At an Apple SDK event in Cupertino, California, Apple announced it will release its iPhone 2.0 software, including the iPhone Software Development Kit, in June 2008.
Additionally, according to consumer site Kotaku, EA's
Spore and Sega's
Super Monkey Ball, utilizing aspects of the iPhone including the accelerometer, are
anticipated to be playable on iPhone as early as September 2008.
Said EA CEO John Riccitiello, "The animation technology in the iPhone OS enables us to build awesome games. I think iPhone consumers are going to be blown away by the games we create for this platform."
The iPhone SDK
Using the iPhone SDK, “third party developers will be able to build native applications for the iPhone with a rich set of APIs, including programming interfaces for Core OS, Core Services, Media and Cocoa Touch technologies,” leveraging iPhone aspects such as its Multi-Touch user interface, animation technology, storage, three-axis accelerometer and geographical location technology.
The SDK also provides tools for creating native iPhone and iPod Touch applications including: Xcode for source code editing, project management and graphical debugging; Interface Builder with drag and drop interface creation and live preview; Instruments to monitor and optimize iPhone application performance in real time; and the iPhone Simulator to run and debug applications.
Users can now download a beta iPhone SDK for free and run an iPhone Simulator on their Mac. During the beta iPhone SDK program, a limited number of developers will be accepted into Apple’s iPhone Developer Program and offered the ability to get code onto iPhones for testing.
The Standard Program costs $99(US) per year and gives members an iPhone SDK and development tools; access to pre-release iPhone software; technical support; the ability to get code onto iPhones for testing; and distribution of applications via the new App Store. The Enterprise Program costs $299(US) per year.
The App Store
The App Store is a new application, accessible directly from devices or via iTunes on a PC or Mac, that lets users browse, search, purchase and wirelessly download third party applications directly onto their iPhone or iPod Touch. Developers are to be able to set the price for their applications—including free—and retain 70 percent of all sales revenues.
Users can download free applications at no charge to either the user or developer, or purchase priced applications with just one click. Enterprise customers are to also be able to create a secure, private page on the App Store accessible only by their employees.
Apple is to cover all credit card, web hosting, infrastructure and DRM costs associated with offering applications on the App Store. Third party iPhone and iPod touch applications must be approved by Apple and will be available exclusively through the App Store.
The iFund
Apple also announced, in partnership with venture capital firm KPCB, the iFund, a $100 million "investment initiative that will fund market-changing ideas and products that extend the revolutionary new iPhone and iPod touch platform." The fund will be available to all developers, with a focus on location-based services, social networking, commerce, communication and entertainment applications, services, and components.
“We’re excited about creating a vibrant third party developer community with potentially thousands of native applications for iPhone and iPod touch,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “iPhone’s enterprise features combined with its revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface and advanced software architecture provide the best user experience and the most advanced software platform ever for a mobile device.”
