A changed clause in Apple's iOS 4.0 SDK agreement has left some developers fuming, with fears that it effectively outlaws Adobe's forthcoming Flash to iPhone compiler.
Developers use programs like the Flash to iPhone compiler to save time, but a wording change could potentially see the practice penalised by Apple.
This would mean that developers cannot get their apps through the Apple vetting and onto the Apple App Store.
Clause and effect
The new clause 3.3.1 of the iPhone Developer Program License Agreement now includes the following:
"Applications must be originally written in Objective-C, C, C++, or JavaScript as executed by the iPhone OS WebKit engine, and only code written in C, C++, and Objective-C may compile and directly link against the Documented APIs (e.g., Applications that link to Documented APIs through an intermediary translation or compatibility layer or tool are prohibited)."
A post by Daring Fireball's John Gruber explains the problem, stating: "My reading of this new language is that cross-compilers, such as the Flash-to-iPhone compiler in Adobe's upcoming Flash Professional CS5 release, are prohibited.
"…the language in the agreement doesn't leave much wiggle room for Flash CS5. It could hardly be more clear if they singled out Flash CS5 by name."
Of course, the might of the Apple App Store means that developer disquiet will make very little difference, but it does serve as a reminder that Apple's walled garden is not crumbling.
Via Daring Fireball
Your comments (6) Click to add a new comment
egrovesystems
April 13th 2010
6. Great experience to read this post. Features are simply superb
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rational
April 11th 2010
5. All technologies are proprietary and all are handcuffs. Choose your handcuffs and be happy ;)
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darren_mccoy
April 10th 2010
4. Except Apple are supporting open standards!
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armrek
April 9th 2010
3. Forget about the iHandcuffs join the Android wave ;-)
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marybranscombe
April 9th 2010
2. optimaximal - they don't need to; Flash is coming to Android so developers don't need to cross compile. they could switch to compiling for Windows Phone 7 - that won't have Flash at launch but it won't have the user base of the iPhone at launch either.
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optimaximal
April 9th 2010
1. Adobe could just rework the program into a 'Flash-to-Android' release and give the Android Marketplace a huge boost.
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