Download the new Switched app for your iPhone

Skip to Content

Autoblog's live coverage of the 2010 Detroit Auto Show
AOL Tech

Filed under: Macworld, Analysis / Opinion, iPhone

iPhone Will Not Allow User Installable Applications

While I was back taking pictures of the iPhone for a second time, I got chatting with one of the security/information attendants guarding the device from our grubby little fingers. The impression I got from the information coming out of the keynote was that the device would feature a full install of Mac OS X, and would run any and all desktop-based applications, as indicated by Apple asserting that the device "Runs OS X." You can imagine my surprise when while talking to the booth attendant I was informed that users will not actually be able to install any applications. This is a point of utter confusion with me. Why would Apple refer to the software running on the device as "OS X," when in reality, it will be running the long rumored stripped-down version of the operating system.

The inability for users to install additional applications of their choosing certainly makes me think again about my intentions to purchase the device. While the iPhone is certainly revolutionary and exciting, why should I buy it if I won't be able to install additional applications such as a terminal/IRC client or Skype, as I would do with competing devices such as the Palm Treo.

It has been suggested by some that the inclusion of Widgets in the device would allow this kind of expandability, but it doesn't make much sense to me to try and fit full-fledged applications into something designed to hold a few lines of JavaScript.
Click here to read all TUAW’s iPhone coverageClick here to read all TUAW’s Macworld coverage
jobs & resumes
iPhone / Android Developer

Bump Technologies, Inc. - Mountain View, CA (2 weeks ago)

See More Relevant Jobs ›

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

Tip of the Day

Want to drag a file to another folder and copy it instead of moving it? Press the Option key when you drag that file and it'll be duplicated rather than moved entirely.

Follow us on Twitter!

TUAW [Cafepress] 

Featured Galleries

DNC Macs
Macworld 2008 Keynote
Macworld 2008 Build-up
Google Earth for iPhone
Podcaster
Storyist 2.0
AT&T Navigator Road Test
Bento for iPhone 1.0
Scrabble for iPhone
Tom Bihn Checkpoint Flyer Briefcase
Apple Vanity Plates
Apple booth Macworld 07
WorldVoice Radio
Quickoffice for iPhone 1.1.1
Daylite 3.9 Review
DiscPainter
Mariner Calc for iPhone
2009CupertinoBus
Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D
MLB.com At Bat 2009
Macworld Expo 2007 show floor

 

Our Writers

Victor Agreda, Jr.

Programming Manager, AOL Tech

RSS Feed

View more Writers

More Apple Analysis

AOL Radio TUAW on Stitcher