[IAEP] Apple Eases Restrictions On iPhone Developers

[Bert Freudenberg]

On 12.06.2010, at 20:10, Kevin Cole wrote:
> Regarding the recent discussion of Sugar on an iPhone and Apple's position on interpreted languages:
> 
> http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdot/~3/qWtSOhKr4To/Apple-Eases-Restrictions-On-iPhone-Developers
> WrongSizeGlass writes "MacRumors has a story on a report by Apple Outsider's Matt Drance that Apple is easing their restrictions on interpreted code used in iPhone development, a change which allows game developers in particular to continue to use interpreted languages such as Lua in their App Store applications. The change comes alongside Apple's further modifications of its iOS developer terms that again allow for limited analytics data collection to aid advertisers and developers, but appear to shut out non-independent companies such as Google's AdMob from receiving the data. It's not enough of an 'about face' to let Adobe or Google back in the picture but they've backpedaled enough to let the little guys squeeze through." Read more of this story at Slashdot\

The educational use of interpreted languages is at least part of Apple's revised terms. See forwarded message below - allowing applications like Squeak/Etoys and Scratch is of concern to Apple. John is the developer of the Squeak Virtual Machine for the iPhone/iPad, which is used by both the Scratch and Etoys ports.

- Bert -

Begin forwarded message:

> From: John M McIntosh <johnmci at smalltalkconsulting.com>
> Date: 11. Juni 2010 07:43:05 MESZ
> To: lenglish5 at cox.net
> Cc: ESUG Mailing list <esug-list at lists.esug.org>, "Pharo-project at lists.gforge.inria.fr Development" <pharo-project at lists.gforge.inria.fr>, The general-purpose Squeak developers list <squeak-dev at lists.squeakfoundation.org>
> Subject: Re: [squeak-dev] Re: Talking to Steve Jobs about Scratch.
> Reply-To: johnmci at smalltalkconsulting.com, The general-purpose Squeak developers list <squeak-dev at lists.squeakfoundation.org>
> 
> Well I was hoping to have a few more days to settle things. 
> 
> The Smalltalk community should take a deep bow and thank Alan Kay for spending many hours talking to the highest level of people at Apple about the importance of the iPad as a platform to teach computational theory to people of all ages. 
> 
> So how does this all sort out? Well I don't know, nothing has officially changed, yet...
> 
> But I'm at WWDC this week, I did talk to the manager of the App Store (they were expecting me) and I do have an appointment with Apple next week to discuss the "Unless otherwise approved by Apple in writing"
> 
> Once that happens I will let everyone know the outcome, Apple is working what the approval process is, and I think the Smalltalk & Scratch community will be the first players in the door for Apple's embracing of interpreted languages for educational purposes on the iPad. 
> 
> I must publicly thank the Smalltalk and Scratch communities for being patient and polite in waiting for the issue to resolve itself, and true thanks should be directed to Alan for his behind the scenes efforts in ensuring the Computer Science community has equal footing with the language arts & music departments for apps on the iPad.
> 
> I caution everyone that we're not there yet, but let's see what happens next week, so don't open the champaign bottles yet. 
> 
> --
> ===========================================================================
> John M. McIntosh <johnmci at smalltalkconsulting.com>   Twitter:  squeaker68882
> Corporate Smalltalk Consulting Ltd.  http://www.smalltalkconsulting.com
> ===========================================================================