Late Breaking iPhone SDK Rumors: EDGE OK, Apple's Cut, Mac-Only SDK

[MacRumors]

MacScoop is chiming in with a few extra tidbits of information regarding Apple's SDK plans which are set to be formally unveiled at tomorrow's iPhone Software Roadmap press event.

Of significance, MacScoop says that although applications will have some limitations (iLounge: no access to connected peripherals), iPhones will be allowed to use both EDGE and WiFi for data.

The site also confirms suspicions that Apple will be wanting a "small percentage" of revenue from iPhone application sales. The site notes that they were unable to obtain information regarding the specifics of non-commercial (free) application distribution, though Electronista has previously said that Apple would not restrict the distribution of free applications.

Lastly, the site notes that the SDK will require a Mac running Mac OS 10.5 "Leopard," and will be facilitated through an enhanced version of XCode which is to be made available to all Apple Developer Connection members.

The iPhone SDK event starts at 10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern on Thursday, March 6th. MacRumors will be unable to provide live access, but we will post a comprehensive list of live coverage closer to the event.

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[aznkid25]

can't wait

[cupofjoe]

Confirmed: Paying for SDK apps.

[coumerelli]

Noon Central, baby!

[twoodcc]

looking forward to tomorrow!

[Buschmaster]

Noon my time, got it.

I'm not terribly excited about "live" coverage, so I may just wait until later and see. I'm just thinking that the news tomorrow won't be as good as I want it to be so why not just wait a few more minutes to hear it...

Hopefully there are some gems in there tomorrow.

[syklee26]

I am still waiting for 3G iPhone.

[BKKbill]

a "small percentage" There is always a way the make a buck.

[akac]

Originally Posted by cupofjoe

Confirmed: Paying for SDK apps.

How is that "confirmed"? There are two bits of info I see. One is that Apple will be providing a way to buy apps on the iTunes store. They will take a percentage. Sounds reasonable and exactly like how other places do it. Two is that free apps will be available. Nothing in any of these reports means that all apps will be commercial only.

[akac]

Originally Posted by BKKbill

a "small percentage" There is always a way the make a buck.

And this is normal. Any store that sells my apps takes a percentage. Heck even if I sell direct, Visa and MC take a percentage. Nothing new here.

[MacTheSpoon]

Originally Posted by cupofjoe

Confirmed: Paying for SDK apps.

This is just a rumor, it doesn't confirm anything. Also, there could be free apps available as well, the rumor doesn't say otherwise.

If Apple gets a small cut of stuff sold via iTunes, i guess that's tolerable. Enough to help pay for Akamai servers or whatever. But it better be pretty small.

And if there are apps sold outside of iTunes, it wouldn't make sense for Apple to get a cut.

[cupofjoe]

Originally Posted by akac

How is that "confirmed"? There are two bits of info I see. One is that Apple will be providing a way to buy apps on the iTunes store. They will take a percentage. Sounds reasonable and exactly like how other places do it. Two is that free apps will be available. Nothing in any of these reports means that all apps will be commercial only.

Uhm, my 'jab' was a joke at all the people that assuredly will throw up in arms at this tidbit of news, so keep your pants on.

Sheesh.

[VoodooDaddy]

What exactly does this mean?

iPhones will be allowed to use both EDGE and WiFi for data

Dont iPhones already use EDGE and WiFi for data?

[specops]

I am going to be very upset if they don't release at least 1 cool app tomorrow to start the ball rolling!

AIM, GAMES, MYSPACE, VIDEO RECORDING ANYTHING!!! please apple i wuv u


P.S.
The source also said they don't know if the *free* apps will be charged an apple %

[TaKashMoney]

leopard only? thats terrible news.

[BrownManUPS]

Originally Posted by VoodooDaddy

What exactly does this mean?

Dont iPhones already use EDGE and WiFi for data?

They mean data through apps.

This is HUGE if 10.5 has access, it definitely means a sort of open beta could be coming tomorrow.

[kungming2]

Originally Posted by VoodooDaddy

What exactly does this mean?



Dont iPhones already use EDGE and WiFi for data?

I think this means that applications (SDK) will be allowed to use both mediums for their data, as opposed to restricting SDK apps to Wi-Fi only and not on the network.

[cameronjpu]

Originally Posted by MacRumors

The site also confirms suspicions that Apple will be wanting a "small percentage" of revenue from iPhone application sales. The site notes that they were unable to obtain information regarding the specifics of non-commercial (free) application distribution, though Electronista has previously said that Apple would not restrict the distribution of free applications.

Somebody remind me what a small percentage of zero is?

[vandlism]

well if twitter isn't going to comply, why not pownce?

[mcarnes]

'bout time apple made something mac only. Enough of this windows horse crap.

[Mackan]

Paying for apps means screwing with ppl in countries with no iTunes Store?

[onionperson654]

The extent to which Apple opens up the iphone (and ipod touch, which sadly gets too often ignored, although happily gets to piggy back on the iphones success) may have a strong effect on if their phone becomes both a leading enterprise smartphone and a...... something new.

There are (very basically) two types of phones out there today (at least in the somewhat anemic US market, perhaps one of the reasons the iphone is doing so well here).
---1.) "Mass Market" phones. Sure, they can take pictures, video, and surf the net, but they such at this, and even the better ones are used almost exclusively for calling and text messaging.

---2.) "Smartphones." The blackberry and treo are the best examples. Exterprise integration is vital for these phones to utilize their abilities and make businesses buy them (and pay for their relatively high costs).


The iphone fits into neither category at the moment. It certainly isn't mass market, and yet is far from an enterprise phone. Obviously, Apple plans to correct this with the sd5 and enterprise support (if this is something additional, as the March 7 invitation may have suggested).

But Apple needs to focus on the potential for the 3rd type of phone.
---3.) "Consumer Smartphone/funphone (ok, that is Really cheesey)/multimedia phone/all-purpose phone/luxury-high end phone/more than a phone-phone." For the non-enterprise users out there who nonetheless want a powerful phone, this is a potentially huge market. The iphone when it came out was exactly this, with its amazing ipod, video, and internet (minus flash capability which, sorry Steve Jobs, is necessary to have it be considered a full internet browser).

If tomorrow's announcement focuses soley/primarily on the enterprise features, then sure, many people will be happy, and the iphone will be able to compete with the blackberry (I don't see the treo realistically competing for that long against either, or Palm surviving). BUT, they may loose the opportunity to strengthen their position as the sole participants in the third market for US phones. Without a really open development process (they should use the enthusiasm for the iphone to their advantage) they will stifle third-party development. Holding the hard line on flash, peripherals, itunes control (well, that's expected and probably ok, give the dominance of itunes), etc. will only dampen their hold on the market, and open up opportunities for other companies to launch fully-open phones to directly compete with the iphone, many of which have already appeared overseas.

---Category 4- "handheld computer"- It's possible, and if Apple doesn't want to move in that direction (read: Newton bitterness), then they should open it up to let others do so. Imagine being able to plug in a keyboard, mouse, and even larger monitor to the iphone and make it a real computer.




Will the iphone remain strong, you bet, but this reminds me of a comment made by Jobs, Wozniak, or some other Apple bigwig in the past couple of years. He said (or implied) that while Apple did eventually open up Macs to outside developers, their idea of a perfect world would be one in which they controlled ALL applications on the Mac. Perhaps this is their chance to regain what they lost, which is doubly sad because the iphone/ipod touch have the ability to, like the mac, revolutionize an industry. Or, they could become more like Microsoft (please don't send me too much hate mail for that comment).

[kuebby]

Originally Posted by TaKashMoney

leopard only? thats terrible news.

How so? It's only available to ADC members who all got Leopard for free.

Originally Posted by BrownManUPS

They mean data through apps.

This is HUGE if 10.5 has access, it definitely means a sort of open beta could be coming tomorrow.

Again, it only goes to ADC members. Come on people, it says right there in the first post.

[cohibadad]

woot. ADC babay! let's rock.

[ChrisA]

So there will be a new version of xcode? I assume it will include a new gcc compiler with a ARM target. I wonder if this is what Apple uses internally to build firmware for their routers, time capsule and iPods.?

Before reading this I had assumed the SDK would include the compiler and libraries but now it looks like they will be putting this in xcode. That's better actually if the exact same tools are used on the Mac and iPhone/iTouch