Could Qik Finally Come To The App Store?

CNET is reporting that the new iPhone OS 3.1 beta has new SDK APIs that allow developers to access to the camera. Sure, there have been apps that uses the iPhone's camera as a camera but never as something else, like a video camera.

I'm hoping that will change.

Qik has been available for the jailbroken iPhone. It allows you to stream live video from your iPhone or use your iPhone like a camcorder. Developers have also made Qik native apps for both the iPhone 3G and the 3G S.

Qik has said it has not submitted its app to Apple for consideration. But, I chalked that up to Apple not allowing developers access to the camera. Apparently, that has changed with the latest beta OS. But, there are still a few hurdles to jump before we celebrate.

I'm sure Apple could decide that the video-capturing function of Qik duplicates the functionality of the 3G S. Yes, that's Apple logic for you.

I can also see AT&T balking at the live streaming functionality of Qik. Slingplayer was only approved on the App Store after it took out 3G live streaming. That's curious because Orblive supports 3G streaming. And the USTREAM viewing app can now stream over 3G.

Speaking of USTREAM, it also has an app to record live streams for jailbroken iPhones. Since USTREAM has good standing in the App Store, an Apple-approved version could conceivably make it to the App Store before Qik does.

UPDATE 8/13/2009: Qik [iTunes link] is now available on the App Store with one big caveat - it only works with the iPhone 3G S. I already tried it on my iPhone 3G. It's mind-boggling that Apple allows Qik to mimic the functions of the video camera on the 3G S but doesn't allow a native Google Latitude app because it mimics Google Maps too closely. This app also doesn't do live streaming video at all. It also cannot upload video over 3G - only Wi-Fi. Disappointing.

UPDATE 8/21/2009: Today's Qik update gets rid of the Wi-Fi only restriction. Qik said this change would be made but this app isn't worth a lot if you already have the 3G S. I want this to work on the 3G: THAT would be revolutionary.