Apple drops NDA for iPhone developers

Craig Hockenberry agrees with Speirs. “[The review process] seems to be taking longer as time goes on. It appears that Apple is overwhelmed by the success of the platform and they need to adapt their processes to deal with the flood of submissions.”

Both Speirs and Hockenberry think Apple still needs to work on a pre-approval process for applications, so that developers don’t end up putting a lot of work into programs that are ultimately rejected. But both also agree that Apple will likely address that issue as well.

"The best thing about this announcement is that it shows Apple is listening to us," said Hockenberry. "It gives us all confidence that our other concerns will be addressed over time.”

Apple said it will issue a new agreement to developers covering released software that will not contain the NDA clauses. Software and features that Apple has not yet released, such as future versions of the iPhone Software Development Kit, will continue to be confidential until their release.

“I don’t see the caveat about 'unreleased' software being a big deal,” said Craig Hockenberry, pointing out that similar restrictions have long governed developers' access to Mac OS X. “I think this is actually a good thing, since 'unreleased' APIs tend to change.”

The full details, however, will have to wait until the new agreement makes its way to developers. But for now, the mood in the iPhone development community is clearly celebratory.

“I’ve marked October 1st on my calendar as NDA Lifting Day — set to repeat yearly, like a holiday,” said NewsGator’s Simmons. “It’s that cool.”

MORE FROM TECH AND GADGETS

Tech and gadgets Section Front

Cool gifts for shutterbugs Netbook decision: Windows XP or 7 Starter? Real-life high school musical smackdown! Court orders Microsoft to stop selling Word Teen gets plea deal in Facebook sex scam The Grio: HP's face-tracking webcams aren't 'racist' 'Invisible bracelet' for emergency health alerts? Lavish gadgets for those with rich taste Is facial recognition software discriminatory? Terrific tech gifts for $200 or less Tech and gadgets Section Front   Add Tech and gadgets headlines to your news reader: