iPhone, iPod Touch SDK Details March 6th

[Sonicjay]

It's a code word for Exchange support

Yeah, I think we're going to see Exchange integration really soon. My cousin works at a MS Gold partner that sits on the SBS advisory council at MS, and he said that Apple has already licensed the technology, and once it was released, he'd probably be getting an iPhone.

 

[FreeState]

Does anyone agree with me that push-mail on .Mac is more than overdue if RIM is the target?

Yeah because everyone knows enterprise users have .mac accounts. I have a feeling .mac accounts among current iPhone users are in the low 2-5% of all iPhone owners. If they want to beat RIM Apple has to go after enterprise (read exchange users).

 

[jmadlena]

I'm pretty sure, like a lot of you, that we won't see a Developer ready SDK on March 6th. If it will be available the invitation wouldn't say 'learn about the iPhone software roadmap.' Makes it sound like they are putting a nice spin on the fact that it isn't ready yet.

I'm cool with waiting some more to get a solid release, but this is disappointing, and starting to become indicative of what Apple is becoming. I still love you though Apple!

 

[rtdunham]

... it just seems silly that iTunes, again, which is supposed to be for music playback, is in control of all this other non-music related items too...

The Wall Street Journal's Walt Mossberg wrote a column a year or two ago in which he said, best i can remember, that iTunes' music function was merely the tip of an iceberg, that with the app, Apple had released a powerful software vehicle to a multitude of future uses unrelated to music.

maybe someone could find that article and post the pertinent parts?

 

[gusapple]

Grrrrrr. I must say that it would burst my bubble if Apple (or the developers) charged for the apps. I just hope for something like native IM.

 

[junker]

Now this is truly exciting! I think that apps will really bloom! I see so many different web apps/games on apples site...

http://www.apple.com/webapps/

...And there are some really cool apps! I just don't like the web app. process...kind of funky.

Also, maybe we can get a cut/paste of sorts.

Very cool!

 

[dgdosen]

Viewable by ADC Select Members?

You'd think they'd netcast this, or at least pop it up on iTunes for the ADC Select members...

Apple, are you listening? I'd watch it...

 

[chr1s60]

I know this might be a bit off topic, but does anyone else think the whole naming scheme is getting a bit out of hand here? I mean iTunes, the music playing program, now handles music, movies, tv shows, iPhone stuff, and soon iPhone downloads (I'm sure there's something else non-music related I forgot in there)? I mean I know "iTunes" is well known by the public at this point, but it just seems silly that iTunes, again, which is supposed to be for music playback, is in control of all this other non-music related items too.

Whatever, good to hear the SDK is finally coming around.

You need to look at iTunes the same way people look at the iPhone. I would much rather have iTunes used for all those things instead of needing 6 different programs to get all that stuff. I mean, the iPhone is called i"Phone" yet it has much more than a phone. Your argument is basically that because tunes is in the title, it should be music only. If everything was done that way we would all need thousands of different programs to do the simplest of tasks.

iTunes is basically the portal to everything Apple and I think it is going to stay that way.

 

[jmorrison0722]

Outlook support is already in the iPhone...but it sure will be nice if they give us direct to exchange support. I can't imagine anything else on the enterprise level that is more important...this and better security / lock down features.

 

[Peace]

You'd think that netcast this, or at least pop it up on iTunes for the ADC Select members...

Apple, are you listening? I'd watch it...

I agree. One would think since this is a SDK that developers would be invited.

Unless Jobs is going to introduce the 3G iPhone with a "roadmap" showing it due out June.

 

[FreeState]

It looks to me like the iphone sdk roadmap might actually have been released... in the invitation.

Looking closely at the map, it appears to have three parts.

1.) Software Update- Could this be the 1.14 update we saw yesterday preparing the road for the sdk?

2.) SDK- The March 6 event?

3.) Enterprise- Then enterprise users (apparently the main focus of the upcoming event, which makes sense because the biggest hurdle to market penetration for the iphone is that it can't compare to the Treo and Blackberry when it comes to enterprise integration, yet) will get to intergrate it with their systems.

I seems like a plausible, if simplistic roadmap, but hey, this is macrumors. Perhaps the roadmap goes in the other direction, with enterprise users getting it first, then releasing the SDK, then people getting new software, but with yesterday's update, I doubt it.

All in all, I'm excited about March 6. Luckily March 4 is exciting (mini-super tuesday), so that'll tide me over.

Except the arrows on the map are all pointing the other way - to the right - you must be a male, reading the map backwards j/k

 

[mondesi43]

DOES THIS MEAN SDK ON MARCH 6TH or IS IT STILL END OF FEBRUARY?

Hukd on fonyx werked four mii

In other news.....The entire planet is shifting the calendar by 2 days to align March 6th with a Tuesday so the Apple crazies don't get confused.

 

[jmorrison0722]

You need to look at iTunes the same way people look at the iPhone. I would much rather have iTunes used for all those things instead of needing 6 different programs to get all that stuff. I mean, the iPhone is called i"Phone" yet it has much more than a phone. Your argument is basically that because tunes is in the title, it should be music only. If everything was done that way we would all need thousands of different programs to do the simplest of tasks.

iTunes is basically the portal to everything Apple and I think it is going to stay that way.

I agree the name doesn't really fit anymore. Should be something like iMedia. However, don't forget what a household name iTunes has become...it would be kinda silly for Apple to give that up, huh?

 

[Bickity]

Pony Up!

Of course we should pay for these. People are working hard to get us what we want, so why not pay. Criers can write their own apps.

 

[dicklacara]

I know this might be a bit off topic, but does anyone else think the whole naming scheme is getting a bit out of hand here? I mean iTunes, the music playing program, now handles music, movies, tv shows, iPhone stuff, and soon iPhone downloads (I'm sure there's something else non-music related I forgot in there)? I mean I know "iTunes" is well known by the public at this point, but it just seems silly that iTunes, again, which is supposed to be for music playback, is in control of all this other non-music related items too.

Whatever, good to hear the SDK is finally coming around.

Yes! I think they should rename it to "ITMS™ (iTunes Media Store)".... and refer to it that way for a while. Then gradually, when ITMS part of the vernacular drop the "(iTunes Media Store)" part.

Dick

 

[jmorrison0722]

Of course we should pay for these. People are working hard to get us what we want, so why not pay. Criers can write their own apps.

Apple gets a portion of my monthly cell phone bill, not to mention $600 up front (actually mine was free, but you know what I mean) so I sort of expect most anything they come out with to be free...short of new iPhones.

 

[pine1045]

Apple gets a portion of my monthly cell phone bill, not to mention $600 up front (actually mine was free, but you know what I mean) so I sort of expect most anything they come out with to be free...short of new iPhones.

But what if the 3rd party developers want money for their creations? Are they not entitled to that just because Apple makes money on the phone and subscription plans?

 

[sterlingindigo]

Free Apps

There's no free lunch anywhere. The 'free' value-added apps we get already (Google Maps, Stock Picks, Weather, etc.) are included/bundled in the price of the iPhone.

I wouldn't mind an ala carte selection of some sort and might even pay up to $2 for the shaking boobs. Current web apps are sorta free mostly.

Doubt that Apple will step on AT&T's toes (too much). GPS and OnSTAR, will have a service plan. "Make-mine-a-tripple-espresso-at-Starbucks" will be free (please tip your barrista).

 

[redbergy]

Apps will be signed. You need the developer tools like you do now to write OSX apps. You need to be in the developer program to get a signature for your apps, but it costs nothing, you just need to identify yourself to Apple. ALL apps are signed, even if free. If you app is open source no problem, you distribute the source and/or signed compiled app, but for another to compile and install the app they need a signature themselves. That is, every creator of an app is traceable through their signature. This is an effort to minimize malicious apps.

Write iPhone apps with XCode. XCode can install apps right onto the phone after building them. A free standalone Mac/Windows app (the Installer) will also be able to install signed apps. You can make a package that will install your app and distribute it any way you like, for free, over the Net, or whatever.

You'll be able to submit apps to iTunes. They can be free or any other price you want. Apple takes a percentage of the price. Apple takes a minimum of $0.25 even if the app is free, to pay for iTunes distribution. If this bothers you, distribute it yourself as a package outside of iTunes.

As a developer myself, this is exactly how I see the whole thing playing out. Unless, as one poster said the SDK is released like the SDK to say a Playstation (only to large companies) this is about the only way to do it. And, if this were the case, why would we be getting all the hub-bub about the SDK is coming - it's something would be alot more low key, there would be no public announcements and Apple would goto companies they want to have it, or you'd have to negotiate with Apple to get it (much like the video game world now).

If you get a copy of the SDK it will include a way to get your App from your computer to your iPhone via the data cable. It would be completely ridiculous for a developer to not be able to test applications on a live device, and even more ridiculous to think every minor revision/code change would need to go through a submittal process with Apple before it can be tested.

Since this will surely be the case, there will be some way to get an App on your phone for free without iTunes (or maybe with iTunes if that's how the SDK does it).

Taking the above into account, I'm sure, if Apple will not let the normal user install Apps on their phone without buying them from iTunes, someone from the open source community will come up with a way to use the same methods as the SDK does to get a free App on your phone.

It is in Apple's best interest to allow people to make free applications on their phones - it will completely quell the jailbreak rebellion, it will add features to their phones "out of the box" (no additional fees) and increase customer loyalty and the NEED/user dependency on the phone (as if they need any more of that )

Of course developers will have an option to make you pay for their app, but they will also have the option as they do with every other platform and every other OS (yes even *gasp* windoze) to distribute their app for free.

If you're mad because you have to pay $5 for an app, get out there and code it yourself because you'll be able to

Have faith guys!

 

[jmadlena]

I was mulling over how Apple would handle the distribution of apps, and I don't think Apple will totally cut off free apps from being on iTunes.

This is just a thought, but I think it could work. I think Apple might have 2 or 3 SDKs. One free, low level SDK for free apps and apps that don't need any serious access to the system. That way any old dude could write one without disrupting critical operations. And they would be allowed to price it however they want. And distribution would be podcast style. Just a directory of apps that are submitted to iTunes.

And another higher level SDK that costs money, but allows for greater/total access to the OS and all the important stuff. Apple would regulate which apps go on iTunes and validate them with a signature so I know it won't mess up my phone.

So two, possibly three SDKs. A free one for smaller apps that won't mess up my phone, and one that cost money but allows for complete access and greater control.

Thoughts?

 

[apple101]

would their be any software for the release date of the SDK? Any body know?

 

[Rhosfelt]

Thats assuming Apple doesn't force an update before-hand which completely stops jail-breaking. After all, Apple won't want anyone using un-official methods once the SDK is out. I see Apple putting an end to this jail-breaking lark, once and for all, and pretty soon.

R-Fly

Yep, version 1.2 coupled with iTunes 7.7

Mine too. I highly highly doubt they're going to allow full access to everything.

It would be amazing if they did though, but I doubt it.

Skype?
iChat?
Different Music App?
Streaming Music App?
Competiting Music Store App?

There's no way they'd allow these.

They allow those, no VoIP, but regular skype yes.

We all know it will be closed - that's Apple's bread & butter.
Apple will control who distributes what, via iTunes.
I seriously doubt Joe Developer can write an app and distribute it from their joe_developer.com site.
Apple has worked too hard, for too long, to open their toy box all the way.
And, while unpopular in many circles, I think that is smart.

completely agree.

Maybe it's just me, but from the way i read it, it sounds like the SDK won't be ready then. Doesn't roadmap mean they're planning to add additional features and eventually release the SDK rather than it being immediately available. It seems like it will be an announcement of what to expect, like when the iphone was first announced.

Also perhaps this is a minor detail but it didn't mention the ipod touch. Perhaps, even if it's just initially, the enterprise features and ability to add apps will be only for the iphone. They did it before, choosing not to release mail and some of the other apps. I'm hoping they learned their lesson, but you never know.

I don't think to my knowledge Apple has ever said "yes SDK will be coming" then hold a big show with invitations to just say "here is what it will be like, coming soon!"

That is a total wanker move.

 

[jmadlena]

March 6th.

Mattox FTW!

 

[xwk88]

Thats assuming Apple doesn't force an update before-hand which completely stops jail-breaking. After all, Apple won't want anyone using un-official methods once the SDK is out. I see Apple putting an end to this jail-breaking lark, once and for all, and pretty soon.

R-Fly

and then some one will just break it again or you think apple will make it unbreakable they'll have a hard time ending the "jail-breaking lark" the hakers will always find another way to get in.....it more of how long it will take rather than if it will break......IMO

 

[donaldj]

I'm liking this podcast-style release.

It allows for semi-regulated apps (so there arent any security issues), while still allowing a lot of freedom for developers. Price could be free... or whatever the developer feels like charging (a cut, of course would go to Apple). Its fairly simple to implement, as they already have the podcast system to work off of.

Thoughts?