Many alternative applications besides music, created by independent software writers and developers, now exist for the iPod.
Apple doesn't officially sanction the applications, and may not help you if your iPod crashes while using one of these "outlaw" programs, but an Apple spokesman did offer that "there is a thriving community and a great interest by developers" in the iPod.
Apple decided not to share the specifications (called "interfaces") that aid programmers in developing games.
Nevertheless, there's tons of stuff out there now, some free, some costing $10-$15.
iPodLounge.com, allosx.com, and macupdate.com - the latter two geared for Mac users - contain descriptions and prices.
There are videogame players, map readers, a Bible reader, you name it, available.
Dennis Lloyd, publisher of iPodLounge, estimates there are now around 100 independent software apps for the iPod, up from a half-dozen two years ago. [via Pui-Wing Tam's story in today's Wall St. Journal]
Article comments