In a move that was as potentially significant as it was intriguing, TechCrunch recently published a fascinating exposé on Facebooks intention to ride into Apple's iOS town and set up a market stall all of its own for app developers.
According to the writer MG Siegler, The Social Network's marketplace, codenamed 'Project Spartan', would be delivered by HTML5 and therefore be compatible with the iPhone and iPads mobile browser, Safari.
Siegler's report on an unannounced (yet seen at first hand by the writer) app distribution platform apparently stirred the loins of Facebooks PR team, who attempted to dampen any speculation by informing tech writers that there was essentially 'nothing to see here, you can move on'.
Damage limitation
In response, Siegler has written a follow-up piece, suggesting that Facebook may be concealing this project to avoid raising Apples ire
at least for the moment.
"One source familiar with the relationship between both sides compares Apple's treatment of Facebook to an 'abusive spouse'," Siegler notes.
"Facebook has pissed off Apple in the past, and it has had ramifications. They have to tread lightly here."
The strange thing is, though, that Apple is reportedly not only aware of Facebook's Project Spartan plans - despite not knowing its "full extent" - but is also "lending some minor support" to the HTML5-based service.
Trojan War
If Apple wasn't necessarily cognisant of Facebook's overall objectives with Spartan, which stretch to in-app purchases via Facebook Credits, then it certainly will be now.
Any danger of Facebook's HTML5 app store posing as a Trojan Horse rolling into Apple's carefully curated platform then has presumably been eradicated.
Before it's even crept into Cupertino.
[source: TechCrunch]
News
With a degree in German up his sleeve Richard squares up to the following three questions every morning: FIFA or Pro Evo? XBox 360 or PS3? McNulty or Bunk?
Top Stories
News
Apr 27th, 2024
PocketGamer.biz Podcast Week in Views E09 - Supercell's Squad Busters goes global, Embracer Group splits, and Apple's Vision Pro flops
News
Apr 26th, 2024
Week in Views - Squads busted, Apple crushed, War zoned and Snoozin' with the Snorlax…
Feature
Apr 26th, 2024
Speaker Spotlight: Dubai Future Foundation's Faisal Kazim on leading Dubai's gaming charge
Events
Dubai GameExpo Summit 2024 | Middle East | May 1st |
The MENA Games Industry Awards 2024 | Middle East | May 2nd |
GameDev Atlantic 2024 | May 4th | |
Mobidictum Meetup Berlin May 2024 | Europe | May 7th |
Mobidictum Meetup Tallinn May 2024 | Europe | May 21st |
Israel Mobile Summit 2024 | Middle East | Jun 6th |
DevGAMM Vilnius 2024 | Europe | Jun 14th |
Develop: Brighton 2024 | Europe | Jul 9th |
Popular Stories
News
Apr 23rd, 2024
Supercell’s Squad Busters soft launches today with over 100,000 Google Play downloads
News
Apr 25th, 2024