Apple Announces iPhone 2.0

[PaSSoA]

With this is place, is there still a need to jailbreak it? Not assuming you want to SIM unlock it, just on a software level with 3rd party apps.

Pros and Cons of having such a SDK? Especially if the only way to buy such apps are through their store and that you have to pay for the SDK.

Source: Apple
Includes SDK & Built-in Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync

CUPERTINO, California—March 6, 2008—Apple® today previewed its iPhone™ 2.0 software, scheduled for release this June, and announced the immediate availability of a beta release of the software to selected developers and enterprise customers. The iPhone 2.0 beta release includes both the iPhone Software Development Kit (SDK) as well as new enterprise features such as support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync to provide secure, over-the-air push email, contacts and calendars as well as remote wipe, and the addition of Cisco IPsec VPN for encrypted access to private corporate networks.

“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.”

The iPhone SDK provides developers with a rich set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and tools to create innovative applications for iPhone and iPod® touch. Starting today, anyone can download the beta iPhone SDK for free and run the iPhone Simulator on their Mac®. Apple today also introduced its new iPhone Developer Program, giving developers everything they need to create native applications, and the new App Store, a breakthrough way for developers to wirelessly deliver their applications to iPhone and iPod touch users.

With 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. The iPhone SDK will allow developers to create amazing applications that leverage the iPhone’s groundbreaking Multi-Touch™ user interface, animation technology, large storage, built-in three-axis accelerometer and geographical location technology to deliver truly innovative mobile applications.

Apple has licensed Exchange ActiveSync from Microsoft and is building it right into the iPhone, so that iPhone will connect out-of-the-box to Microsoft Exchange Servers 2003 and 2007 for secure over-the-air push email, contacts, calendars and global address lists. Built-in Exchange ActiveSync support also enables security features such as remote wipe, password policies and auto-discovery. The iPhone 2.0 software supports Cisco IPsec VPN to ensure the highest level of IP-based encryption available for transmission of sensitive corporate data, as well as the ability to authenticate using digital certificates or password-based, multi-factor authentication. The addition of WPA2 Enterprise with 802.1x authentication enables enterprise customers to deploy iPhone and iPod touch with the latest standards for protection of Wi-Fi networks.

The iPhone 2.0 software provides a configuration utility that allows IT administrators to easily and quickly set up many iPhones, including password policies, VPN setting, installing certificates, email server settings and more. Once the configuration is defined it can be easily and securely delivered via web link or email to the user. To install, all the user has to do is authenticate with a user ID or password, download the configuration and tap install. Once installed, the user will have access to all their corporate IT services.

The iPhone 2.0 software release will contain the App Store, a new application that lets users browse, search, purchase and wirelessly download third party applications directly onto their iPhone or iPod touch. The App Store enables developers to reach every iPhone and iPod touch user. Developers 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 will be able to create a secure, private page on the App Store accessible only by their employees. Apple will 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 iPhone SDK provides a reliable, fast and secure way to create innovative applications for the iPhone and iPod touch. In addition to the rich set of iPhone OS APIs, the iPhone SDK also provides advanced 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.

During the beta iPhone SDK program, a limited number of developers will be accepted into Apple’s new 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.

In addition to these new iPhone network and security features, the beta iPhone 2.0 software provides several new Mail features such as the ability to view PowerPoint attachments, in addition to Word and Excel, as well as the ability to mass delete and move email messages.

Pricing & Availability
Apple plans to release the final iPhone 2.0 software, including the iPhone SDK and new enterprise features, as a free software update for all iPhone customers by the end of June. Third party applications created for the iPhone will also run on the iPod touch, and iPod touch users will be required to purchase a software update to run these applications. The free beta iPhone SDK is available immediately worldwide and can be downloaded at developer.apple.com/iphone/program. The iPhone Developer Program will initially be available in the US and will expand to other countries in the coming months. Apple is accepting applications beginning today from enterprise customers who would like to join the private iPhone Enterprise Beta Program (www.apple.com/iphone/enterprise).

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.

Discuss....

[phuckingduck]

VoIP will be nice. But waiting 4 more months = suck.

[Zuhaib]

Well first the SDK is actually free to play with, only if you wish to load the apps on an iPhone does it cost $99 (enterprise users have to be $299) and that is for the developers. Also its not the first time it costs to produce software for a platform, tho the control apple is demanding is new and might be a bit too much.
As for jailbreak, it will still be needed as again the control apple is placing might limit what software they allow and for the group of hackers that do not want to pay to give their software away.

[klutch]

I don't understand anything that was typed above this.

[phuckingduck]

I don't think the distribution system is going to break the backs of producers. At $99 posting fee, a single $5.00 application needs to be downloaded ~28 times for the producer to make a profit with the 70% royalties. Now consider that the posting fee includes tech support from apple for development and it's not that bad. Add to that that all applications will be in one location (iTunes + App Store), and will be almost equal in apple side promotion and the impetus falls to the developers to get greater market share by developing more solid and useful applications.

I think it's a great setup, especially as a consumer. Rather than having to track down good apps from top 10 lists and forums, I now have a central place to go to for reviews and the applications themselves. The fact that I use one account for TV Shows, Movies, Music, and Applications and only need to go to one store is nice too. I can also be fairly secure in the knowledge that the applications had proper security and stability screening before their release, so my phone wont be bogged down with un-secure app's.

All and all, it seems like a decent deal to me.

[PaSSoA]

Well, it nows seems that iPhone hackers have managed to jailbreak the software even though the SDK is not officially released yet

From the iPhone Dev Team at http://iphone-dev.org/news:pwnage
Pwnage Project

Well, Apple has had their turn, impressive work on SDK! And now it's ours…
What is Pwnage?

Pwnage is based on an exploit found in the lower levels of the iPhone/iTouch bootloader. We can now “pwn” Apple by patching the device to allow unsigned code. This opens the door to unlimited possibilities.

Once your iPhone/iTouch has been “pwned”, you can do things like installing custom made .ipsw files - straight from iTunes!

For a more technical explanation please visit Pwnage page.
iPwner and IPSW Builder

We are going to release two tools as part of Pwnage project.

* iPwner - tool to make your iPhone/iTouch “pwned”. You will have to use this tool just once1).
* IPSW Builder - by using this tool you will be able to modify the .ipsw filesystem, i.e. pre-jailbreak, pre-unlock, pre-activate, and create a complete custom .ipsw installation. In case you are already unlocked you can even tell it to disable the baseband update, just in case. Restore or Update from iTunes with custom .ipsw file and Voila! no more hassles after that.

Both tools are undergoing intensive developing and soon will be ready for public consumption.

Screenshot can be found here Here.

[teeb]

Aww, I was disappointed and thought Apple had got round to announcing iPhone v2, with 3G and a decent camera

Still pretty nifty though.

[Night_Hawk]

Originally Posted by klutch

I don't understand anything that was typed above this.

same here


who else here owns a regular phone?

[The_Finn]

blah... not CDMA and therefore useless

[Wizegui]

Originally Posted by The_Finn

blah... not CDMA and therefore useless

Corrected.

[scathing]

Originally Posted by PaSSoA

With this is place, is there still a need to jailbreak it? Not assuming you want to SIM unlock it, just on a software level with 3rd party apps.

Discuss....

Yes there is.

With Apple as the sole official distributor of iPhone applications, they're applying restrictions on what can be run. So no porn, no VoIP except over WiFi, no useful native Instant Messaging clients, and other things the "Think Different" company doesn't think is appropriate for you to do. Its so ironic that their infamous anti-IBM ad was based on a book whose themes the company now holds close to heart.

And you need to pay for the privilege of being able to develop for it, and you can pay for premium placement so the more money you've got the more likely a customer is to find your product.


All in all, it basically kills homebrew. This attitude almost buried Apple with the Macintosh, but at least Apple has mindshare on its side this time it once again goes Nazi on how customers and developers can use its product.

We'll see what happens when Sony Ericsson's Windows Mobile Experia X1 gets released....and when it comes to PDA/phone mindshare they'll have to compete against this new Crackberry.

[IceBone]

Still no Mass Storage Class? Lame...

[teeb]

Originally Posted by scathing

no VoIP except over WiFi

How else would you VoIP? :/

[scathing]

Originally Posted by teeb

How else would you VoIP? :/

EDGE or some kind of 3G (UMTS or HDSPA) carrier data protocol.

It basically means, if you're on the go, for a voice conversation you have to pay your carrier's voice rates rather than the much cheaper data rates.

The only time you'd be able to run something like Skype is if you're near a wireless LAN that you've got access to.

[IceBone]

I'm sure jailbreaking will fix that. I just hope it would fix the Mass Storage Class too...

[hajj]

Originally Posted by IceBone

I'm sure jailbreaking will fix that. I just hope it would fix the Mass Storage Class too...

sftp isnt enough for you? I don't think there is much of a speed difference.

[IceBone]

It's about convenience and apple trying to take that convenience away by forcing propriatery software.

[scathing]

Originally Posted by IceBone

I'm sure jailbreaking will fix that. I just hope it would fix the Mass Storage Class too...

Well, the question I was replying to was "is there a point in jailbreaking with the SDK being released?"

I think we can both agree that the answer is a resounding "yes".

[PaSSoA]

Hehe.... now that's settled, we just need to wait for a 3G version but I'm also looking forward to the new Xeperia X1 you pointed out, looks pretty good