Project Spartan: Facebook's Plan To Bypass Apple
Facebook is working on an app platform built entirely in HTML5 and geared for Apple's built-in iOS web browser, Safari. Sneaky.
Tech Crunch reports that Facebook plans to bypass Apple's security guards and sneak in through the iOS back door with its own app-based platform. This will be accomplished by publishing an iOS-focused HTML5 platform within Apple's own Safari browser, the one area in which Apple doesn't have full control.
Called "Project Spartan," the new platform has already attracted 80 or more app developers including Zynga and the Huffington Post. Unnamed sources claim that Facebook wants to have these apps ready to roll out within the next few weeks for a formal unveiling shortly thereafter, so there's a good chance the apps may not be fully polished at launch. Developers have reportedly been working on the HTML5 apps for a few months; Facebook began constructing the platform long before the developers signed on.
"Imagine loading up the mobile web version of Facebook and finding a drop-down for a new type of app. Clicking on one of the apps loads it (from whatever server it’s on depending on the app-maker), and immediately a Facebook wrapper is brought in to surround the app," Tech Crunch said in a hands-on report. "This wrapper will give the app some basic Facebook functionality, as well as the ability to use key Facebook elements — like Credits."
The goal of "Project Spartan," it seems, is to get iOS consumers to use Facebook as the distribution model for games and other apps, not Apple's App Store, Amazon's Appstore or any other distribution platform. But at the same time, the platform will serve as an outlet for developers to create their games and other apps in HTML5 instead of Flash. We already know what Apple thinks of Flash.
"Project Spartan" will also help Facebook push its Credits monetary system out into the mobile sector. Facebook intends to have Credits built-in to alloy developers like Zynga to sell apps and offer in-app purchases. Naturally this system would bypass Apple's own App Store payment system and 30-percent cut, putting consumer dollars directly into the pockets of Facebook and the associated developer.
But naturally there are pluses and minuses about developing apps in HTML5. Taking Apple's route means developers have direct access to the device hardware, but in turn they must shell out a yearly membership fee and abide by Apple's guidelines. Like the initial apps, updates are required to go through an extensive approval process, but users may or may not even download and install those updates. Of course, if said apps were created in HTML5, then updates would be applied automatically. HTML5 apps also aren't bound to Apple's guidelines, but they don't have direct access to iOS hardware.
The Tech Crunch report also states that Android is in the scopes, but for now Apple's iOS is Facebook's primary target. A Safari-compatible HTML5 platform means that app developers have a chance to reach out to iOS consumers on the iPod Touch devices, iPhones and iPads without having to endure Apple's censorship. Does that mean Facebook's "App Store" will be like Google's Android Market and play host to malware and adult content? Most definitely not.
We expect to hear more about Facebook's HTML5 app platform in the coming weeks.
- Microsoft Publishes Kinect For Windows SDK Beta
- The Next Chrome Will Load Your Next Link For You
- Hints Point to iPad 3 With 'Retina Display' Res
- Sony S1, S2 Tablets Hitting UK This September?
- Three Jailed Over iPad 2 Leaks
- Report: Dual-core Nexus 3 Specs Leaked
- Wii U Not Compatible with DVD or Blu-ray
- HTC Will Cut Apps to Fit Gingerbread on Desire
- Intel Launches 'The Escape,' A YouTube First
- Futuristic Fridge Turns You Into Iron Chef
- Geodesic Sky Dome Concept For Futuristic Cities
- Stretchable Eectronics Report How You Feel
- Aiken Labs Creates First Non-Optical Motion Capture
- Sony Teases S1, S2 Tablets with Video
- Spotify Exec Hints At July Launch for US Service
- Rebecca Black's 'Friday' Video Pulled from YouTube Following Copyright Infringement Claim
- Moscow Unveils Terrorist Proof Portapotties
- Watch Concept Tells You How Drunk You Are
- LulzSec, Anonymous Ganging Up on Governments, Banks
Ooooh... One of tech's new giants takes on Apple *grabs popcorn*.
How long will it take before iSteve starts a crusade against Facebook? And the irony... Apple used HTML 5's greatness as a rationale for banning Flash, but now finds HTML 5 can be used to bypass their walled garden.
Soon, HTML 5 and Facebook will be evil. Use Flash on your iDevice! Use MySpace! iSteve commands it!
oh this could be fun. Facebook vs. Apple, finally a fight worth watching. Google vs. Apple is fun and all but has gotten pretty stagnant lately. I'm curious to see how Apple reacts to this.
"Sorry, the browser has crashed. This may have happened to poorly written code. Maybe you should avoid visiting this site again, and use the dedicated facebook app instead!"
On a sidenote, i think Facebook is purer evil than Apple. It is like comparing Diablo and Bhaal of course but still...
i think Facebook is purer evil than Apple. It is like comparing Diablo and Bhaal of course but still...
I have to agree. I've never been a big fan of Apple, but Facebook/Zuckerberg have openly been worse than anything Jobs has ever done.
Paraphrasing from previous Zuckerberg quotes: "these morons actually trust me with their [apps]."
Well ... Baal was the last bost in Diablo 2 whereas Diablo was only the second to last ... I think Baal is still the most evil!
Facebook is worse than Apple. You know Apple is already on this devising some way to try an block it. When they do it will be required update for iOS.
"Does that mean Facebook's "App Store" will be like Google's Android Market and play host to malware and adult content? Most definitely not."
How delightfully opinionated and baseless.
Facebook's continual privacy leaks it the main reason I refuse to use any of the Facebook apps. I'll use an app (native or HTML5) to access basic Facebook features, but I'll never use any 3rd party apps built on to of a Facebook API or platform (ex: Farmville or Hallmark Calendar). I simply don't trust Facebook to be competent when it comes to privacy.
Just another Facebook activity to ignore...
oh no porn on Steve's precious iDevice! Next thing you know he will loose his vegan powers from the old half and half in the coffee trick and blammo! apple stocks plummet like Mafia whistle-blowers wearing concrete shoes thrown off a bridge.
Facebook's plan seems quite risky. Couldn't Apple just find a way of blocking this version of facebook? If web pages have the ability to know what device you are using, couldn't Apple just update iOS to trick facebook into loading a version of facebook that isn't the HTML5 site they are developing?
Facebook's plan seems quite risky. Couldn't Apple just find a way of blocking this version of facebook? If web pages have the ability to know what device you are using, couldn't Apple just update iOS to trick facebook into loading a version of facebook that isn't the HTML5 site they are developing?
Although Apple has figured the legal workarounds and has total control over the App Store, it is serious to limit intentionally the access to a web page. I most serious countries this is illegal, imagine what would happen in E.U.. So with the existing legislation, the spartans are going to drill a whole through apple's defenses.
On a side note. Spartans is not a very good pick from a historical stand point. The only equivalent of Greek history is the trojan horse that the Greeks devised. But of course that has a rather bad annotation, doesn't it
What are the odds you will have to have a Facebook account with full profile to access these apps?
Now compare Facebook's privacy record vs. Apple's. Whatever else you think about Apple, you must admit that Facebook is far, far worse about respecting user privacy. Facebook's record in user privacy is abysmal, with Zuckerberg's attitudes towards Facebook's users' privacy concerns just dripping with contempt. Facebook has violated its own privacy policy many times, with forethought and malice.
Sorry, Zucky ol' bean. Cold day in Hell before I trust you enough to do anything at all through Facebook. As far as I'm concerned, anything at all associated with Facebook is a huge data-scraping trojan horse. There is no app compelling enough to overcome that distrust.
Just what I've been waiting for - all my apps in a facebook wrapper. Now I dont have to worry about not having big brother around.
My two least favorite tech companies duking it out! Sweet, hopefully they both lose.
i wonder how much not having access to the hardware will affect performance.
hmmm..."Project Spartan"...does Zuckerberg want to be the next Master Chief?
After this, we might see ad using html5 instead of flash.
"Does that mean Facebook's "App Store" will be like Google's Android Market and play host to malware and adult content? Most definitely not."How delightfully opinionated and baseless.
+1, was thinking the same thing. Care to elaborate, Kevin?
Interesting to hear about Facebook’s efforts to bypass Apple.
Full of win, period.
Apple wins? Sad, but at least Facebook got a good drubbing.
Facebook wins? Sad, but at least the most arrogant and least innovative major tech company got a good drubbing.
i wonder how much not having access to the hardware will affect performance.
a lot...the wrapper is like an emulator, therefor performance will have some kind of impact, at least that's what i think
If the apps use them same slow and buggy code as facebook does than I don't think Apple have much to worry about.
Two of my least favorite companies duking it out. This will be interesting.