New Applications are online!

In the mobile phone marketplaces there is some competition which keeps prices down somewhat.  Is there an API or development environment and some form of infrastructure to allow other individuals or organisations to develop apps for Sony cameras so as to give Sony some competition, or are Sony keeping everything strictly in-house?

What's the deal here...  are Sony just going to price out their new camera specs from now on, on an item-by-price basis with them charging the absolute max they think we will pay for each piece of functionality?

Is it going to be like the Apple and Amazon ecosystems where you are effectively locked-in to Sony once you have invested a certain amount of money in Apps (like music for Apple that only plays on iTunes/iPods/iPhones and Ebooks for Amazon that only work on Kindles) that can only be re-used on Sony bodies?

I like the fact I can buy MFNR for my camera, but I am feeling less and less comfortable about where this may be going...