Iphone/Android Bitcoin Client... the hurdles?

[Sage]

Bitcoin has been around awhile now.  I'm very surprised not to find mobile Bitcoin clients.

Is there some technical hurdle preventing this?  Or is it simply just needs to be tackled and done?

How hard would it be to create a mobile app so stupid simple a total newbie couldn't screw it up (and lose their coins)?  IE built in open-source encryption standard.  And built in cloud backup (to multiple services).

With just 3 buttons:

- Buy coins (something that streamlines buying at the exchanges).

- Send coins

- Receive coins

...all the stuff that requires any thought (such as security and backups) is done in the background without the user ever having to do more then choose a password.

Possible?

[Revalin]

Check out Bitcoin Spinner on the Google app store.

[Stephen Gornick]

With just 3 buttons:

- Buy coins (something that streamlines buying at the exchanges).

- Send coins

- Receive coins

There are many options for Buy coins and Send coins:

 - http://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Mobile_Payment_Apps


Bitcoin Spinner (Android) has a Buy coins button but that just uses BitInstant.

CoinBase is probably going to be the closes to what you are looking for.  Think PayPal, with a linked bank account and where you can send a payment funded with a credit card, but uses bitcoins instead of USDs for the payment.   They are a young company yet though and those methods aren't even in testing yet.  It's coming.

In the meantime, combinations of services work pretty well.  A mobile app wallet (e.g., Blockchain for Android  + an exchange account) can be used together fairly easily.

[Mike Hearn]

You don't need a service to have a mobile wallet. Just install the Bitcoin Wallet app on Android.

[Sage]

I don't have android, but I did checkout all on that list for Iphone.

Blockchain for iPhone (does not show in app store, is this only available via jailbreak)
BitcoinApp (only shows prices, does not allow sending/receiving of coins)
Bitcoin Express (doesn't show in the app store, website it down)
FriendlyPay (no show in app store)
Paytunia (not in app store)
Easywallet.org (redirects to a barcode scanner)
ResponsePay (hosted wallet, not on the iphone)

None of them have a working wallet stored on the phone itself?

Is this some kind of conspiracy against bitcoin in the app store, or did I miss something?

[Mike Hearn]

You're correct. Apple has repeatedly banned Bitcoin wallets. The best experience for Bitcoin users is and likely always will be on Android devices.

[Sage]

You're correct. Apple has repeatedly banned Bitcoin wallets. The best experience for Bitcoin users is and likely always will be on Android devices.

Any word on the "justification" they are giving the developers?

Why would Apple be against Bitcoin? (I have my ideas... what's yours.)

[Mike Hearn]

They thought there were legal issues with it in some jurisdictions (they would not elaborate on what those issues were, of course).

[apetersson]

i would recommend releasing a bitcoin iphone app only for one country where you are quite certain about jurisdictions (germany, finland) because the local agencies have already commented positively

[Sage]

i would recommend releasing a bitcoin iphone app only for one country where you are quite certain about jurisdictions (germany, finland) because the local agencies have already commented positively

Or release it on Cydia and not be beholden to Apple.  I wonder what percentage of Iphones are jailbroken these days?

Apple has no legal precedent to even say something like that.  Bitcoin is not illegal.  I believe they are just trying to protect their micro-payments market.

[MXRider]

You're correct. Apple has repeatedly banned Bitcoin wallets. The best experience for Bitcoin users is and likely always will be on Android devices.

Any word on the "justification" they are giving the developers?

Why would Apple be against Bitcoin? (I have my ideas... what's yours.)

Apple hates open-source and decentralization.