Apple iPhone SDK Announced

March 6th, 2008

Apple finally announced their iPhone SDK and it looks pretty cool. For all the gory play by play details, check out Engadget (with pics). You can also download the SDK starting right now, right here.

Some highlights:

• Support for Microsoft Exchange. Business users rejoice.
• AOL AIM.
• Same SDK as the one used internally for Apple to develop their own iPhone apps.
• Really takes advantage of OS X underpinnings — developers can use Xcode.
• The iPhone Simulator runs on a Mac and emulates an iPhone.
• iPhone applications will be distributed via the “App Store” which works like the iTunes Music Store. Apple takes a 30% cut for non-free applications, and developers set the price.
• iPhone 2.0 software coming out in June.
• iFund with $100 million to “inspire” developers to create iPhone apps.

With Apple controlling the iPhone app distribution, they open up an additional revenue stream. It’s actually fairly brilliant to use iTunes to sell iPhone software via the infrastructure already in place for music and videos. It works, users are familiar with it, and Apple has all our credit card info ready to go.

The platform also has some developer-tempting features (Multi-touch, accelerometer), plus there’s a fairly large installed base of folks eager to try out new applications. The slick and cool “walled garden” is slowly opening up.

So will there be a 3G iPhone in June? Let the anticipation begin.