It seems like a good idea for Apple to come to an agreement with Novell and talk about Mono Touch runtime (runtime only) on every iPhone and iPod Touch. Perhaps even make it a “one-time install”, which automatically downloads from the App Store the first time you download the application using Mono Touch, which makes each subsequent Mono Touch application easier to download (no runtime).
It would be like adding Bootcamp to OS X: it would be easier for C # developers to join the party, but that doesn’t mean that all these developers will stick to C # ... What convinced me to buy Mac - Bootcamp - I decided that I could always install Windows if I didn’t like OS X (and I liked the hardware, so there’s no problem). 6 months later I use OS X full time ...
Will there be any technical problems with this? I see only advantages for all parties, and not for someone disadvantageous (with the possible exception of a few unhappy Apple employees who would have to test the crap from the Mono Touch runtime before communicating it):
- Novell wins because Mono Touch is becoming much more viable (Mono Touch apps are becoming much easier than anyone)
- Developers win because there is now another tool in the tool belt
- Many C # developers are very interested in this.
- Apple wins because it will draw even more attention to the platform, more revenue from developer fees, more potential applications, etc.
- Users win because fewer places are used by various applications that have copies of the same time as drives on their devices.
Will there be a serious technical obstacle when connecting Mono Touch to iPhone OS?
Edit : changed the title from “Must” to “Will Apple deliver a runtime?”, I think that consensus on forecasting means that it means a lot to those who are considering using Mono Touch.