Blog Action Day

March 6, 2008

The iPhone SDK

March 6, 2008 – 11:04 pm
1 #

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.

By Skunkie | Posted in Journal | Comments (1)

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March 3, 2008

Apple Event on March 6

March 3, 2008 – 3:41 am
3 #

I might be a little late to the party, but I still couldn’t help myself but talk about the upcoming Apple event on the 6th. The event according to tech sites reporting on the invitations is going to be on the upcoming iPhone SDK and Enterprise features. The event will begin at 10:00 a.m. and I am sure there will be a nice QuickTime stream shortly after for us all to watch. I’ll get that up ASAP on the event date.

As far as what I think is going to come, for sure talk on how the SDK for the iPhone is going to be implemented. I don’t think we will be seeing a full blown release just yet. A beta or at least an introduction is most likely. Since I am not very keen on what’s considered an “enterprise feature” I can only assume it is going to have to do with Exchange support.

I can’t wait to see what the iPhone SDK promises. I am just going to cross my fingers it won’t cost an arm and a leg through ADC (Apple Developers Connection) and it will be independent developer friendly, which might include freeware developers such as ourselves.

Update: I have some links to various live blogs for those who can’t wait for the QuickTime feed Apple will post after the event. MacWorld and Wired’s Gadget Lab are two of the sites I will be following.

By Skunkie | Posted in Journal | Comments (3)

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