Apple loosens reins, allows 3rd party iOS dev tools with caveat

Here's a surprise we didn't expect this morning -- or ever, for that matter -- Apple has changed its stance on iOS app development, now allowing all tools "...as long as the resulting apps do not download any code." Theoretically, this would include Adobe Flash CS5 but certainly includes tools like Unity. [Note that while the Flash CS5 authoring environment may be kosher, this rule still excludes the Flash browser plugin due to the no-downloaded-code clause. –Ed.]

In addition, Apple has published the App Store Review Guidelines for the very first time. We'll be anxious to hear what developers have to say after giving those guidelines a good read.

You'll remember a recent change in Apple's SDK language that prohibited iOS apps to be written with anything other than Apple-approved tools, including Flash. This led to a viciously bitter spat between Adobe and Apple (though it really seemed to be between Jobs and Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen) with both sides setting up their tents and firing barbs. To say that this morning's change is dramatic is an understatement.

Great, now I have to be on the lookout for 3 other horsemen for the rest of the day.

[Via Engadget]