So Apple has finally lifted the curtain on the long-awaited iPhone SDK.
Here is a quick rundown of the main features:
- the SDK is basically Xcode, with special stuff for the iPhone...
- there will be a $99 fee for developper, who will receive an authentication key
- the developpers choose the price of their apps, and keep 70% of the revenue (no credit card charges, no hosting fees)
- developpers can choose to release their app for free at no charge on Apple's side
- the apps will work on the iPhone and iPod touch
- the apps will be distributed via the AppStore, accessible on the iPhone or in iTunes
- apps updates will be automatically distributed through the AppStore
- demos of apps (developped in a week or two) were shown: a motion-sensitive space shooter, EA's Spore (!), a medical app...
- For the business-oriented people, the iPhone (and the touch) will get push e-mail, push contacts and push calendars, using Exchange's ActiveSync, as well as remote swipe of the phone's content
- Apple will provide large companies with a way to deploy apps on their corporate iPhone fleet
Well, that's a lot of features, we'll have more for you later.
Oh yes, the whole stuff will be available on your iPhone/iPod touch in early June, along with the 2.0 version of the iPhone OS.
Head over to the blog for some more personal analysis and reactions on today's announcements.