R.I.P OpenClip!

[sayam]

Remember the OpenClip Copy and Paste solution we debut last week. If not, then it is an inter application copy and paste solution for iPhone that does copy and paste without voiding any SDK rules.

The basis of the app was to maintain a common clipboard in the sandbox of main app and when a paste command was issued, the running app would peep into the sandbox of the host app ad paste the most recent clip.

But, according to a recent post at the OpenClip main blog, the new beta of 2.1 breaks this solution as it doesn't allow any app to look outside their sandbox. That means the new beta completely opposes the OpenClip solution!

But, this beta was seeded even before the OpenClip debuted. So, was this purposely done? Nope, Apple simply did this so that no app becomes a privacy or security threat to the owner.

Now, the problem is that the solution still works partially i.e. copy and paste in the same app but that's no big deal as this was developed by Proximi in the form of Magic Pad even before White made OpenClip.

Now the main question is whether the solution is completely dead?

Nope, according to White the solution can still be brought to life but it will be not as efficient as the previous one. Here's what he has to say:

However, even though apple is killing the concept behind the current OpenClip, that doesn't mean we can't change the concept. A shared clipboard could be stored in an Address Book card or even on a remote server. Those solutions aren't as good as the OpenClip implementation, but they aren't bad.

The address book version, would have to write a very weird looking address book card to your address book. It would probably get synced and it would show up on your Mac or PC or even MobileMe. I'm not too cracked up about that, but I would be interested to know what users think of that (email me). The network solution is impossible for Apple to shut down, but it is no easy task. Just ask Apple's MobileMe department.

So, we'll soon see what happens in the near future...

[OpenClip Blog]

[ajustcircle]

Sure didn't take long for something to go wrong with OpenClip. 'Tis really depressing 'cause I thought OpenClip appeared to be one of the best 3rd part innovations yet.

[sayam]

Originally Posted by ajustcircle

Sure didn't take long for something to go wrong with OpenClip. 'Tis really depressing 'cause I thought OpenClip appeared to be one of the best 3rd part innovations yet.

I am sad too as I thought it to be a great solution...

[onemandivision]

i think the fact that all the programs have access to all my contacts is a far bigger security issue than them being able to access each other...

i think apple leaves that option for itself. im sure they are developing something similar and want to sell it

[MattMac]

Oh well. Can it not be somehow be implemented into the Keyboard like the app that added the feature where you could handwritten letters into the device (forgot what its called, sorry :S)

I know the selecting part would be hard to create, but I'm sure with ALOT of work, why could it not be done?
Also, it would be only avalible to jailbroken phones...

I am no Dev, so I'm sure its probably been explored, but just adding my opinion...

[A.T]

Apple did say Copy&Paste is on their list but it's not near the top.

So it would be pretty pointless if all 3rd party apps start to support Openclip and then Apple releases it's own C&P.

I need C&P between Email, Notes and Safari and especially SMS. All Apple "widgets", so I'm not really bothered about Openclip but I'd still supprt it.

[nycdiplomat]

oh well, we cant miss something we never had, hopefully apple's solution allows copy and paste between applications (one thing i miss the most from my tmobile wing)

[4nic8tor]

So screw the Appstore and release OpenClip on Cydia for modified firmwares only. Then add OpenClip support to all aspects of the iPhone/iPod. This is the only way it would really be of any real use anyway.

[fletch33]

Originally Posted by 4nic8tor

So screw the Appstore and release OpenClip on Cydia for modified firmwares only. Then add OpenClip support to all aspects of the iPhone/iPod. This is the only way it would really be of any real use anyway.

i second that. i would be happy to pay a reasonable fee to a dev for this.

[Muggz5]

Originally Posted by fletch33

i second that. i would be happy to pay a reasonable fee to a dev for this.

Count me in.

[gorduxo]

me too... lets say 5$...

[Boo Boo]

hurry up htc i think i want a touch Pro

[trumpedup_charges]

A few years ago in the dish/ cable / satellite market, there were a few individuals who were able to do some heavy coding programs that opened up the boxes; creating a decent living for most of them. The corporations couldn't stop them by law so they hired as many of the coders as they could. In turn the coding was infiltrated, people were arrested, some customers were back charged, and lots of fines were levied to the dismay of the programmers who didn't want to sell out. Now I don't know these folks at Open Clip, so I 'm not accusing them of anything. Just keep in mind that the iPhone is Apples new toy and they would like to update it with new models and new features for the next 50 to 90 years, if that. It would benefit them a whole lot to make a sizable payment to a group of app builders now so that they could profit much much more later. Once again, I am not accusing Open Clip apps builders of doing this, I just want to shed some light on Big Corporations business tactics.

Then again, what the heck do I know!

[iRoach74]

i thought 2.1 was supposed to have copy/paste anyway... ??

[Muggz5]

Originally Posted by iRoach74

i thought 2.1 was supposed to have copy/paste anyway... ??

Its on apple's to-do list.