Apple: Web apps are teh awes0me! Really! Guys? Hello?

Web App Directory As per one of the rumors awash in the great morass of tubes, Apple has indeed launched a directory of web apps for the iPhone. The result would make a professional politician proud, as it manages to entirely sidestep the controversy over native applications by putting forth an alternate version of reality.

The directory really isn’t that different from the numerous web application lists that have existed since the iPhone’s release; it’s a little prettier, a little easier to navigate, and it fits in with Apple’s décor. There are options to view the Most Recent apps, Most Popular, Staff Picks, or browse by category or alphabetical order. Other links encourage developers to submit their own application, provide a primer on developing web apps, and explain why they are the best thing since Ogg the caveman first took a knife to a loaf of bread. Tops on the list right now? The Facebook app touted by Steve-o at the iPod event from a few weeks back. Because that’s really almost as cool as an original Nintendo emulator. So close.

But the irony award goes to the fact that the app directory is actually kind of awkward to use on the iPhone itself. It’s too big to fit on the screen and zooming doesn’t work quite as intelligently as you’d think. Looks like someone’s not paying attention to their own guidelines. On the upside, at least when you view it in Mobile Safari, it does provide easy and visible buttons for jumping straight to the web apps.

While this will no doubt be helpful to the many users who would never even consider hacking their phones for native apps, it’s not about to make those hackers sit back, scratch their heads and think “Well, hey, with all these web apps, what’s the point?”

[hat tip: Scott McNulty]

Category: News, Software

Posted by Dan Moren on Oct 11 2007, 3:39 PM ET

Comments (6)

Yeah, it fits in with Apple's decor, but it is decidedly less-than-optimized for use on an iPhone. Kind of ironic, isn't it?

I'll stick to the 3rd party offline apps, thank you.

;-)

Posted by DistortedLoop | October 11, 2007 4:03 PM

I was just taking a gander on it - on my iPhone, of course. I was thinking pretty much the same thing. Most people looking at this will be viewing it on their iPhones, so why not offer it in a more iPhone friendly format? Oh well. I found a few right off that I tried out. Fandango. Textphone. Bejeweled (where's the sound?). I bookmarked a few. A nice repository, and you can feel pretty safe knowing that Apple is providing the link for you. No need to worry about getting some malevolent html that might be embedded with code to exploit some unknown flaw in Safari.

I generally make it a habit to not just jump around from site to site blindly. I only visit sites that I know are legit, or are linked to from legit sites. So I for one am happy that Apple provided this.

Posted by Walt | October 11, 2007 5:42 PM

There is an iPhone listing which I find to be easier to use then that of Apple. It is at: www.appleopolis.com

Posted by ledario | October 12, 2007 2:07 PM

The alternate to appleopolis is www.mockdock.com. I am not 100% sure if it works still, but it is very similar in style and layout.

Posted by James | October 12, 2007 5:37 PM

I'm not really put out not having native apps for the iPhone, since A) I'm currently locked in to Verizon without an iPhone yet, and B) I own real computer for real apps.

I think Apple's strategy of only web apps is understandable, at least for the time being while they establish themselves in this market.

I do think the Apple webapps page lacks some flare, especially on the iPhone.

There are already several similar compendiums, e.g., iPhone Application List; and many more that allow you to catalog your favorite sites, e.g. AppMarks.

I run a site that just links to 11 of the best phone apps, http://www.bestphoneapps.com/

I also run a site with more than a dozen useful searches that aims to be the best phone page, http://www.bestphonepage.com/

Posted by BestPhoneApps | October 13, 2007 11:03 PM

To me, Web Apps are like Dashboard Widgets -- cute eye candy that is mostly not worth bothering with.

I tried OneTrip Shopping List in August, but when I got in the store and lost my signal, I lost the list. Their website says as long as you keep the page open you don't need a connection. So when I go in a store, does that mean I have to change my sleep setting to essentially "never?"

I just tried using it on my laptop again and found it too confusing. I suppose if I wanted to spend an hour with it, I might become familiar with it, but I have better things to do -- like using Notes to keep a shopping list.

OneTrip sure looks pretty, though.

Posted by Rick A | October 17, 2007 7:38 AM

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