The powers that be over at Apple have decided to drop the non disclosure agreement that has been the bane of software developers since the iPhone launch.

It's hardly any surprise this has happened with developers and tech sites alike left right and centre saying that Google's Android will be the preferred and more flexible mobile OS to develop for. With that sort of stigma working against them Apple surely had to do something or face losing mobile market share. From Apple's press release:

"However, the NDA has created too much of a burden on developers, authors and others interested in helping further the iPhone’s success, so we are dropping it for released software. Developers will receive a new agreement without an NDA covering released software within a week or so."

But don't think for a second they want to give developers a break out of the kindness of their collective hearts, because the timing would suggest the reality is Apple's arm was forced by Google.

Which ever way you want to look at it, I have to say this is very exciting news. Anyone who follows my articles here knows my stance on the iPhone, that it's a pretty gimmick with little substance to offer, but now that Apple have cut the cable ties binding developers wrists people should start getting excited at the potential applications that might come to the iPhone.

Additionally we will see some interesting competition between Google and Apple, something we haven't seen much of before.