Today Apple announced the beta release of the iPhone SDK download as well as what is going to come in the iPhone 2.0 software update in June. For those who didn’t attend the event (like myself and Polyvector) you can watch Steve Jobs head up the even in Cupertino with the QuickTime stream on Apple’s website. And if you don’t feel like watching the video or would just like a quick run down of what was announced I am going to go ahead and give you a quick list

Enterprise Features

• Push Email
• Push Calendar
• Push Contacts
• Global Address List
• Cisco IPsec VPN
• Certificates and Identities
• WPA2 / 802.11x
• Enforced Security Policies
• Device Configuration
• Remote Wipe

And of course Microsoft Exchange support.

The enterprise features were a big one considering the iPhone’s leading competitor right now is RIM (Blackberry etc) and in order for Apple to make it, these features had to be implemented. Kudos for Apple on getting it done despite how irrelevant this is to me.

SDK

• Cocoa Touch
• iPhone Simulator
• App Store

These things have got to be the most important regarding development for the iPhone. Since the iPhone is running Mac OS X, development is naturally in Objective C and using Cocoa. There is one catch, Cocoa is made for a mouse and keyboard, thus “Cocoa Touch.” You will be able to develop your iPhone apps using Xcode 3, Interface Builder, Instruments, and now the iPhone Simulator. You can download the SDK beta at ADC now using a free membership or a paid one.

As for distributing your applications, that is left up to Apple and the “App Store.” All apps will be exclusively distributed through the App Store on the iPhone (or through the iTunes Store on your Mac). You can distribute free applications, but it does come at a price. In order to test your applications on the iPhone you need to purchase a membership to the Standard iPhone Developer Program for $99USD.

There are still a lot of questions that need to be answered regarding the SDK and distributing apps. I can only say to keep an eye on Apple.com and the ADC iPhone Dev Center.

The firmware update for the iPhone will be free, but iPod Touch users will have to pay a small price (I am guessing $20USD). it will be available in June.

Today’s announcement yielded some might nice things for the iPod. Here is a quick break down:

• Reworked version of iTunes. Who didn’t see that one coming?
• Ringtones, iPhone Style, packaged with new iTunes.
• Refresh for the Shuffle— New colors!
• New Nanos! More pixels, more colors, new games, iPhone inspired interface.
• Regular iPod renamed iPod Classic.
• New iPod Touch — It looks like an iPhone, has a touchscreen like an iPhone, but brother, it’s an iPod. Oh yeah, it has Wi-Fi too.
• Speaking of iPhone — Massive price drop. Was $599. Now $399.
• Partnership with Starbucks — Free access to iTunes music store at all Starbucks locations…eventually.
• Beatles Catalog — No announcement. Steve is such a tease!

As soon as the Apple Event video for today is up I will update this article with a link. You can find an awesome Live Blog account of the even at Wired’s Gadget Lab (run down above via them).

Update: You can now watch the keynote for today’s Special Event!