Posts tagged Development
Google’s Licensing system defeated?
Aug 23rd
Since Google’s announcement of a new app protection system last month, I’ve heard numerous complaints about the general approach of the protection: it requires a data connection, which isn’t always available for everyone. And while “Justin Case” of Android Police thinks Google’s LVL is the best copy protection for Android apps to date, he has found flaws – serious flaws that render the protection useless for those with a bit of time, know-how, and willingness to steal. Head on over to Android Police for the technical details on this hack, or just watch the video below to get the gist.
The author mentions that it would be possible to automatically patch and distribute pirated apps via scripts. Sounds like something Google might want to take a look at.
Via Android Police
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Android App Development is “a Viable Revenue Stream”
Aug 23rd
Arron La, developer of Advanced Task Manager, recently posted information about that app’s revenue in an effort “to highlight how Android is a viable revenue stream after reading countless stories that it is not.”
La published the paid version of the app in February, 2009, followed by an ad-supported version in November of that year. In about a year and a half, the app has generated a total of about $80,000 in revenue for La, with about $50,000 in purchases (at $0.99 each, after Google’s 30% cut) and about $30,000 in ad revenue from the free version. This July alone, he saw more than $10,000 come his way, with more than half coming from ad revenue on the free version.
While Advanced Task Manager has benefitted from appearing on the Market’s lists of featured apps, it also occupies a space with several competitors. La cites issues with the Market and Google Checkout as holding his (and others’) apps from more revenue:
“Discovering applications is a problem right now. With these additional lists, users can click through them to find other high quality apps – unlike the ‘Top Paid’ list right now which is very arbitrary and is not an indication of the true top applications in Android.
“Google Checkout is also a big problem since it doesn’t accept payments in a number of countries causing Android to only support around 13 countries compared to 90 on the iPhone. This is inexcusable. The reporting feature on Google Checkout is also horrible. It was quite painful to generate tax reports.
“With that said, Google is doing a number of things to improve the situation. Paypal as a payment option will be extremely helpful. A website to browse Android applications and to send it to phones for installation will most likely raise applications discoverability and revenue significantly.”
He also acknowledges that improvements in the Android OS have removed much of the need for his app, but notes an overhauled new version is in the works that will add significant new features, such as backup capabilities and more app management tools.
NOTE: Android App Development is “a Viable Revenue Stream” originally appeared on AndroidGuys.
Director of App Store for Apple also made fart and wiz apps
Aug 18th
Wired did some poking around and discovered Phillip Shoemaker, Apple’s director of App Store — the man purportedly in charge of App Store approval and rejection — was or is the developer of fart and urination apps.
Shoemaker apparently had or has a company named Gray Noodle, whose titles include Animal Farts and iWiz. Although the social networking profiles and posts that led Wired to the discovery have subsequently been removed, they’ve retained archive copies. An Apple spokeswoman gave them the following comment:
“Phillip’s apps were written, submitted and approved before he became an Apple employee,” an Apple spokeswoman said in a statement. “His experience and perspective as a developer is one of the valuable things he brings to Apple’s developer relations team. Apple’s policy allows for employees to have apps on the App Store if they’re developed and published prior to their start at Apple.”
Other former Apple employees confirmed that special, executive level permission was required in order for an Apple employee to publish on the App Store, though if the apps predated Apple employment permission for them to remain on the App Store might be easier to obtain.
So is it reassuring for developers to have someone with experience getting controversial apps approved inside the App Store? Does it mean if you were rejected, you didn’t even meet the Animal Farts sniff test?
[Wired, thanks Luke!]
Director of App Store for Apple also made fart and wiz apps is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.
TiPb – The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog
Regarding Apple including 3rd party app screens in 1st party app patent filings
Aug 6th
Apple has begun filing patent applications for 1st party (i.e. Apple produced) iOS apps that include screen drawings of well known 3rd party (i.e. independently produced by developers for the App Store) apps.
Is Apple trying to steal the hard work and shatter the good will of App Store developers? Is Apple merely showing how App Store apps could hook into future Apple apps/hubs? Is it something in between?
Let’s take a look after the break…
[Venomous Porridge, Thanks Dev for the tip!]
Venomous Porridge originally posted the image up to and this commentary:
one of the diagrams in Apple’s patent application for a travel app is a direct copy, down to the text and the positions of the icons, of an existing third-party app that’s been available on the App Store for years.
I can’t see how this is even close to OK.
The image is chilling for developers, especially since it doesn’t appear like Apple contacted them to let them know they were using it, and doesn’t appear to really explain the context of the usage in the application. That Apple would use an exact rendering of an existing app, when they could easily make their own, far more defensible artwork, is curious. That they show it clearly labeled as “Where To?” is more than curious.
FutureTap, the makers of Where To? said they did not have any deals in place with Apple for the patent and posted the following:
We’re faced with a situation where we’ve to fear that our primary business partner is trying to “steal” our idea and design. So how to deal with that? — As some of you know, we’ve always been more than grateful for the platform Apple created. And, in fact, still are. However, we can’t ignore it if the #1 recognition value of our (currently) only app potentially is under fire.
This is where a lot of coverage has ended to date. A few excellent comments have kept it moving forward, however. Macro Arment of Tumblr and Instapaper added:
Is it possible that Where To is being intentionally and innocently used as an example of a related app as an inconsequential portion of the much larger and more complex patented concept that wouldn’t interfere with it?
Brian Ford adds:
The other clue that this isn’t about an underhanded attempt to patent the Where To app is that various pictures showing several completely unrelated app designs are all used to describe this same patent. None of the other drawings are consistent.
Venomous Porridge subsequently updated with a second post
I think it’s more likely that the people involved in drawing up this patent simply didn’t think about the message it would send to developers. I’m sure it’s not Apple’s practice (or intention) to plunder the App Store submissions bin for new things to patent. But there remains a conflict of interest in Apple acting as the sole steward of the iOS software universe while also filing patents in areas that have long been staked out by third-party developers. If those developers suddenly get cold feet toward submitting innovative apps for fear of their ideas suddenly appearing in Apple’s patent filings, it will be hard to blame them.
Which is pretty much how this reads. Apple is the giant in their forest and sometimes intentionally and sometimes unintentionally they’ll step on the far, far smaller villagers who inhabit it. If enough villagers pick up torches and pitchforks and make enough noise, the Apple giant might pause, shrug, say “my bad” and be try to be more careful for a while, but it will always be the giant in their own forest.
It would behoove Apple none the less, especially since developer relations have been tense over the years, to try and create a preemptive strategy in terms of reaching out and assuaging developer fears. If they’re going to include Where To? or other app screens in their patents, create a process where that’s noted in draft and the developer is contacted and given context.
Ultimately it doesn’t look like Apple is being evil here, just inconsiderate.
Regarding Apple including 3rd party app screens in 1st party app patent filings is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.
TiPb – The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog
Apple releases iOS 4.1 beta 3 for developers
Aug 3rd
You know the drill, if you’re a developer and you want the latest, greatest iOS 4.1 beta 3 for your iPhone or iPod touch, head on over to Apple and get it.
No word yet on what, if any new features it might contain but we’re still guessing we won’t see anything too spectacular until Steve Jobs takes the stage for the annual iPod and iTunes event in September, and shows off iPod touch G4 and the final iOS 4 version.
But if you find anything, let us know in comments.
Apple releases iOS 4.1 beta 3 for developers is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.
TiPb – The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog
Why Apple’s Remote App hasn’t been updated for iPad, iPhone 4, or iOS 4
Aug 3rd
Steve Jobs say Apple is the largest start-up in the world, and Posterous CEO Sachin Agarwal not only experienced it, but says that’s why things like Apple’s own Remote App for iPhone haven’t been updated for iPad, iPhone 4, or iOS 4:
Yes, the Remote app is due for an update. But here’s why it hasn’t been updated: the person who wrote it is busy working on other things. Yes, the person, not the team. (He’s a good friend of mine)
Apple doesn’t build large teams to work on every product they make. Instead, they hire very few, but very intelligent people who can work on different projects and move around as needed.
Argawal says it isn’t uncommon for members of one team to find themselves moved over to something else entirely when ship dates need to be met. That’s true for iOS, Mac OS, Pro Apps, and every part of Apple, and something he says is in stark contrast to Microsoft:
Maybe that’s the problem at Microsoft: they think they can solve problems by throwing lots of people at them. They put together large teams to build products. And large teams require managers. The last thing we need in software development are more product managers.
Why Apple’s Remote App hasn’t been updated for iPad, iPhone 4, or iOS 4 is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.
TiPb – The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog
Why Apple’s Remote App hasn’t been updated for iPad, iPhone 4, or iOS 4
Aug 3rd
Steve Jobs says Apple is the largest start-up in the world, and Posterous CEO Sachin Agarwal not only experienced it, but says that’s why things like Apple’s own Remote App for iPhone haven’t been updated for iPad, iPhone 4, or iOS 4:
Yes, the Remote app is due for an update. But here’s why it hasn’t been updated: the person who wrote it is busy working on other things. Yes, the person, not the team. (He’s a good friend of mine)
Apple doesn’t build large teams to work on every product they make. Instead, they hire very few, but very intelligent people who can work on different projects and move around as needed.
Argawal says it isn’t uncommon for members of one team to find themselves moved over to something else entirely when ship dates need to be met. That’s true for iOS, Mac OS, Pro Apps, and every part of Apple, and something he says is in stark contrast to Microsoft:
Maybe that’s the problem at Microsoft: they think they can solve problems by throwing lots of people at them. They put together large teams to build products. And large teams require managers. The last thing we need in software development are more product managers.
Why Apple’s Remote App hasn’t been updated for iPad, iPhone 4, or iOS 4 is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.
TiPb – The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog
