iPhone SDK in February! IT'S OFFICIAL!!!

[Kaido]

Whoohoo!

Third Party Applications on the iPhone
Let me just say it: We want native third party applications on the iPhone, and we plan to have an SDK in developers? hands in February. We are excited about creating a vibrant third party developer community around the iPhone and enabling hundreds of new applications for our users. With our revolutionary multi-touch interface, powerful hardware and advanced software architecture, we believe we have created the best mobile platform ever for developers.

It will take until February to release an SDK because we?re trying to do two diametrically opposed things at once?provide an advanced and open platform to developers while at the same time protect iPhone users from viruses, malware, privacy attacks, etc. This is no easy task. Some claim that viruses and malware are not a problem on mobile phones?this is simply not true. There have been serious viruses on other mobile phones already, including some that silently spread from phone to phone over the cell network. As our phones become more powerful, these malicious programs will become more dangerous. And since the iPhone is the most advanced phone ever, it will be a highly visible target.

Some companies are already taking action. Nokia, for example, is not allowing any applications to be loaded onto some of their newest phones unless they have a digital signature that can be traced back to a known developer. While this makes such a phone less than ?totally open,? we believe it is a step in the right direction. We are working on an advanced system which will offer developers broad access to natively program the iPhone?s amazing software platform while at the same time protecting users from malicious programs.

We think a few months of patience now will be rewarded by many years of great third party applications running on safe and reliable iPhones.

Steve

P.S.: The SDK will also allow developers to create applications for iPod touch. [Oct 17, 2007]

 

[iamwiz82]

This may convince me to get an Ipod Touch.

 

[aphex]

rock the hell on!!

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
This may convince me to get an Ipod Touch.

Oh the things we'll be able to do

 

[QueBert]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
This may convince me to get an Ipod Touch.

I ran Jailbreak on my iPod Touch yesterday, dunno how you feel about hacking a device, it was basically a few clicks and I have all the apps from the iPhone + access to 3rd party ones. this SDK is interesting because it will make make it offically possible. I just wonder if Apple isn't going to restrict who gets the SDK or not. I doubt it will be as easy as going to apple.com and downloading it, but an SDK is a step in the right direction. Would LOVE to see some high quality 3rd party apps for my Touch.

 

[Noema]

This has just made the iPod touch a hell lot more attractive.

 

[randomlinh]

I will wait to see how this is implemented. I have a feeling that it will need a certification process, and maybe have some official directory linked to itunes (anyone else waiting to see how apple renames it? heh). I would love to see VOIP on there, but something tells me at&t wouldn't be to happy about that. maybe if it gets restricted only to be usable on wifi, and not edge....

this is better than nothing though, I suppose.

 

[TangoJuliet]

YAY!!!

 

[fierydemise]

While this definitely a great step in the right direction it will depend on how Apple implements it, any opening up is great but if Apple tries to keep too much control they may end up squandering some of the potential of this.

 

[Pabster]

Implementation will be key.

My guess is the SDK will be somewhat restricted and all applications will need to be blessed -- and sold -- by Apple through iTunes.