I’ve been getting really annoyed with FriendFeed on the iPhone, so I decided to whip up a quick web app. You can see the result at http://iphone-apps.net/ff. It only has minimal functionality – you can log in and view your friends, your items, or the public timeline.
iPhone
New iPhone Case
I was sent an Artwizz SeeJacket to review at MacMegasite. I’ll probably write the review this weekend. So far it looks pretty nice, except it’s fairly thick at the top which makes it difficult to reach the power switch.
Filing bug reports for iPhone SDK
Rogue Amoeba has filed bug reports for many of the iPhone SDK’s limitations, including:
- Allow applications to be installed at the user’s discretion, not Apple’s
- Allow applications to run in background on iPhone
- A MediaPicker API for accessing the iPod music files is needed
- Add option to allow iPhone applications to access entire filesystem
- Allow iPhone applications to access the host computer when docking
- Allow iPhone applications to access the docking port
I filed one myself requesting the ability to run in the background, which is a critical requirement for the product I plan to develop. Since it spends most of its time sleeping until it gets a timer event, it uses no CPU time at all until it wakes up every few hours to check in with a server and then goes back to sleep (Apple is concerned that background apps would waste CPU time and shorten the battery life).
iPhone SDK restrictions
I finally downloaded the iPhone SDK and I’ve been exploring it all day. However, the license has some serious restrictions which may affect our ability to develop our product for the iPhone. In particular:
3.3.1 Applications may only use Published APIs in the manner prescribed by Apple and must not use or call any unpublished or private APIs.
3.3.2 An Application may not itself install or launch other executable code by any means, including without limitation through the use of a plug-in architecture, calling other frameworks, other APIs or otherwise. No interpreted code may be downloaded and used in an Application except for code that is interpreted and run by Apple’s Published APIs and built-in interpreter(s).
It also appears that we won’t be able to develop an invisible background application without violating the license.
The Naysayers were wrong
Last week, Engadget and others were predicting that the iPhone SDK would be seriously limited and even suggested continuing to jailbreak the iPhone rather than use the SDK:
It was only a matter of time till the serious iPhone SDK rumors started flying, and with Apple’s Town Hall event next Thursday, it’s possible some of what we’re hearing is right on. If that’s the case, prepare to be letdown in a major way. According to iLounge, Apple will be severely restricting access on software for the iPhone and iPod touch, only allowing apps to be downloaded through iTunes, hand-picking which applications will make it to the store, and cutting off developer’s access to accessories which interface with the dock connector. Of course, this is just about what we expected from Steve, since he’s already lauded Nokia for its S60 verification scheme. Additionally, the report claims that the SDK we see next week will be an incomplete beta, with the full version rolling out in June to coincide with the WWDC. Thinking of any good reasons to keep jailbreaking your phone? Yeah, us too.
As I predicted, they were wrong. Apple’s SDK gives even more capabilities than the hacked unofficial toolchain. Today, Engadget called the new SDK a winner.
I’m still trying to download the SDK now. Apple’s servers are being hit very hard and were very slow for most for most of the day. To make matters worse, my DSL connection drops after less than 5 minutes due to the heavy storms we’re having now, so I’ve had to continuously resume the transfer. After reconnecting numerous times, the transfer failed at about 1.2 GB. As I write this, the restarted transfer is now at 622 MB with 41 minutes remaining.
Premature Speculation
Apple hasn’t made any official announcements about the iPhone SDK, yet the hand-wringing has already started. One rumor site says: “Apple will be severely restricting access on software for the iPhone and iPod touch, only allowing apps to be downloaded through iTunes, hand-picking which applications will make it to the store, and cutting off developer’s access to accessories which interface with the dock connector.”
Get a grip! Wait until Apple actually gives some details about the SDK before whining about it!
Manage a WordPress blog from your phone
The WPhone plugin adds a nice mobile admin interface for WordPress. A Rich version works on the iPhone or other phones that support AJAX, while the Lite version will work on any phone.
Why bother?
Someone came up with a jailbreak for iPhone 1.1.3. I don’t understand why they even bother, when Apple will be releasing an official SDK very soon, which will provide the same capabilities.
iPhone Update 1.1.1
I updated my iPhone to firmware 1.1.1. The upgrade took several minutes but was uneventful. I had previously restored it to the original firmware. Before that I had several third-party applications installed, although I never unlocked it since I don’t see any point in switching from AT&T. The only application I really miss is Apollo IM, although BeeJive is pretty good for AIM. I find that m.twitter.com is quite usable and has more features than Mobile Twitterific.