iPhone Developers' Lament: Apple Won't Let Us Fix Bugs (AAPL)

Dan Frommer | July 15, 2008 3:57 PM

itunes-iphone-apps.jpgApple's (AAPL) new iPhone apps are very cool -- and in many cases, even useful. But some are buggy. And because of Apple's super-tight control over app distribution -- and some missing features for coders -- developers are having a tougher time than they'd like figuring out what the problems are and fixing them.

So they're starting to make some noise. Craig Hockenberry, who created Twitterrific for the Mac and iPhone, outlines the problems in a blog post:

  • We're hearing about problems with our app.
  • It's hard to figure out what the problems are, because the "crash reports" Apple provides are hard to understand and don't include enough information.
  • It's hard to test out bug fixes. [If this was conventional software, we'd release patches and builds to beta testers and get feedback from them.] But with the iPhone, we can only fix the problems by releasing new software to everyone, via the App Store -- without knowing if we've really fixed it. "It’s the developer equivalent of playing Russian roulette."
  • Did we mention we love the iPhone platform!

And from another developer who wants to remain anonymous:

  • Apple is taking too long to approve app updates for the store -- even minor changes.
  • This puts developers in a tough spot: If consumers give apps bad reviews because of a fixable bug, they'll have a hard time reclaiming their reputations.

Why does this matter? Because the success of Apple's App Store -- and, bigger picture, the iPhone as a mobile platform -- is predicated on two things: Apps that don't suck, and a large, happy stable of coders.

If Apple makes it hard for developers to test and fix their apps, they'll be less willing to work on iPhone apps. Which is bad news for everyone -- especially Apple. But it's not an easy fix: Either Apple is going to have to loosen up control of its platform, or it's going to have to provide developers with some kind of extensive beta testing environment, where they can at least road-test their apps. 

See Also:
What Can We Learn About The iPhone App Ecosystem From The Facebook App Ecosystem?
The 3G iPhone Is Here. Where Are The Great Apps?
Apple's iPhone App Store: 500 Apps, Most Under $10, On Sale Now

Subscribe to SAI: RSS, email newsletter (no spam)

More:

Share:
Post to Del.icio.us


< Prev. Story
Next Story >

17 Comments

Daniel Beck said:
I'd be in favor of Apple having a separate, "beta sector" section of the iTunes store where established developers could upload incrementally patched versions of their software. This area would only be accessible to purchasers of the software through the "upgrade" button on their iPhones, but on an "opt-in" basis, rather than automatically. It should be free, but with the appropriate feedback mechanisms available to give developers the feedback they need. It's in everyone's interest for Apple to develop something like this, even if the implementation is non-trivial.
platform said:
"Did we mention we love the iPhone platform!" doesn't actually appear on the linked page.
Fat Guy said:
All the current apps were rushed out to be ready for the iPhone 3G launch, and didn't get anywhere near enough alpha testing.

Some major bugs result from developer stupidity: they should have been obvious even before testing. One of the main performance problems with messaging apps like the one mentioned above is a direct consequence of a known issue that was very clearly spelled out in the (nondisclosable) iPhone SDK release notes.

Other problems, such as Loopt SMS-spamming all your contacts, make Apple chary of carefully approving a good app, only to have the developers sneak in a privacy-violating, battery-draining, contract-breaking change in what appears to be a minor update (or a public beta).

Developers who released buggy apps early just to be first to the app store darn right ought to have a bad reputation they have to work hard to fix!
Tom said:
FWIW, two apps I installed on my v2.0-updated orig iPhone last Friday, NY Times and MobileNews, both had updates (from v1.0 to v1.01) posted as being available the following day, as bug fix releases.

It was a breeze to install the updates. Either they both had the updates waiting in the wings to be posted, or it appears some developers aren't having much difficulties understanding bugs from Apple's feedback, or with getting updated apps released to the AppStore.
Tim F. said:
Meh, much ado about nothing. Let's compare with Android: release an SDK well before actually having a device, abandon the developers using that SDK because Google has to scramble to create a device. Apple: proved themselves in the market with a device, created an SDK and gave devs months to create their apps, released an already overwhelmingly successful platform. In June, we learned of additions to the software, SDK like background notifications and ad hoc distribution (I thought it odd that Hockenberry didn't mention ad hoc as a way of creating a beta program--maybe it's not fully in place yet)... I'm sure in time, there'll be better methods for developers to test. Apple is scrambling and under pressure; the developers are feeling a little bit of that too.
Tim F. said:
Oh, and I should note that Hockenberry did allude to potential solutions but explicitly said he couldn't mention them because of NDA. Shame to see an article that tries to inform and plead for patience turned to fearmongering.
Tim, I imagine Apple isn't going to ignore these problems. And as a new iPhone owner, I'd take flaky apps over no apps any day. But -- unless these complaints are one-offs, which I doubt they are -- something is going to need to change. That could involve Apple ceding some control, or promoting a different distribution system for beta apps.

And just being better than Android (so far) isn't going to cut it. But you knew that.
Matt said:
Cant developers use the "Ad Hoc" distribution method to beta test their apps? You can distribute to 100 people that way.
Sam said:
Let's try to take the long view here. The iPhone isn't going anywhere. It's hugely successful and profitable, and will be with us for years and years. iPhone OS 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0 will be available someday.

I'm sure these problems will be addressed. The app store has only existed for a few days, and Apple is still ironing out distribution and testing procedures. Nothing I've seen so far is a deal-breaker for anyone, and there's plenty of time to make things better.

In short, relax. It'll be okay. IMHO.
Roberta said:
Apple will NEVER allow anyone to write unapproved code for the iphone.

Someone would just write a tool that uses 10000s of iphones and calls random phone numbers.

I think it'll be okay, too, Sam, but that doesn't mean developers -- who have a lot of money at stake here, too -- should be snubbed. The app store has only existed for a few days, but has been in planning for much, much longer. And Apple has been involved with software developers for decades. Presumably some of these problems would have been thought about in advance.
Kaywood Hopkins (URL) said:
um, the app store has not been up that long, the developers should give Apple a break.

Besides it is prolly bad coding, not a problem with the platform. Apple does include a test iPhone in the dev kit...
Pecos Bill said:
As a registered developer, couldn't you sign up people to test and push it to them? You'd do it using the same means as a corporation would do it where they wanted to keep their app private.
merton (URL) said:
640-802 iPhone Developers' Lament: Apple Won't Let Us Fix Bugs (AAPL) I guess so. You and your big mouth.
tia (URL) said:
Don't blow it out of proportion. Stop bossing me around. 640-802 / 642-456 / MB2-632 / 70-646 / 642-825 / 642-453
John Smith said:
The premier seller of air jordans and buy jordans and information on acne.
klingeltöne said:
Thanks, greate and useful article
good job!
Bei uns finden Sie über 50.000 Real Klingeltöne, Polyphone, Video Klingeltöne,Handy Logos, Handy Spiele, Handy Programme...Sie können die aktuellsten Klingeltöne auf Ihr Handy per sms herunterlden.
klingeltöne
handy spiele
handy videos
video klingeltöne
freizeichentöne
Handy Themen

Join the discussion



Copyright © 2008 Silicon Alley Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.