New iPhone apps must be 3.0 friendly, says Apple

Stephen Withers
Monday, 11 May 2009 12:30

Opinion and Analysis

Ahead of new iPhone firmware expected in a couple of months, Apple has told developers to make sure any new applications work with the iPhone 3.0 update.

With the exception of software intended for use with jailbroken iPhones, most iPhone apps are sold though Apple's App Store, giving the company considerable control over what developers can put on the market.

That control has led to a 'here today, gone tomorrow' life for certain applications (notably I Am Rich and Baby Shaker), but it also means Apple can make arbitrary - if understandable - changes.

So when the company sends an email to its developers telling them in part that "Existing Apps in the App Store should already run on iPhone OS 3.0 without modification, but you should test your existing apps with iPhone OS 3.0 to ensure that there are no compatibility issues," devs have little option other than to comply.

"If your app submission is not compatible with iPhone OS 3.0, it will not be approved," the company warned developers.

Given that iPhone 3.0 isn't far away, it makes sense to ensure that customers don't buy new applications that won't work in several weeks' time after they install the update.

But the schedule may not suit some developers' timetables as far as non-3.0 compatible software is concerned. For example, they may have been planning to hold off until after the anticipated arrival of the 2009 iPhone before releasing new versions that work with 3.0 and take advantage of any new hardware features such as the rumoured digital compass.

What might Apple's motivation be, other than a desire to minimise the number of apps that are incompatible with iPhone 3.0? Please read on.