Whenever new technology reportedly meets the iTunes store, it's prudent to check Apple's online storebag protocol to see what's what. Today, I downloaded the latest storeBag.xml from Apple's public iTunes server. What I found was this:
There appears to be a new service, labeled "p2-panda" that offers access to the same functionality that Cory reported on last night. Specifically, the panda calls include StoreFront listings, Genres, Top Fifty listings, and Updates. If nothing else, this independently confirms functionality seen from those screen shots.
At this time none of the calls appeared to function--whether from a Mac or from an iPhone--but I do not have access to the AppStore software itself, only to the protocols and web browsers. I'll try testing periodically in case the services pop back online.
Update: p2 likely refers to Purple 2, the iPhone code name. (Thanks Ryan)
Update 2: iPhone developer asap18 reports that the AppStore allows users to search for iTunes music as well as applications. This leads him to believe that AppStore extends the core iTMS functionality on the iPhone.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-23-2008 @ 7:12PM
Henri Watson said...
How can we test the services?
I just get:
Your request produced an error.
[newNullResponse]
If i use a webrowser
Reply
3-23-2008 @ 7:14PM
DaveP said...
Again, no information here - look at the iPhone SDK event video from March 6. Everything you hint at and more is already there.
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3-23-2008 @ 7:59PM
Anon said...
Again, I have the official firmware. This stuff is real.
Erica, email me if you want my jpgs.
Reply
3-23-2008 @ 8:00PM
Erica Sadun said...
Sorry--can't reply without a working email! :( Feel free to use our tip line with a real email addy
Reply
3-23-2008 @ 8:57PM
Seth A said...
I much rather have Apple turn the App Store and iTunes into a simple "Store" one App on the iPhone for everything, Search function searches everything, ect. Oh, I would like to see Music BROWSING over Edge, Downloading over only WiFi is fine, maybe adding Video's too. Either way, it surprised me that Apple didn't do one app, either way, can't wait!
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3-23-2008 @ 9:52PM
franky said...
*yawns*
Another overated blogger. everyone knows we won't be able to acces the AppStore before Apple wants us. Get over it and start blogging interesting stuff.
Reply
3-23-2008 @ 10:50PM
waiownsyou said...
Man, what the hell are you guys talking about?
Reply
3-24-2008 @ 7:37PM
Alan Vazquez said...
Hello everybody. I am very familliar with the iPhone and iPod touch's applications and how they work. Erica, if I may call you that, I would like to show you and tell you about a discovery that I made about the iTunes store, I was going to formally announce it on limitededitioniphone.com, but I haven't gotten around to it. Please e-mail me back at
iphone_hacker@mac.com
I would really appreciate it if I could finally have the opportunity to talk to you, a very well known and very respected iPhone developer/hacker, etc. So please, I would like to tell you of my findings.
Reply