There’s the obvious (the explosive growth of social networks such as Twitter and Facebook) to the stories that didn’t happen (Microsoft Corp.’s proposed US$44-billion takeover of Yahoo Inc.) to the fascinating but ultimately underwhelming product releases (Google’s Chrome browser).

I am no Apple fan boy even though I’ve written multiple blog posts on the company this past year. Too often, the company gets a free ride from media and users.

But in the case of the App Store, its impact cannot be denied despite the fact it was announced six short months ago. Currently there are more than 140 new apps being released every day, over 9,000 available for download, and a ratio of paid to free apps of 7:2. The average price is roughly US$4.15.

It has helped reinforce and drive the success of the iPhone, which was already one of the world’s fastest-growing mobile devices. Its success comes despite the fact most of the applications offered to date range from the inane (the iPhone Fart apps) to the only somewhat useful (the Flashlight).

More importantly, Apple has single-handedly managed to pry open the application download process from the hands of the wireless carriers. No longer must users take what is given to them the applications optimized from by carriers.

Its immediate success has also inspired competitors, such as Research In Motion and and Google with its Android Market, to create application development stores as well. Others application development stores are likely to be announced in 2009 (Microsoft SkyMarket anyone?)

Oddly, the App Store was a secondary item of note at best in June when Apple announced the store at its annual worldwide developer conference. Now it’s seen as the driver of what is a fast-growing mobile development platform.

This all spells good news for consumers, developers and yes, even the carriers for years to come as interest in the mobile platform is on the rise.

[tags] iPhone, Apple, mobile application development [/tags]

Most if not all of the news to be announced over the next four days seems to have already been spilled onto the web in the form of rumours. The noise leading up to any Apple event is typically deafening.

The most widely-dispersed and discussed rumor leading up to Apple’s annual developer love-in involves, not surprisingly, the iPhone. That is to say a 3G version of the iPhone will most likely be announced when Steve Jobs takes the stage later today. It’ll be old news for anyone that has punched Apple into a Google News search field over the past three months.

Apple has signed a number of deals with carriers in countries overseas where 3G networks have been the norm for some time, hence the need for a 3G iPhone.

There is much more debate about features that may or may not be included in next-generation iPhones. The rumours run the gamut – everything from GPS functionality, a QWERTY keyboard, a wider screen, and video chat capabilities are frequently-discussed possibilities.

One other product that will surely be announced later this week is something called the Mac Fusion, according to The Unofficial Apple Weblob (TUAW). The blog posted three photos of the new device, which is apparently an updated Mac Mini. Apple hasn’t released an updated Mac Mini for almost a year, which is almost a lifetime in Steve Jobs years. The new Mac Mini, if TUAW is correct, will be flatter and contains a dual-core processor from Intel like its Macbook and iMac siblings.

It’s also supposed to make the lives of application developers easier. The ad copy, obtained by TUAW, reads like something created by Apple marketing types.

“Building your applications for the Mac has never been easier. Mac Fusion was designed exclusively for new developers wishing to port their existing programs to the Mac without breaking the bank. Mac Fusion allows you to explore the power and stability of Max OS X while keeping the ability to run alternate operating systems such as Windows or Linux, via Boot Camp.”
The iTunes App Store, a clearing house for iPhone application development, will likely go live this week. The software developer kit has been available for download for months which has led presumably to the creation of applications for the popular iPhone. Expect Steve Jobs to show off some of the new apps and the App Store at some point this week.

Commentary will be added once the Apple parade starts early this afternoon (1PM EST).

There is relief coming in the way of useful applications for the fast-growing device, something that has been sorely lacking across all mobile platforms.

Apple’s App Store/mobile application development strategy and kit, announced yesterday, means useful applications will probably be available in the second half of this year. The store, which is now in beta mode, will be ready to go in June.

By now, many of you probably know the details, but here are the highlights for the sake of review:

• developers will get 70% of the revenue from any application sold; no further charges for hosting or credit-card processing for example.
• developers must distribute applications through the iTunes store;
• no distribution of applications to the enterprise planned for the moment;
• developers must register with Apple but the SDK is free; registered developers get electronic certificates

Jobs called this “the best deal going to distribute applications in the mobile space.”

Don’t know about that but it’s a big step forward for the wireless application development industry. This may seem like a counterintuitive statement given that Apple is trying to build another walled garden in which it controls the applications people can download onto their iPhones.

I’ve never been a fan of closed systems but the other walled gardens – you know the ones built by the national wireless service providers in Canada and the United States – haven’t worked. Make no mistake about it – this is Apple’s attempt to co-opt the application selection process from the carriers.

“We define the software on the phone, we run the developer program, we’re distributing the apps,” said Jobs yesterday at the event where he claimed Apple’s relationship with the carriers is great. “This is our program, and we’re running it.”

Why will mobile application developers participate? After all, the BlackBerry, Palm and Windows Mobile camps allow for open application development. So how can Jobs and co. go against the grain you ask?

Well, Apple can because it’s Apple. The company likes to control all parts of the product development process – it has worked in past. One need only look the iPod for proof. Furthermore, wanna-be app dev stars will have instant access to 10+ million iPhone users by the end of the year (if Apple blesses the developer’s creation of course).

The results can’t be any worse than the crap that’s already available for the carrier-controlled decks – the applications available for wireless phones in North America stink for the most part.

To foster development, Apple should allow the developer to set their own prices for applications; something that looks like it’s in the cards. Apple should submerge its desire to control absolutely all facets of development and distribution; better applications will be created and developers will be able to sell more of their wares.

So far so good. With any luck, application developers will port their creations to all types of devices.

(Yes – this is Apple week at kevinrestivo.com it seems.)

Apple said the SDK will allow the iPhone to sync up with Microsoft Exchange so users can do push wireless e-mail and access their calendars remotely (yawn).

In addition, the iPhone can now work on virtual private networks – it also has offers automated configuration options, with remote data wiping an option too just in case the phone is lost or stolen.

These are all ‘me too’ smartphone features as far as I can tell – the BlackBerry and Microsoft-powered smartphones have similar options – and were widely anticipated to be enhancements announced by Apple today.

Nonetheless, enterprise IT managers won’t be able to slam their doors on employees who request that they be able to use the iPhone on a corporate network. That in and of itself is a net positive for Apple as it will allow the company to add corporate users and ultimately build on the 28% share (? is that right?) Apple claims to have of the U.S. smartphone market.