Apple just got done wrapping up the iPhone SDK event that they had scheduled for today, and they actually had quite a bit to say. about half of the time was dedicated to enterprise users who have been wishing for Exchange support, and the other half walked the attendees through how the SDK was going to work. And they of course had some applications to demo which we’ll cover below.
Note: All images are compliments of Gizmodo’s live blogging from the event.
In this article you’ll find details on the enterprise announcements, iPhone SDK, iPhone SDK demonstrations, and the general availability of everything.
–Enterprise Goodies–
Apple announced today that the iPhone 2.0 software update will add support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync. This includes:
- Push email
- Push calendar
- Push contacts
- Global address list
- Cisco IPsec VPN
- Certificates and Identities
- WPA2 / 802.1x
- Enforced security policies
- Device configuration
- Remote wipe
This announcement was expected, but even Microsoft had some positive things to say about the iPhone in their own press release. One thing that struck me from Microsoft’s press release was them saying that after “the iPhone launched, it quickly became one of the best selling phones on the market.” I wonder what kind of courage they had to muster up to say that? 
–iPhone SDK–
The iPhone SDK is what developers have been waiting for so that they can start building the wicked-cool apps for the iPhone.
Here’s what developers need to know:
- The SDK is available for free starting today.
- It will cost $99 to publish an application.
- If you plan on charging for the program Apple will keep 30% of the revenue.
- You don’t have to pay anything for hosting or credit card processing.
- If you are charging for your apps Apple will pay you on a monthly basis.
- They have a $100 million iFund to help developers. It’s kinda like Google’s $10 million fund for Android.
- No pornographic of malicious applications are allowed.
Here’s what consumers need to know:
- You’ll be able to install apps right from your iPhone using the new App Store, or you can use iTunes.
- Applications offered for free by the developers will not cost a thing to download and install.
- Applications will automatically be updated when a new version is made available.
–iPhone SDK Demos–
Of course Apple had to get some applications ready for the announcement so that they could get the ball rolling, and they did just that. Here’s a rundown of the apps they demonstrated:
- Image distortion – Shows off the ability to retrieve images stored on the phone, and then manipulate them using your fingers.
- Touch Fighter – Tilt the iPhone to steer your plane, and touch the screen to pick where you want to shoot.
- Spore – This is a mobile rendition of the much anticipated Spore game that is supposed to be released for the PC in September of this year.
- SalesForce.com – Geared towards sales gurus out there. This monitors monthly sales and keeps track of the things that you need to do.
- AIM – I was a bit disappointed that there wasn’t a cross-network instant messaging application announced, but at least we know that it will be possible to create one that looks great. This is an AOL Instant Messenger client:
- Epocrates – This is an application for doctors that lists details about all of the different medications available.
- Super Monkey Ball – What would the iPhone be without this game?
–Availability–
- Apple doesn’t have the iPhone 2.0 software quite ready for release at this time, and they are looking for enterprises to start testing it. You can apply to be accepted into the iPhone Enterprise Beta Program so that you can get the nifty Exchange support, and all of the good stuff that goes along with it.
- The iPhone SDK is available starting today from Apple’s Developer Site.
- The iPhone 2.0 firmware will be available to the general public by the end of June 2008. That’s not as soon as I was hoping for, but I’m sure Apple is trying to make sure that it gets done right.
- iPod Touch users… I’m sorry to be the one to break it to you but you’ll have to pony up some money to get the update. Steve Jobs declined to say how much the update was going to cost, but judging by the last update I would say that it will be at least $20.
Here is the Apple Press Release covering all of the announcements.
Again iPod touch users get screwed by Apple. I’m considering buying an iPhone when my current contract ends (in about 9 months) so I probably won’t be buying this update either since the iPhone gets it free. And all these fees are making me want to jailbreak more and more.
SDK is free….but it costs to publish the app? They’re contradicting each other.
Looks like games will be coming to the iPhone, I guess that is how Apple will creep into the gaming market. Lets hope the games will be better served than the iPod games.
So Apple is going to charge developers to be able to publish apps for my ipod touch, and they’re going to charge me to have the ability to use those apps. I suppose that’s great for business, but it doesn’t really help with my feelings about Apple as a company. They make good products, but I’m tired of giving them more and more money to get the functionality I expected when I dished out the first $400.
Max is right. Jailbreak is starting to look more attractive all the time.
Depressing….Androids lookin’ reel good now.
I hope that means the next iPhone will come out in June as well. I’d like to buy one, but I’m waiting for GPS (and possibly UMTS/HSDPA) support.
“but I’m tired of giving them more and more money to get the functionality I expected when I dished out the first $400.”
Like a bunch of babies.
You bought a product with a ton of functionality out of the box, and yet you expect even more for free? If you can’t stand to pay $10 for such a big add on, then sell your Touch and go buy a zune, see how long your love for that lasts.
Will the “gurus” at Cybernet News be shelling out cash for the SDK?
That way developers can play around with it without really making a commitment.
The games that they demoed sure look pretty sweet, and I would say that we’ll see great games coming out of this.
Apple is going to charge you to use the apps unless the developers set a price on it.
We can get the SDK for free, but we’ll only have to pay if we want to publish an application. I’m not sure if we’ve got an application we want to develop yet.
What!? Volunteers have to pay 99 dollars just to give away their software, on which they spent hours and hours coding and for which they don’t expect anything in return, for free to the masses? How’s that going to stimulate the programming community? I bet most people (both users and developers) will stick with the jailbreak thing if it goes on like that. Sheesh.
I think the people who will offer free software will also have paid software available, and will need an account for that purpose. I do wish that the developers wouldn’t have to pay if they were offering the programs for free, but I think it’s because Apple is going to manually review each release for each application that is submitted.