The All Box

In a surprising turn of events, Apple announced today in a press release that they are now allowing developers the freedom to use third-party tools to create iOS apps ‘as long as the resulting apps do not download any code.’ Apple claims that this will give developers ‘the flexibility they want, while preserving the security we need.’

Previously, Apple’s developer agreement had explicitly stated that ‘only code written in C, C++, and Objective-C may compile and directly link against the Documented APIs (e.g., Applications that link to Documented APIs through an intermediary translation or compatibility layer or tool are prohibited).’ The new terms allow developers the liberty to use third-party tools like Appcelerator and Adobe Flash CS5, interpreters like Lua, and ported engines like Unreal — used to create the stunning Epic Citadel demo pictured above — to further innovate in app space.

In the same press release, Apple revealed that it was publishing its App Store review guidelines in an effort to bring as much transparency to the App Store review process for developers as possible — a step that should be welcomed by any developer who has had an app rejected or relegated to limbo with little reason as to why. The guidelines — described as a ‘living document’ presumably open to evolutionary change — are written in a surprisingly candid, even informal tone. ‘We don’t need any more Fart apps’ the introduction proclaims. Apple is right on the mark there, and hopefully, its actions today will encourage and enable developers to produce less iCrap and more Epic Citadel.

For a copy of the press release and App Store review guidelines, hop on after the break. Continuing coverage and analysis is also provided in the source links at the end of the article.