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Apple loosens its chokehold on app development

By: cnn.comPosted On: 09/09/2010 12:20 P

Apple is loosening its grip on its app development for its mobile devices, announcing Thursday that it will drop restrictions on what programming tools developers can use to create iOS apps.

The move means Apple is standing down in what had become an increasingly heated battle between the company and the developers who have created the more than 250,000 apps that stock Apple's App Store.

"We have listened to our developers and taken much of their feedback to heart," Apple said. "This should give developers the flexibility they want, while preserving the security we need."

The practical upshot of the change is that developers will be able to use tools from Apple's rivals -- most notably Adobe -- to build software for Apple's iPhones, iPads and iPods.

Apple's previous policy of banning such tools had drawn notice from federal regulators, who have reportedly considered launching an antitrust investigation of Apple's software development rules.

Apple also said it will for the first time publish review guidelines to help developers understand how it vets the applications submitted to its App Store. Developers have frequently griped about Apple's opaque and occasionally drawn-out review process.

"We hope it will make us more transparent and help our developers create even more successful apps for the App Store," Apple said of its decision to release the guidelines.

Shares of Adobe (ADBE) jumped about 7% on the news in early trading Thursday, to $32.23. Shares of Apple (AAPL, Fortune 500) rose 1%, to $265.24.

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