Apple announces SDK and enterprise support for iPhone and iPod Touch
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Published:
Week 10
March 2008 -
Image Source:
Apple
News:
Apple will deliver a software update for the iPhone and iPod Touch in “late June” 2008.
The software update will support applications developed using a software development kit (SDK) which is available immediately (March 2008).
Once the new device software is available, applications will be exclusively distributed via iTunes and an on-device “App Store”. Developers will receive 70 percent of the purchase price while Apple will retain 30 percent.
The SDK will allow developers access to a suite of application programming interfaces (APIs) and tools including programming interfaces for Core OS, Core Services, Media, and Cocoa Touch technologies. Other tools include Xcode for source code editing and an iPhone Simulator to run and debug applications for the iPhone and iPod touch. The SDK is available free of charge while access to the standard developer program (which allows developers to sell applications via Apple) will cost $99 per year with the enterprise variant costing $299.
The software update will also add enterprise centric features – notably support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync which Apple has licensed from Microsoft. This allows users direct access to Microsoft Exchange Server (2003 and 2007). Apple will also support Cisco’s IPsec VPN technology, document viewers for leading applications (e.g. Microsoft PowerPoint, Word etc.) and a configuration utility for enterprises to provision VPN settings, password policies, email settings and security certificates.
To support these efforts, Apple also announced that investment company Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield and Byers (KPCB) is launching a $100 million venture capital “iFund” to invest in companies developing applications and services for the iPhone and iPod touch.
