Editorial: Please make mobile apps do what they promise

By now, you should be aware that Apple pulled the Handy Light app this morning because the flashlight app could be secretly turned into a tethering program with a secret code. I would like all the people encouraging other developers to include secret functionality in apps to kindly shut up. Tricking the gatekeepers leads us down a bad path that hurts all parts of the mobile app ecosystem.

The appeal of the Apple iPhone app is clear: entering this code will let you turn the Apple iPhone into a 3G modem that you can use as a mobile hotspot without paying AT&T$20 a month for. Look, I’m not going to jump into the argument about what rights consumers should have with their mobile data because I understand both sides – consumers are paying for data (often in “unlimited” forms) so they should be able to use it how they see fit while carriers’ business models are built around selling device-specific data plans.

The problem that I have with sneaky apps like Handy Light is that it makes me question the entire apps ecosystem. I don’t know about you, but I want my apps to do exactly what it tells me it will do. I don’t want to accidentally launch an app when my phone is in my pocket, randomly hit the magical sequence and realize it has activated a self-destruct sequence or something.

One of the great things about the App Store ecosystem is that it opens the door for plenty of newcomers and small shops. The creator of the Handy Light app was reportedly a 15-year-old kid who probably just wanted to make a quick buck while testing out the boundaries of the App Store. Even though these “Easter eggs” are required to be disclosed in Apple iPhone apps, he sneaked it in anyways and probably made some coin while earning a few moments of glory.

Many mobile apps developers on the Apple iPhone aren’t kids playing around, as there are real businesses being built around these programs. That was unfathomable as few as five years ago but the mainstream success of the App Store and Apple iPhone has created a real opportunity for mobile developers to flourish.

But if you can’t trust that the apps will do what it says it will, mainstream users will shy away from new companies. While there are over 200,000 programs in the App Store, the majority of consumers interact with a select few apps on a daily basis (Pandora, Facebook, YouTube, ESPN, search, Maps). Without that trust, consumers will huddle around mainstream apps, which is a darn shame because we’re seeing some amazingly innovative stuff from the small shops and independent developers.

This incident also makes Apple look a bit silly, as its approval team couldn’t even suss this out. Where were you Steve Jobs? How can you protect us from porn and viruses if your crackerjack team can’t even realize that a flashlight app is hiding a tethering feature?

Tethering is one thing, but what happens when a developer sneaks in malicious code within apps? A malicious developer could probably replicate the Handy Light app, fake a YouTube video to show it tethers, and have it implement a program which sends all the user’s contact information to the hacker. We haven’t seen any major incidents happen yet but it could just be a matter of time before the platform is targeted because it is garnering so much attention with its apps. Is Apple really ready for this?

And if you’re going to tell me this is the only way devs can do what they want with Apple’s “draconian” approval process, please get that weak stuff out of here. The fact is Apple does approve the vast majority of apps and it has paid out over $1 billion to Apple iPhone developers. It needs to work on a lot of things but to say that the App Store is broken or that Apple doesn’t know what it’s doing is just silly.

Besides, you know how Apple is going to change its draconian policies? It will change when it realizes that developers are flocking to alternatives like Android, BlackBerry or Windows Phone 7. It will change when its policies do not allow cool apps on the Apple iPhone that are resonating with consumers on Android or BlackBerry devices. Developers bent on changing Apple’s mind should take that approach instead of throwing Konami Codes into apps for secret functionality.

It’s not going to change when punks fool Apple and make its approval process look bad. You thought things were bad before? Wait until more developers try and sneak in more “Easter eggs” because pretty soon Apple will demand the source code for all the apps. If you don’t like it then you’ll just have to miss out on the more than 100 million iOS customers, Apple will say.

Look, I get that one secretive tethering program is not going to destroy the mobile apps ecosystem but let’s please stop encouraging this unsafe and, yes, childish behavior.

[Via Gizmodo]

About The Author

Marin Perez

Marin Perez has torture tested cell phones and smartphones for industry leaders like CNET and InformationWeek. He remembers when 4G was just a screen on PowerPoint presentations and is fascinated with the amount of innovation out there. Marin has spent a lot of time with BlackBerry and Android but he finally broke down a bought an iPhone to see what all the hype's about. He also has too many tablets.

Kevin

You can't expect all of your devices to be backwards compadible. Don't have a fit because you don't want to upgrade to the newest device.
Fed up

It sounds like what bothers you is possibly "pissing of the gatekeepers". Shouldn't you be pissed that they control what we can and can not do on our own devices?! We paid hundreds for the phone and more money each month to use our phones, but they continuously tell us what we aren't allowed to do. (Flash, tethering, etc) I can think for myself and want to make decisions for myself. I am half tempted to switch to an android phone simply because of these draconian policies.
Paul Michael

This editorial is childish and naive.
The app "ecosystem" isn't some fragile environment needing community protection, and it will not be polluted by one or even a dozen apps providing hidden and legitimately useful functionality.

The presence of apps that have hidden and harmful functionality is in no way encouraged by the former nor are the two related. Yours is a failed premise.

If Apple wants a closed garden, it's up to them to keep it and expect people to push the boundaries.
Gideon

Given how Apple is treating 3G owners after the iOS4 "upgrade", I'm all in favor of making them look silly on all fronts
Joe

This is what happens when you have a closed dictatorship running the world. If you compare this to an Android phone you would find it interesting because, with Android, you can create any kind of app you want and don't have to worry about being shut out. Therefor you can have apps that provide normal, necessary functionality (like tethering) which allow users to use their phones the way they SHOULD be used. Closed source is bad. Period.
Jason

GROW up

I say everyone should do this very very smart
mdk

Disagree. The flaw I see in this argument is that these kinds of shenanigans are only a bad thing in an ecosystem where there’s no competition AND where it’s a good thing that this is so.

This type of thing is inevitable in a clamped down system where big companies are trying as hard as possible to remove functionality and abilities from the handheld computer they sold you.

People will simply move to other systems to get the software they want, or invent them, as it’s always been. That’s competition, and that’s good for the consumer.
marinperez

I do think it's somewhat fragile, as we are in the beginning stages of what the future of computing will look like. I said one app like this isn't going to damage it entirely nor will a dozen. I don't believe this is the right way to go about it though, as I do want my apps to do what they promise they will.

Your last point is spot on.
marinperez

Google has a kill switch for its apps too and has pulled tethering apps from the market at behest of T-Mobile and others.

And Google uses proprietary stuff for its search and advertising algorithms, it's main revenue generators. Additionally, who else but Google has actually had a strong hand in the evolution of Android? You don't hear much from that open handset alliance about code contributions.

Don't get me wrong, I'm rocking an Android handset right now but let's not anoint Google a savior. They're trying to make a buck or a billion, too.
Scott

Lame commentary. App "ecosystem" — please fanboy.

My Windows XP "ecosystem" has worked fine for more than eight years even though there are truly countless threats out there.

I'd like my smartphone without the training wheels.
D

Free my phone i paid for it, im paying for it every month and i cant do what i want with it, i cant even use flash on this piece of crap that cost more than its worth,apple is just a greedy money making machine. Let me choose what I put on my phone let me jailbreak it and if I screw of up well the. That’s on me but let me have control over MY PHONE I PAID for not that ATT or apple gave me I PAID FOR it should be my choice what software I install I’m tired of someone trying to protect me from myself
Our Holly sin

Developers lets go and lets overflow the app store with these kind of apps. Apple/AT&T is the biggest Communist company in corporate America. Big Brother is watching you as we say.
Hecate

It’s not damaging to the “mobile apps ecosystem” it’s damaging to APPLES “mobile apps ecosystem”. When you download an app on Android you’re told what permissions on your device has access to. So if it looks fishy (“Why does this flashlight have data access?”) then you can just leave well enough alone. Not to mention it probably wouldn’t slip through Googles approval process.

And you know what? I’m fine with it being damaging to Apples system, they more than deserve it. Plus as for it changing when developers jump ship? That’ll only be accelerated by stunts like this. If this triggers further lock downs and restrictions on approval then that will only create more reasons for developers to leave.
Ball

You're a tool
Fed up

A kill switch for malicious or illegal applications is completely different than not allowing your users applications because goes against your own agenda.
Guest

Another reason I have never owned (and will never own) an iPhone. I'm not going to pay to be treated like a 2-year old by control freaks at Apple. If I buy a product, I'll do whatever I damn well choose to do with it and install whatever "apps" that will suit MY needs.
Kelly

I want the source code for handy light.. PLEASE!!!
Jar Jar Binks

Im confused, what malicious code could be put into an application when applications don't have root file access AT ALL. This tethering app is the coolest thing that has EVER happened to my phone.
Handy Light Rocks

I'm all for anything that disrupts Apple's App store, which is the contemporary equivalent of mid-1990's AOL – a flawed, limited version of the internet, bottlenecked through a corporate gateway. Apple approved Handy Light, and its now my favorite App of all time. I will use it extensively every day until my iphone contract is up and I can switch to Android.
marin

No I'm not.
marin

True but they have pulled apps from the Market for their carrier partners.
marin

Then buy it unlocked, go month to month and don't expect full support from someone like Apple. They have no obligation to provide you with their service if you don't want to agree to their conditions. Luckily, the competition is great and there are plenty of alternatives.
marin

You can. But I don't know why Apple is then still required to give you access to the App Store or iTunes. They're a private company with a non-monopoly share, they can put conditions on the products and services they sell. As n informed consumer, you can choose alternatives.
@TotalEklypse

Sounds like a good idea. What is the source code for this functionality?