Eventually, this was only a matter of time before Jobs inventive reflexes kicked in again. Apple Inc. has introduced the iPhone Software Development kit, taking this way its first steps toward selling iPhone software. Developers, businesses and consumer-focused parties, now can begin building third party applications. The co. announced the immediate availability of a beta release of the software to selected developers and enterprise customers.
In Cupertino, Calif – for the Apple iPhone for business uses – Appl’s Forstall announced or better he let it drop, saying: “Starting today, we’re opening up the same APIs and tools that we use internally“.
To be iPhone developer, one can download SDK for free. Can run simulator on the Mac. You can join iPhone developer program to run it on iPhone or iPod Touch; get technical support, distribute to iPod and iPhone users. Costs $99 to join developer program.
They also said that the next software update for iPhones will enable them to work with Microsoft Corp.’s Exchange software, which is widely used by businesses to handle and secure e-mail. But what’s really important for developers is that the API will allow them access to the address book, certain databases, and location information to create location-aware apps. along with video and audio capabilities, 3D effects, and an embedded version of OpenGL.
This move put Jobs company in a more direct competition with the likes of RIMM and PALM.
update_ Not a lot of of details yet, but it was announced by John Doerr, partner in KPCB (Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers), the firm will be commiting $100 mln dollars in the iFund for iPhone developers.
