Apple iPhone to support third-party Web 2.0 applications

The Apple iPhone will run applications created with Web 2.0 Internet standards when it begins shipping on 29 June. Developers can create Web 2.0 applications which look and behave just like the applications built into iPhone, and which can seamlessly access iPhone's services, including making a phone call, sending an email and displaying a location in Google Maps.

The built-in Safari web browser as the platform for the dsitribution and execution for those third party applications. Developers were worried with previous comments that the Apple iPhone platform wouldn't allow third party applications to be installed. While those are allowed, Apple have not shown signs of lifting the restrictions on native code applications, those that interact directly with the operating system, instead of the browser.

According to Apple, third-party applications created using Web 2.0 standards can extend iPhone's capabilities without compromising its reliability or security.

"Developers and users alike are going to be very surprised and pleased at how great these applications look and work on iPhone," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "Our innovative approach, using Web 2.0-based standards, lets developers create amazing new applications while keeping the iPhone secure and reliable."

Web 2.0-based applications are more interactive and responsive than traditional web applications, can be easily distributed over the Internet and painlessly updated by simply changing the code on the developers' own servers. The web standards also provide secure data access and transactions, like those used with Amazon.com or online banking.