Apple working on third-party iPhone applications?

Despite Apple's draconian measures to shut down iPhone software hacks and unauthorized applications, 9to5Mac reports the computing giant is hard at work with its partners to develop new third-party games and applications for both the iPhone and the iPod. Sources suggest Apple is consciously modeling its efforts after T-Mobile's successful Sidekick application development and distribution platform, granting developers limited platform access and making available new apps only after they pass internal checks for security, compatibility and marketability. To that end, Apple has brought in alumni from Sidekick creator Danger Inc. to create the iPhone/iPod software development architecture.

According to 9to5Mac, it is uncertain whether Apple will make new applications commercially available for download via its iTunes digital storefront or an over-the-air upgrade protocol--one probable break from the T-Mobile formula is billing consumers through their iTunes accounts, effectively removing wireless network operators from the revenue chain.

In related iPhone news, DigiTimes reports Apple is mulling adoption of Intel's mobile Internet device platform for a future iteration of the device. According to OEM sources, Intel unveiled a Moorestown-based MID product closely resembling the iPhone at its recent Intel Developer Forum--the Moorestown platform is expected to launch in 2009, and Apple is reportedly smitten with the chipset's size, speed and power consumption.

For more on Apple's application development efforts:
- read this 9to5 Mac article

For more on the Apple/Intel rumors:
- read this DigiTimes article

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