rub. If it was capable of running
3rd party software, wouldn't Steve have demoed it or at least
mentioned it?

[I think the real answer here is, "We don't know yet." Apple has told some people that it won't be open, but that doesn't prevent them from changing their minds or even using an unusual model, like the Nintendo game model (where developers build software, but only Apple would certify and distribute). -Adam]

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Fearghas McKay (apparently) - Jan 12, 2007 11:13 am (#1 Total: 4)

via email

Posts: 37

Re: iPhone, is it an iPod or a Mac?

On 11 Jan 2007, at 18:58, Walter Johnson wrote:

> [I think the real answer here is, "We don't know yet." Apple has
> told some people that it won't be open, but that doesn't prevent
> them from changing their minds or even using an unusual model, like
> the Nintendo game model (where developers build software, but only
> Apple would certify and distribute). -Adam]

This is not an unusual model in the Symbian world - the Series 60 v3
OS release requires certification of apps.

The telcos basically do the same thing when they take a working phone
and add their 'featureset' to it.

f

kevinv (apparently) - Jan 12, 2007 11:13 am (#2 Total: 4)

via email

Posts: 1377

Re: iPhone, is it an iPod or a Mac?

> [I think the real answer here is, "We don't know yet." Apple has told
> some people that it won't be open, but that doesn't prevent them from
> changing their minds or even using an unusual model, like the Nintendo
> game model (where developers build software, but only Apple would certify
> and distribute). -Adam]

iPod is already kind of following this model with the iPod games. Those
aren't written by Apple but are only available via iTunes.

Hmmm, the Apple TV page has a note that it won't play iPod games. What
about the iPhone?

prager (apparently) - Jan 12, 2007 11:13 am (#3 Total: 4)

via email

Posts: 37

Re: iPhone, is it an iPod or a Mac?

At 10:58 AM -0800 1/11/07, Walter Johnson wrote:
>
><snip>
>
>The only hint I have found that the iPhone might take the Mac path is
>the fact that it runs Mac OS X. This implies that it will also run OS X
>3rd party software. So here is the rub. If it was capable of running
>3rd party software, wouldn't Steve have demoed it or at least
>mentioned it?

John Gruber points out the the iPhone "runs OS X, *not* Mac OS X."
There may be a difference.

<http://daringfireball.net/#fn1-2007-01-10>
<http://daringfireball.net/2007/01/iphone_arm>

KP

Alan Neubert - Jan 12, 2007 11:13 am (#4 Total: 4)

Posts: 1

Re: iPhone, is it an iPod or a Mac?

There was mention of Apple not wanting to infect Cingular with malware, so there may well be restrictions on what apps can and cannot be loaded on to the phone.

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iPhone, is it an iPod or a Mac?

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