1.1.3 prepares ground for SDK - apps no longer run as root.

[Project]

http://cre.ations.net/blog/post/iphone-113-firmware-behind-the-scenes-changes

- SpringBoard no longer needs to be modified (via SummerBoard) in order to show extra applications in the /Applications folder.
- All applications now run as the user 'mobile' instead of as root.
- Preferences are now stored in /var/mobile rather than in /var/root.

It also appears that the frameworks have undergone many changes, ostensibly to make it easier for official SDK developers to make programs.

Additionally, the SpringBoard app appears to have widget support - it contains a class called SBWidgetApplication which manages the package location and icon.

I will update this post with more details as I find them, so keep checking back.

 

[MacsAttack]

So - no real surprises then? Apple just doing what Apple have to do.

 

[Phil A.]

Not a big surprise with this, but I did call it

 

[kainjow]

TUAW just posted about this: http://www.tuaw.com/2008/01/22/the-secret-life-of-firmware-1-1-3/

 

[McCarron]

The only thing I see keeping this from being the final SDK release is the calling of CoreAnimation by it's old name LayerKit in the 1.1.3 headers still.

They changed LayerKit to CoreAnimation during the pre-release Leopard builds early in 2007.

I really assume they'll make the name change for iPhone by the time the SDK hits to keep Apple's ADC documents in line and unified between the two platforms.

Otherwise it looks like everything else is in place to make the SDK.