In an astonishing revelation, Pandora executives shared in a recent Vice interview that Apple's Scott Forstall asked them to develop their mobile app using jailbroken iPhones before the App Store was even a thought. This bold move would ultimately lead to the creation of one of the first subscription-based music streaming services on iOS.
The Birth of Mobile App Development
Pandora's journey began as one of the first subscription-based music streaming services, but it wasn't until they brought their app to iPhone that mobile app development truly took off. At the time, Steve Jobs advocated for web apps, and jailbreak tools became the go-to solution for users seeking third-party tools on Apple's smartphone.
A Meeting That Changed Everything
Scott Forstall, Apple's senior vice president of iOS software at the time, invited Pandora executives Tim Westergren and Tom Conrad to Cupertino for lunch. The conversation turned from discussing their experience bringing the Pandora app to flip phones like Motorola's RAZR to preparing for the next generation of iPhone with an App Store and native APIs.
Forstall's Surprising Advice
Conrad asked what they could do at Pandora to get ready, and Forstall responded by suggesting that they use jailbroken iPhones to create an iOS app ahead of the App Store launch. This was a crucial moment in mobile app development history, as Apple had no official SDK at the time and no formal plans to announce the App Store.
Pandora's Mobile App Development Journey
With Forstall's guidance, Pandora obtained some jailbroken iPhone models and worked on their native iOS app. When Apple finally announced the App Store in 2008, Pandora was one of the first third-party apps available for iPhone. The report highlights how nine months later, the Pandora app was installed on 21 percent of iPhones, and five years after that, nearly 80 percent of Pandora's radio listening was on a mobile device.
The Impact of Mobile App Development
This remarkable story showcases Pandora's innovative approach to mobile app development, paving the way for the creation of more iOS apps. The full Vice report also delves into other interesting details about Pandora, including royalty disputes and how they're competing with services like Apple Music and Spotify.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.