Apple iPhone OS 4.0 bans Adobe software from the party

Posted on 9 Apr 2010 at 16:21

Apple has geared up its attack against Adobe with an update to the terms and conditions of its developer program that specifically states all apps must be written in native code, prohibiting all software created "using an intermediary translation or compatibility layer or tool".

The upshot is that developers of apps will not be able to use third-party tools, such as Adobe's iPhone compiler software. It's also knocks out the potential of using Adobe Flash CS5, which can recompile Flash apps for use on the iPhone.

This recent attack comes after Apple branded Flash as buggy. The company has refused to allow Flash to run on its iPhone or iPad mobile devices, rendering large chunks of the internet unusable.

As to the reason behind the change, only Apple knows. It has been speculated that Apple's keen to protect its market share and wants to make it as difficult as possible for developers to create apps that can easily be ported between different platforms.

The question that has to be answered for us is, when will Apple face an anti-trust investigation? It constantly updates iTunes to prevent third-party applications and devices from working with it, and has to authorise any application that appears on the iPhone and iPad. It also refuses to allow Mac OSX to be sold and installed independently on any hardware. It's time that governments took a stand against this and made sure that Apple competes fairly.

Author: David Ludlow

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User comments

Azzurro

The government doesn't really give a damn! If it's not taxable they won't worry too much. Unless of course something big happens that has consumers up in arms thereby forcing a statement from the government.

By Mauro_C on 12 Apr 2010