iPhone SDK Details, First Look

[MacRumors]

Apple has posted the link for the iPhone SDK download, though Apple's site is presently being overwhelmed by the traffic.

To clarify what the SDK provides and why you might want it. The SDK offers development tools to write applications for the iPhone and iPod Touch. It includes an updated version of Xcode, Apple's development environment, along with an emulator to test your iPhone applications. It does not contain a beta of the iPhone 2.0 firmware, so there should be no reason for the end customer to download it.

The iPhone SDK requires an Intel Mac running Mac OS X 10.5.2 or later.

Apple's license agreement when installing the software, understandably contain specific restrictions on what kind of applications you can create. Most are understandable:

- No unlocking or the ability to distribute applications in a method other than the iTunes Stores
- No obscene, pornographic content, or other materials that may be found objectionable
- Must not excessively use bandwidth or burden network capacity
- Specifically with regard to the carrier's network, you are not allowed to develop Voice over Internet (VOIP) functionality -- though Apple has specifically said that VOIP over Wifi will be allowed.

Article Link

 

[JDawg76]

Hopefully this will lead to getting some REAL games on the iPhone.

 

[jeremy.king]

This was way more than I expected and worth the wait.

 

[amjustice]

WiFi Skype will be SWEET! I already pay the couple bucks a month to get unlimited calls anywhere in the US with Skype, add iPhone support and BOOM!

 

[waronxmas]

Intel Macs only!!???!!! WTH! I'm pretty sure my G4 can still handle coding!

 

[BornAgainMac]

Everything will be just fine by this summer.

 

[MrT8064]

will the emulator work for anyone? or only after we have developed stuff?

 

[njfuzzy]

Does this kit include a working version of the firmware 2.0 beta?

 

[overanalyzer]

Intel Macs only!!???!!! WTH! I'm pretty sure my G4 can still handle coding!

It's probably more the emulator that's at issue.

 

[i.mac]

VoIP is a win-win situation since AT&T will see les use of its network while the end user will use less paid minutes

 

[dr_lha]

Does this kit include a working version of the firmware 2.0 beta?

How about actually reading the post?

 

[overanalyzer]

Does this kit include a working version of the firmware 2.0 beta?

Arn answered this in the article:

It does not contain a beta of the iPhone 2.0 firmware, so there should be no reason for the end customer to download it.

 

[justflie]

Ah man. I really wanted that beta, if for nothing else than to test the 802.1x on campus for my school's IT/helpdesk. grrrr

 

[EngBrian]

I like the idea of wifi calling. Certainly help the minutes. Course have to wait for it to get to Canada anyway. But this just means all the good stuff will be on the phone by the time it gets here.

 

[Krafty]

Cant wait for AIM.

 

[pyramid6]

Does it allow you to load your application on your iPhone?

P6

 

[Island Dog]

Come on lets get those sites up.

 

[Buschmaster]

Does it allow you to load your application on your iPhone?

P6

I'm installing now, so I'm not 100% but I would guess no. If we're lucky we can use the iPhone as a debugger like demonstrated. Since we don't have 2.0, I would guess it's not likely we can use them.

 

[werkedm3]

VoIP is a win-win situation since AT&T will see les use of its network while the end user will use less paid minutes

no..ATT loses, because customers switch to plans with less minutes.

 

[Scott Collard]

Looks like the Interface Builder part isn't quite ready...

http://developer.apple.com/iphone/program/details.html

Interface Builder (Coming Soon)

Future releases of the iPhone SDK will include Interface Builder to make designing a user interface as easy as drag and drop.

 

[waronxmas]

It's probably more the emulator that's at issue.

Hmmm, good point. I suppose I could just bypass the processor check in the installer. Looks like I have a project for this weekend

 

[njfuzzy]

Arn answered this in the article:

I guess I am confused then. Without the 2.0 beta included, what exactly does the on-phone debugger do?

 

[overanalyzer]

Hmmm, good point. I suppose I could just bypass the processor check in the installer. Looks like I have a project for this weekend

But if it turns out the emulator won't run or won't run code correctly, you're kind of SOL until you can deploy code to an iPhone to test in June, no?

 

[Zneo11]

It would be nice if you could plug in your iPhone and control the emulator with it. Nothing needs to show up on the real phone, I just think we need a way to operate the multi-touch.

 

[arn]

I guess I am confused then. Without the 2.0 beta included, what exactly does the on-phone debugger do?

There are "selected" developers who are getting the iPhone 2.0 Beta firmware early

from Apple's PR

"scheduled for release this June, and announced the immediate availability of a beta release of the software to selected developers and enterprise customers. "

During the beta iPhone SDK program, a limited number of developers will be accepted into Apple’s new iPhone Developer Program and offered the ability to get code onto iPhones for testing.

arn