Apple to Release iPhone SDK in February

Posted on October 17, 2007

Apple CEO Steve Jobs has announced that software developers are going to be allowed to make apps for the iPhone. BBC News notes that Apple has been criticized for not letting outside developers make apps for the iPhone in the past.

This follows the hacking of the iPhone by the teenage genius George Hotz that unlocked the iPhone. Then came an Apple iPhone upgrade that bricked unlocked iPhones.

A message on Apple's website from Steve Jobs says an SDK for developers won't be available until February, but they will absolutely have one. Jobs notes the concern of making sure malware won't easily spread on the iPhone. He says it will be a "highly visible target" to criminals who want to develop viruses that can spread on the iPhone. He will get no argument from anyone with that statement.

Let me just say it: We want native third party applications on the iPhone, and we plan to have an SDK in developers' hands in February. We are excited about creating a vibrant third party developer community around the iPhone and enabling hundreds of new applications for our users. With our revolutionary multi-touch interface, powerful hardware and advanced software architecture, we believe we have created the best mobile platform ever for developers.
It will take until February to release an SDK because we're trying to do two diametrically opposed things at once-provide an advanced and open platform to developers while at the same time protect iPhone users from viruses, malware, privacy attacks, etc. This is no easy task. Some claim that viruses and malware are not a problem on mobile phones-this is simply not true. There have been serious viruses on other mobile phones already, including some that silently spread from phone to phone over the cell network. As our phones become more powerful, these malicious programs will become more dangerous. And since the iPhone is the most advanced phone ever, it will be a highly visible target.

Cult of Mac points out this video below that shows three impressive iPhone applications created by hacker Erling Ellingsen. These apps show lots can be done with the hot Apple gadgets.

Third party devices should only make the iPhone more popular. Apple would be crazy to miss the opportunity.