UPDATE Over recent weeks Apple has tightened control over the acceptance of applications published within the iTunes App Store, and now appears to be broadening its control beyond the App Store but within the iPhone environment. In previous weeks some developers have complained when their apps were rejected with little or no explanation from Apple, or that they received an explanation that (to some) seemed anti-competitive. Apple has now made it more difficult for these developers to share their experiences or to create workarounds for distribution.

The Internet is abuzz this weekend over a developer reporting that his iPhone application was turned down by Apple (for publishing in the iTunes App Store) because it duplicated functionality of the podcast section in iTunes. The story is complex one, but is not helped by the fact that the policies of how Apple accept or deny applications (or indeed removing them once published) is not completely clear. The Podcaster application (available for viewing and download at www.nextdayoff.com) clearly is a useful application, but questions are being raised over Apple's decision to block it. Many are speculating that the approach is anti-competitive whilst others are calling for Apple to make the publishing and development processes clearer.

O2 in the UK have announced a "Pay & Go" pricing plan for the iPhone 3G. "Pay & Go" is the equivalent of prepay here in New Zealand sees those who purchase an iPhone not tied to any ongoing contract. From 16 September, customers in the UK will be able to purchase at a price of £349.99 for the 8 GB version and the 16GB version for £399.99. Not only is there no ongoing cost, but the purchase also includes "unlimited browsing and Wi-Fi for the first 12 months after you activate your iPhone 3G. At the end of the 12 months you can continue to receive unlimited browsing and Wi-Fi for just £10 per month." This is in stark contrast to here in New Zealand, where Vodafone do not offer the iPhone on prepay, nor any free browsing as part of any bundle for a one-off payment.

One of the most talked about features *NOT* on an iPhone is the ability to copy and past between applications. Apple have long said it is on their "To Do" list but not a high priority. The issue for developers is that Apple won't allow applications to continue to function when not in use, thereby suggesting that 'cut and paste' (which gives the impression as needing to function in the 'gap' between one application ending and another starting) was in breach of application development rules. That is...until someone figured out a workaround....and now it's open source.

Reports are starting to circulate around the internet of cracks appearing in some user's 3G iPhones. These are most notable on the white model iPhone although there are some reports of users with black iPhones having cracks also. The cracks are not related to users dropping or misusing the phones. Instead, it appears that the snug form factor of the iPhone is contributing to the issue, with the cracks being described as 'stress fractures. TUAW comment "It's pretty clear Apple has a manufacturing defect on its hands."