I downloaded the iPhone SDK the day it was released. I am not currently an application developer. I had actually never written a line of compiled code until last week. But the potential that this device holds for the future is enough for me to take what knowledge I have of programming and dive head first into learning C++, Objective C, etc…

One thing that I have noticed while watching the release of the SDK is that there has been quite a lot of unrest related to restrictions Apple has imposed on apps for the iPhone. One that gets quite a lot of attention is the inability for the app to run in the background.

I have read several thoughts on this over at Daring Fireball and I wonder if we might not be able to find a compromise by engaging the user to specify if an app can run in the background and limit the number of apps that can take advantage of this for Apple’s benefit by only allowing those apps that occupy the dock to run in the background.

Yes this means that the user could even disable a default Apple app from running in the background but if they value that ability for a third party app they bought then that should be an acceptable trade off and one that puts sufficient control of the hardware back into the hands of it’s owner while hopefully maintaining the optimal performance of the device that I believe that Apple is hoping for.

This would require some concession from both Apple and developers but I wonder if this might not be something for everyone to consider.

J.