Is there something less expensive to compare?
I've been playing around with Xcode and the iPhone SDK for the last 6-7 months. Currently taking a course on basic iPhone programming at a local school.
I'm paying for the conference out of my own pocket. Looking for opportunities to further my learning experience in iOS programming.
If you plan on registering early and Boston is a better location for you than the Bay Area go for it, otherwise, I'd personally try to go to WWDC instead.
B
I would not recommend WWDC just for learning iOS development. You can get pretty much all of the beginner technical information you would get by attending WWDC from the free session videos. Attending the actual conference is more useful for networking purposes or finding answers to specific (advanced) coding questions.
Did you take a look at the conference ctyhntr is considering? I'd characterize it similarly. Most of the sessions and workshops are focused on more advanced topics.
Everyone learns things differently, ctyhntr may not be able to absorb the free session videos or the Stanford iTunes U course or .... as well as he does in a dedicated environment like a conference.
All I'm saying is that if you think a develepment conference might be the right thing for you, and are willing to spend $1500 on it, consider 5 days at WWDC over 3 days at iphonedevconf.
B