I suspect that the reason this is a closed box has more to do with business than it has to do with technical details or fears that "my iPhone killed the phone company!".
Closed platform == control. Apple, and possibly its business partners (of which Cingular is only one) gets to control this entire market just as it controls the production and distribution and profits of applications for the iPod. Certified apps, certified developers need only apply. Cleverly, Apple is able to drawn on the resources of the Mac developer community, yet doesn't have to open up their devices to the (possible) competition from that very same community.
by David — Jan 15
Closed platform == control. Apple, and possibly its business partners (of which Cingular is only one) gets to control this entire market just as it controls the production and distribution and profits of applications for the iPod. Certified apps, certified developers need only apply. Cleverly, Apple is able to drawn on the resources of the Mac developer community, yet doesn't have to open up their devices to the (possible) competition from that very same community.