Trying to Stay Out Front, Apple Places New Limits on App Developers

Apple is tightening its already firm grip on what software can run on the iPhone and its other mobile devices, as shown by its recent changes to the rules that outside programmers must follow.

The company is locked in a battle with other cellphone makers, particularly those using Google's Android operating system, for the latest and best applications that add functions to a phone. The new rules, released last week, say in part that app developers may only use Apple's programming tools. That is a problem for Adobe Systems, which announced a new package of tools on Monday that were meant to let developers create apps once and then automatically generate versions for the iPhone and other companies' devices. Developers will also no longer be permitted to use outside services to measure how their applications are performing. The company says it will refuse to distribute any apps in the iTunes store that violate the new agreement.