Comments on: The Rise of the “VendorPhone”

By: olly

olly — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 13:31:29 +0000

"If you're such an avid user and fan of Linux/OS X how the heck would you be able to stand a watered down version of an already lackluster OS such as Windows Mobile?"

Because even for how much it sucks it's still a very open platform from a development standpoint. I'm trying to point out with this article one simple thing: Symbian Signed, which has been largely ignored by the Symbian community as a whole, is no different from a developer (and subsequently end user) standpoint then Dangers Hiptop OS, Verizon locking down Bluetooth on phones, Sprint not allowing unlocked phones on their network, or the RIAA throwing a fit over percieved copyright violations. It's all different sides to the same set of dice. From a consumer standpoint, I simply choose to take my business elsewhere... and from a business standpoint, it's high time that these companies start to realize that yes, in fact, businesses can thrive and still be open, and not controlling.

Hey, if Nokia wants to use Symbian Signed as a way to push their own favored apps, and play favorite with big developers, that's fine. It's their company, their phone, and if they think that's the best way to make money more power to them, that's their choice.

But they do need to understand that there are consequences to your business decisions, and one of those is that many of us will choose to go for devices/platforms that offer more freedom.

-olly

By: olly

olly — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 13:31:00 +0000

“If you're such an avid user and fan of Linux/OS X how the heck would you be able to stand a watered down version of an already lackluster OS such as Windows Mobile?”Because even for how much it sucks it's still a very open platform from a development standpoint. I'm trying to point out with this article one simple thing: Symbian Signed, which has been largely ignored by the Symbian community as a whole, is no different from a developer (and subsequently end user) standpoint then Dangers Hiptop OS, Verizon locking down Bluetooth on phones, Sprint not allowing unlocked phones on their network, or the RIAA throwing a fit over percieved copyright violations. It's all different sides to the same set of dice. From a consumer standpoint, I simply choose to take my business elsewhere… and from a business standpoint, it's high time that these companies start to realize that yes, in fact, businesses can thrive and still be open, and not controlling.Hey, if Nokia wants to use Symbian Signed as a way to push their own favored apps, and play favorite with big developers, that's fine. It's their company, their phone, and if they think that's the best way to make money more power to them, that's their choice.But they do need to understand that there are consequences to your business decisions, and one of those is that many of us will choose to go for devices/platforms that offer more freedom.-olly

By: Vaibhav Sharma

Vaibhav Sharma — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 15:36:01 +0000

This is very sad indeed. It actually pains me to see this happening.
Just when i was thinking to myself that the freeware scene is actually producing some awesome apps like wwigo, screenshot, ybrowser, symella, systorrent, fring & so on.. Something of this sort happens and all our hopes are crushed.
Nokia, the symbian signed authorities etc please do take heed from Antony’s unfortunate announcement. God knows how demoralising it would be for prospective developers.
While i appreciate the need for security in the OS, we can’t get so tied down that we hardly have anything to install! 3rd party applications are what set symbian apart, you kill them and you kill the OS.
If this state of affairs continues, i’ll start looking and recommending to people other smartphones. As much as i love the OS, if thats the only way out, then so be it!

By: Vaibhav Sharma

Vaibhav Sharma — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 15:36:00 +0000

By: olly

olly — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 14:52:33 +0000

“If you’re such an avid user and fan of Linux/OS X how the heck would you be able to stand a watered down version of an already lackluster OS such as Windows Mobile?”

Because even for how much it sucks it’s still a very open platform from a development standpoint. I’m trying to point out with this article one simple thing: Symbian Signed, which has been largely ignored by the Symbian community as a whole, is no different from a developer (and subsequently end user) standpoint then Dangers Hiptop OS, Verizon locking down Bluetooth on phones, Sprint not allowing unlocked phones on their network, or the RIAA throwing a fit over percieved copyright violations. It’s all different sides to the same set of dice. From a consumer standpoint, I simply choose to take my business elsewhere… and from a business standpoint, it’s high time that these companies start to realize that yes, in fact, businesses can thrive and still be open, and not controlling.

Hey, if Nokia wants to use Symbian Signed as a way to push their own favored apps, and play favorite with big developers, that’s fine. It’s their company, their phone, and if they think that’s the best way to make money more power to them, that’s their choice.

But they do need to understand that there are consequences to your business decisions, and one of those is that many of us will choose to go for devices/platforms that offer more freedom.

-olly

By: diego

diego — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 00:11:51 +0000

Just “Amen”. That’s all

By: diego

diego — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 00:11:00 +0000

Just “Amen”. That’s all

By: Serko

Serko — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 23:28:07 +0000

If you’re such an avid user and fan of Linux/OS X how the heck would you be able to stand a watered down version of an already lackluster OS such as Windows Mobile?

Nokia and Apple are both ultimately in it for the money, let’s just hope iPhone 3rd Party Apps end up like the current OS X Freeware/Shareware scene (and soon!)

Look for Apple to announce some type of revision to is Web 2.0 3rd Party App workaround by next Macworld that should open the doors to true 3rd party Apps by more

established developers first (think Adobe or Electronic Arts) followed by the smaller core developer community (think Apps found on Handango.) It seems like Steve Jobs

wants to limit the competition’s chances of growth in the U.S. as much as possible. Ultimately if Apple ends up making more room for true 3rd Party Apps that will only

add to their revenue stream in the long run (unless no one buys an official copy of Photoshop for iPhone etc.) Is it so difficult to imagine a certification system that could

be put into place in a similar fashion as current Mac OS X Apps? Buy or download the latest version of John Madden iTouch Football for your iPhone then enter the serial

number and register it online with your iPhone and use Safari as the Web Portal. Once that initial setup is complete you’re free to flick or pinch your way through a full

season of John Madden iTouch Football (sans a mandatory Safari web connection!)

By: Serko

Serko — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 23:28:00 +0000