Apple phasing out iOS UDID access to solve privacy woes

With the launch of the most recent iOS 5 beta release, Apple is now instructing third-party developers to stop using the unique device identifier (UDID) in iOS devices, which is often used to track user behavior.

The change will disrupt business for many app developers, especially for mobile ad networks and companies like Tapjoy that rely upon UDID access heavily, but it could mean the end of major privacy concerns for Apple.

It’s also a good thing for users, since they will now have to opt-in to be tracked by developers. Unlike cookies, which are used on web browsers to track user activity, Apple’s device IDs are permanent, and users can’t block their transmission to third parties.

The latest iOS 5 documentation states that Apple will be deprecating UDID access for developers, according to a report from TechCrunch last week, and it now recommends that developers create unique identifiers specific to their apps. By deprecating the feature, Apple won’t be removing it enirely in iOS 5, but it’s fair warning to developers that they won’t be able to rely on it for much longer. Apple has historically discouraged developers from relying too heavily on UDIDs, so the change could just be seen as Apple being firmer with its preexisting stance.

We’ve asked several major iOS developers about the change, but we’ve yet to receive a response from any of them. Either they’re still figuring out how they’ll approach a UDID-less world, or they’re staying mum to avoid Apple’s wrath. Apple also hasn’t yet responded to further details about the change.

At the moment, it’s unclear if Apple will still be able to access UDIDs for its own services like iAds and Game Center. That would certainly give Apple a major advantage over third-party developers, as it can track UDIDs without waiting for users to register within apps. But it’s also the sort of feature disparity that could spark an antitrust investigation by regulators.

Apple could avoid many privacy headaches by killing off UDID access entirely. The company was sued last year by a Los Angeles man specifically because UDIDs were so easily accessible by apps, and a long-running Wall Street Journal feature revealed that many apps are sharing UDIDs, along with other personal information, without users’ knowledge.

But losing access to the feature will be a major blow to developers, since it will mean they will have to start their user tracking records from scratch. And for companies like Tapjoy and Flurry, which rely heavily on UDIDs to track and promote apps, it could mean a significant change is in order. Tapjoy CEO Mihir Shah recently railed against Apple’s restrictions on pay-per-action advertising at our MobileBeat conference in July.

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Tags: apps, iOS, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, mobile ads, smartphones, UDID

Companies: Apple

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Apple Phasing Out Magic Mouse to the magic of the Trackpad? [Update: new model?]

Cult of Mac reports that Apple is planning to stop its multi-touch magic mouse in the relatively near future, pushing users to adopt the Magic Trackpad to take full advantage of the new actions included in OS X Lion. The source, which is apparently in the arms of sale at the Apple retail, Apple is not replenishment of stocks of the magic to its stores as mouse they run low. We got the word from a reliable source, previously Apple is abandoning the magic mouse for Magic Trackpad. Our source of detail informed us that Magic Mouse inventory is not be renewed for Apple Store and Apple are finally gradually Magic Mouse.We find this rumour difficult to believe that if Apple plans to introduce a new mouse capable of recording the acts of more advanced in the Lion, as a large number of users prefer highly mouse trackpads for their entry requirements.

Users could surely of third-party solutions for their mouse must move if Apple was indeed to offer only the Magic Trackpad, but it seems plausible that the company would go as far from eliminating its packages of systems based on the mouse, such as the iMac. Apple began offering the option of a Magic Mouse or Trackpad magic in their purchases of iMac, but we believe that many users would be unwilling to be forced to move to a trackpad or having to find a vendor third mouse.

Apple, however, was often before the curve when it comes to termination it seen as obsolete, more recently, with the removal of the optical reader for the Mac mini.

It should also be noted that Apple continues to offer an option for mouse wired as a standalone purchase and delivered with the Mac purchasing Office. Mouse Apple, formerly the Mighty Mouse offers a clickable scroll ball and a touch shell, but is not able to recognize the multi-touch and other gestures. No there was no mention of whether if Apple is also considering phasing out its wired mouse.

Update: in a follow-up report, cult of Mac says now that the magic mouse is not be interrupted and that it is rather to receive a new number, which suggests that the device can receive an update. Our source in the inventory of Apple followed with us, and it seems that Apple has discontinued rather old number part of the magic for a new mouse. This process may indicate an update to the magic mouse, with the more logical prediction is better integration with gestures in OS X Lion.

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