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One day we're going to look at these dark days of app approval processes, registration fees, application fees, fragmented platforms, crazy APIs and laugh. Or cr

One day we're going to look at these dark days of app approval processes, registration fees, application fees, fragmented platforms, crazy APIs and laugh. Or cry. What an awkward phase. I for one hope for a decent cross-platform browser API that lets me access mobile phone functions (database / GPS / camera) in js and just be done with all this drama.

prawn 17y ago
Roughly on the app store topic, an app store for TVs/set top boxes is going to be big one day in the near future. Could quickly take the Apple TV to a new level.
- protomyth 17y ago
  You can see the start of this with the XBox market place where you buy downloadable games. If Apple had a app store for a next generation AppleTV, it would be a very interesting platform.
  - prawn 17y ago
    If someone could build an alliance to get this into next-gen TVs without a standalone STB, they could rake it in. Weather and news apps, live TV guides with video previews, games, photo viewers, etc. Maybe a modular, generic box to include in the manufacturing process, with built-in wireless or ethernet plug, ability to update firmware via the net, and a central app store and paywall. Alternatively, just build it as a STB with a fairly killer feature out of the box, loss-lead on getting them out there, and control the app sales. The 360 is probably the closest thing to it, but it's large and expensive compared to what would gain greater market penetration.
    - protomyth 17y ago
      I think Yahoo with their widgets had the best chance, but Yahoo is acting in the spirit of their name.
  - Raphael 17y ago
    I really wish people would stop buying into closed platforms. Hook a computer up to a TV and be done with it.
    - GHFigs 17y ago
      People will stop buying into closed platforms if and when open platforms better meet their demands.
    - joezydeco 17y ago
      I'm tired of telling friends and family how to install and maintain systems like "a computer hooked up to a TV". There's a reason why there are more TiVos out there than MythTVs.
    - protomyth 17y ago
      Closed platforms, for all their sins, are generally easier for consumers. The process to buy an app in iTunes is dead simple. Media Center PC's (for most people) require having a friend with patience and skill.
hackoder 17y ago
I agree with you. Its sad that we have taken all this stuff as being "normal". From start ($99 fee) to finish (30% of sales), they are ripping developers off. They should be paying developers to build apps that are resulting in more and more sales of these phones.
- nomoresecrets 17y ago
  Pay developers to make apps? This doesn't happen for desktop computers/laptops, games consoles, etc., so why do you think it should be different for mobile phones?
- GHFigs 17y ago
  From start ($99 fee) to finish (30% of sales), they are ripping developers off. That's very subjective. It's apparent that thousands of developers feel that what they get in return is worth the price. If they don't like the price of goods and services, they can choose not to buy them. They are not on the whole being deprived of anything that is owed to them. It's accepted as "normal" because it's the way commerce works everywhere, and because these are very established practices in fields other than desktop software. They should be paying developers They are! Why do you think developers are choosing to develop for these platforms? Where do you think the other 70% goes?

prawn 17y ago

Roughly on the app store topic, an app store for TVs/set top boxes is going to be big one day in the near future. Could quickly take the Apple TV to a new level.

protomyth 17y ago
You can see the start of this with the XBox market place where you buy downloadable games. If Apple had a app store for a next generation AppleTV, it would be a very interesting platform.
- prawn 17y ago
  If someone could build an alliance to get this into next-gen TVs without a standalone STB, they could rake it in. Weather and news apps, live TV guides with video previews, games, photo viewers, etc. Maybe a modular, generic box to include in the manufacturing process, with built-in wireless or ethernet plug, ability to update firmware via the net, and a central app store and paywall. Alternatively, just build it as a STB with a fairly killer feature out of the box, loss-lead on getting them out there, and control the app sales. The 360 is probably the closest thing to it, but it's large and expensive compared to what would gain greater market penetration.
  - protomyth 17y ago
    I think Yahoo with their widgets had the best chance, but Yahoo is acting in the spirit of their name.
- Raphael 17y ago
  I really wish people would stop buying into closed platforms. Hook a computer up to a TV and be done with it.
  - GHFigs 17y ago
    People will stop buying into closed platforms if and when open platforms better meet their demands.
  - joezydeco 17y ago
    I'm tired of telling friends and family how to install and maintain systems like "a computer hooked up to a TV". There's a reason why there are more TiVos out there than MythTVs.
  - protomyth 17y ago
    Closed platforms, for all their sins, are generally easier for consumers. The process to buy an app in iTunes is dead simple. Media Center PC's (for most people) require having a friend with patience and skill.

hackoder 17y ago

I agree with you. Its sad that we have taken all this stuff as being "normal". From start ($99 fee) to finish (30% of sales), they are ripping developers off. They should be paying developers to build apps that are resulting in more and more sales of these phones.

nomoresecrets 17y ago
Pay developers to make apps? This doesn't happen for desktop computers/laptops, games consoles, etc., so why do you think it should be different for mobile phones?
GHFigs 17y ago
From start ($99 fee) to finish (30% of sales), they are ripping developers off. That's very subjective. It's apparent that thousands of developers feel that what they get in return is worth the price. If they don't like the price of goods and services, they can choose not to buy them. They are not on the whole being deprived of anything that is owed to them. It's accepted as "normal" because it's the way commerce works everywhere, and because these are very established practices in fields other than desktop software. They should be paying developers They are! Why do you think developers are choosing to develop for these platforms? Where do you think the other 70% goes?