iPhone SDK RoadMap Event Summary

Today Apple introduced us to their SDK and made a bunch of new announcements:

Enterprise Features
Apple is adding iPhone support for: Push email, Push calendar, Push contacts, Global address list, Cisco IPsec VPN, Certificates and Identities, WPA2 / 802.1x, Enforced security policies, Device configuration, Remote wipe

The iPhone will now support Active Sync and Microsoft Exchange.


You apply to the Enterprise Beta Program here

SDK: 4 Layers
Cocoa Touch - Multi-touch events, Multi-touch controls, Acceleromter, View Hierarchy, Localization, Alerts, Web View, People Picker, Image Picker, Camera
Media - Core Audio, OpenAL, Audio Mixing, Audio Recording, Video Playback, JPG, PNG, TIFF, PDS Quartz, Core Animation, Embedded OpenGL
Core Services - Collections, Address Book, Networking, File access, SQLite, Core Location, Net Services Threading, Preferences, URL utilities
Core OS - OS X Kernel, BSD TCP/IP, Sockets, Power Management, Keychain, Certificates, File System, Lib System, Security, Bonjour

SDK: XCode
XCode will be used to code for the iPhone. Itintegrates with iPhone SDK documentation, and also has a nice debugger.

SDK: Interface Builder
Interface Builder is the tool you'll use to build your application interface. It has a complete library of iPhone interface assets, just drag them onto the canvas.


SDK: iPhone Simulator
iPhone Simulator runs on a Mac and simulates the entire API stack on your computer."

SDK: Developer Program
You will be able to download the SDK from Apple's site. You can join the developer program to test your app on the iPhone and iPod touch and distribute your app -- to join the dev program costs $99. Visit developer.apple.com.

Demoed Applications
FX Touch: Choose a picture and distort it using your finger. Just shake to start again!
FX Fighter: A new game where your finger is used to shoot and the accelerometer is used to steer.
Spore: EA introduces an iPhone version of the game, Spore.
SFA: Salesforce.com demoes their SFA application with monthly sales stats.
AIM: AIM for iPhone demoed. Switch between active chats by swiping left and right, status update panel, choose photo from your iPhone to be your AIM buddy pic.
Supermonkey Ball: Sega introduces Supermonkey Ball for iPhone. Of course it uses the accelerometer and features enhanced graphics.

iTunes App Store
iTunes App Store displays featured apps, just added, staff favorites, and most popular apps. You can easily search and download apps over cellular or WiFi.

Apps can be loaded onto the iPhone through iTunes as well. You will be notified of program updates automatically. It will be the EXCLUSIVE way to distribute iPhone applications.

Charge For Distribution
The dev gets 70% of the revenues right off the top, Apple keeps 30% to pay for running the app store. No CC fees or hosting fees or marketing fees for hosting the app, devs get 70% paid monthly.

If it's a free app, there is no charge to have it distributed through iTunes.

iPhone 2.0 Firmware Update
The 2.0 iPhone Firmware will again combine the SDK + the new capabilities, there will be a beta release going out today to thousands of developers. Every iPhone customer will receive the update in June.

iPod touch
Everything will run on the iPod touch as well, including enterprise features but there will be a nominal charge for the touch.

iFund
iFund has been started with $100m. "If you want to build the future, the iFund wants to help you fund it. I can't wait to see the companies we'll build together."