iphone “to break or not to break” applications
Written by Justin G on March 21, 2008 – 12:31 pm - 
A lot of people from the get go thought the iphone was a piece of junk, while others thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. Everyone has their opinions about iphone vs Nokia just like Mac vs. PC. So moving on then…
Since Mr. Steve Jobs had announced that there would be an SDK (software development kit) for the iphone, a lot of people have really been excited. Now that over 100,000 people have downloaded the developers kit whats next?
How many people will really switch over from having an unlocked iphone that can run tons of free applications to go legit with Apple and pay a fee for every application? The reason I even ask that is because the current developers kit doesn’t allow for 3rd party music applications. Isn’t music what people would likely use their iphone most for? Or would it be games?
It seems that Apple has decided to do things this way so sales on itunes are not hurt, but there will be an effect with upcoming players like Amazon music as well as Emusic which have compatible DRM free music for the iphone. Will Apple lose some ground with their Itunes music downloads?
One thing is for sure, and that is that Apple will continue governing and restricting their own products and applications like they have been for a while. I think the mentality of Apple which seems to be the ‘we control the product even after you buy it’ for all consumers is getting a bit old. The thing is, that the larger apple gets, and the more popularity that grows for Apple products, the hacking, cracking and unlocking will only continue to grow with it.
Will people be willing to blow their money on new applications approved by Apple, and made by the developer that had to pay $99 to publish that application. Thats right, you have to pay 1 dollar short of 100 to even be able to deploy your application if your a developer, and then if you are a consumer you can buy those applications straight off your iphone for a price, which Apple and the developer split for profit. This whole thing with new applications for the iphone has dropped from a hot boil to a mild simmer, and until Apple comes up with a better plan I’m going to have to say that the majority of people are going to go the free route.
Here below is just a little rundown of some of the FREE unlocked iphone applications that actually have some value. I’m not personally promoting them, but the fact is that they exist and Apple can’t stop it.
SSH For iphone – How to setup and install SSH for iphone.
MobileTerminal-vt100 – A Terminal emulator for the iPhone.
MobileTextEdit – Allows you to edit .txt files within mobilefinder.
Izoho – Full office suite to create edit and more.
Ruby on iphone – An iPhone Ruby interpretor which includes supporting libraries.
Stumbler Wifi Networks Locator – Lets you find wireless networks in your area.
BSD Subsystem – Unix Tools for the iphone.
Iphone Python – An iPhone Python interpretor including libraries.
Mobile Scrobbler – Lets you play music from Last.fm
NES Emulator – Play old school Nintendo games.
Ishare – Works with a Sendspace account to upload and download files.
Swapmusiclibrary – Allows you to sync with another PC without erasing.
Genesis4iphone – Lets you play Sonic and other Sega games.
Navizon GPS – GPS for the iphone.
TouchPadPro – Control your PC or Mac with Your iphone.
RocketShotz – Adds Icons So you never have to Type a Favorite URL to Browse.
Ispit – Acts as an http Server that runs from your iphone.
Funiculus – Guitar Tuner for iphone.
MobileChat – Instant messenger with all the extras.
Ifob – Social Networking application worth using.
iPhlickr – Easy way to browse Flickr Pics.
Expense View – Keep track of finances.
iPhoneDigg – For all the fanatical Diggers.
iPhoneTravel - Easy way to book flights and car rentals.
goMovies – Easy view of movie shows and times.
Google Reader – Clean and easy to use RSS for the iphone.
Iactu – Displays headlines from multiple newspapers.
Tags: apple, applications, iphone
Posted in Around the Web | 8 Comments »
By narayan on Mar 22, 2008 | Reply
I remembered my Sony VIVIO and it’s finger print security. Do you believe, if you are running Sony VIVIO and suddenly your battery backup finished it will go shut down. Ok, it’s not a problem but major thing is, when you will recharge your battery, and power on your system, it will not ask you for finger print again.. a loop whole..
By Josh Loe on Mar 22, 2008 | Reply
I use my phone to talk on…
By Sceptic on Mar 22, 2008 | Reply
They need to have a VNC app for the iphone, then I could control my music box from my cellphone while sitting on the patio
of course id have to get an iphone first…
By Josh Loe on Mar 23, 2008 | Reply
Not worth it, just get a zune. It syncs up to a wifi network and updates it self.
werd
By Martin Leclair on Mar 24, 2008 | Reply
Josh Loe : I use my phone to talk on…
I used to say that … before I got a iPhone.
By Timothy Dick on Mar 25, 2008 | Reply
I’m with Josh. At first, I used to play with my iPhone a lot…even played the unlocking game, etc. After a while, the novelty as a toy wore off.
Now, I don’t have any third-party apps and mainly just use it as a great phone, to check email, and check traffic online. That’s really it.
I used to be someone who bought the latest and greatest phone every month or so just because I could. Then I’d drop it for the next one. The iPhone is the first phone that’s been able to hold attention for a while. I’ve had it since release and wouldn’t think about getting another phone.
While the novelty wore off for me in terms of playing, what didn’t is just the overall great phone experience. It’s very intuitive and you just don’t have to think about it much.
So I know the software licensing system is causing a big uproar for a lot of people, but I don’t know that I really want any software. I just think it’s a great phone.
Timothy Dick
VOIPo.com
By Rockoids on Mar 26, 2008 | Reply
You can bet your bottom dollar that the iPhone is going to get bigger than ever in June, when the version 2.0 update comes out, and enterprise support is added. Then more and more businesses will buy them.
RIM has a lot to fear.
Rock On,
Rockoids
By Kayol on Mar 28, 2008 | Reply
I’m in Canada no iphone here yet, maybe Rogers Cable will be the Exclusive Canadian Carrier for the iphone. Seems Europe gets a deal before the USA’s neighbor to the north, no fair.