Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

What Apple has not conquered

Jan 26, 2008 7:08AM PST

Gaming. I believe there was something about how Steve is reluctant on allowing developers to design games for the iPhone. Besides that, Apple should get more game developers to produce popular titles for them. I mean, the Mac platform has so much potential. I know that my old MBP's ATI card was outstanding for a few games that I played on it, and the current Nvidia cards are much better. People always seem to make stereotypical comments like "Macs are graphic designers" or "Multimedia" or even "They just look good". I hear that a lot, actually. But if they're so good at all those things, they can be better at other things like gaming. Macs are already good for productivity. I think that Office 2008 for Mac is really great and there are many new improvements.

So what else do you think Apple is missing?

-BMF

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Sorry I disagree.
Jan 26, 2008 11:20PM PST

"is reluctant on allowing developers to design games for the iPhone."

You need to research this more. The iPhone is as stable as it is since every byte is under control. Once the third party apps are allowed in, will you be calling Apple or your phone company because you can't make a call?

You betcha.

This was the right choice for now.

Bob

- Collapse -
There was an article about how
Jan 27, 2008 12:20AM PST

Apple won't let any games be developed for the platform, but perhaps I misread it. I'd bet that I saw it on 9to5mac, maybe even giz or engadget, but I can't remember. Too many blogs to choose from I'm afraid, Wink. I don't think it was too recent though.

Of course the iPhone platform is stable, and I know that the SDK is going to be released in a few weeks or so. Thing is, one company wanted to help Apple turn the iPhone into some "mobile gaming" device by allowing games on it, but Apple said no. And if you thought I was denying that Apple will soon allow third party developers on board, then perhaps you misunderstood me. I'm not arguing that Apple made the right choice. Sure all of those people who have hacked their iPhones and iPods might disagree, but I bet Apple has something great in store for the rest of us, and I intend to wait for it. At least the things that they will offer (through iTunes? Possibly) will be just as stable as their mobile OS X platform. That'll be good.

-BMF

- Collapse -
Can you hear it?
Jan 27, 2008 12:47AM PST

"Never going to happen."

Apple would have to grow exponentially in size and the cost of applications would have to go for about 10 to 20 times the going price for such to happen. No one will be able to certify third party apps as being so good.


Remember I'm an author of software from embedded systems, PDAs (includes the Treo phone), PCs and soon the iPhone if all stays in motion. If you think Apple would certify my applications read that quote above.

Bob

- Collapse -
Hmm...
Jan 27, 2008 1:09AM PST

Okay, I see what you mean.
You know, it's just amazing what Apple has done with all of this in the big picture. We'll see what happens when the SDK goes live soon.

So back to my original question, what's Apple really missing from its lineup? An iBox 180? Grin

-BMF

- Collapse -
Actually I was thinking the ...
Jan 27, 2008 1:17AM PST

iPhone Nano.

- Collapse -
I'll take one
Jan 27, 2008 1:35AM PST

but they better make a CDMA version. But thanks to AT&T, that isn't happening, sniff.
It's too bad Verizon didn't pick up the iPhone in the first place. Didn't Apple offer it to them first? I think so. If only Verizon had accepted Apple's marketing ways and cut out of the iPhone sales and plans.

Maybe Intel and Apple are going to come out with a new Core 2 Duo platform entitled "The Apple Pair". Two Apple cores in one! LOL. Now it would be funny if it was shaped like one.

-BMF

- Collapse -
There was an article about
Jan 27, 2008 2:27AM PST

how the last firmware update changed a few things on the phone.

One of the most important was that the user is no longer running as Root, they have their own account.

This makes for a more secure system and may have been the last step in getting the aquatic avians sequentially arranged ahead of the SDK release.

P

- Collapse -
I heard about that
Jan 27, 2008 3:00AM PST

Some people also said that the application update to the iPod Touch firmware was really just an unlocking code or something to provide the apps. Someone said that the files may have been there already as part of the initial 1.1.3 update...

-BMF

- Collapse -
Off-topic-sorta: ***?!
Feb 2, 2008 7:05PM PST

Are you serious? Apple was running every single piece of code on the iPhone as root?! Every piece of data going through the iPhone was capable of breaking directly into root?

And you trust your computers to this bunch of cowboys? I salute your bravery.

Sorry for the OT-ness, but I was so incredulous that I had to say something.

- Collapse -
Not necessarily such a bad thing...
Feb 3, 2008 7:44AM PST

Running as root may have originally sounded like a shocker, but if everything runs as root, where is the room for attack? Adding permissions to the mix could in some ways prove to be more dangerous, because there then becomes different levels of usage, and elevation is possible.

The very fact that permissions exist is a flaw, because of this very reason. If you don't get the security right, security itself goes out of the Window.

- Collapse -
Another off-topic post
Feb 3, 2008 10:18AM PST

Just thought I'd ask which Mini you got. 1.83 or 2.0? Amazon has rebates on theirs, and couple that with no tax and shipping (depends on what shipping you choose), you can get a great deal. I was wondering what Mini would be worth it. Also, I have an extra gig of RAM from my old MBP that Apple had me keep, so I save some by adding that in there... Doesn't void the warranty does it? I heard some people had their AppleCare plans canceled just because they added in extra memory. And as a side note, what monitors with built-in cameras are good? I'd bet that external cameras would be better though...

-BMF

- Collapse -
Eh?
Feb 19, 2008 11:34AM PST

Hang on. Did you just say that if the whole phone runs as root, then it's invulnerable to priviledge escalation attacks, because there's no further privileges to escalate to?

My concern is that gaining control over a minor, high-level part of the platform (like Safari, for instance) can immediately give an attacker the ability to do anything to your phone.

- Collapse -
Yes.
Feb 19, 2008 12:16PM PST

If no permissions exist, there is no flaw.

The fact that permissions exist often = flaws.

As soon as permissions are thrown into the situation, flaws exist unless the system is configured in an exact proper way.

It can be a good and bad thing.

- Collapse -
Let's call it a good thing for now LOL
Feb 19, 2008 1:56PM PST

I still find it interesting that Apple made such a change, don't you think?