My healthy (sic) obsession with the iPhone continues... Taken from Electronista, November 26th.
Some developers getting early iPhone SDK?
Exclusive Some developers are gaining early access to Apple's iPhone and iPod touch software developer kit, according to reliable sources speaking to Electronista. A handful of companies are said to be getting rough versions of the tools to help code more advanced applications than would be possible with the current web-only solution. Exact details of what the kit allows are unknown, though it is confirmed that it produces native programs and somewhat resembles Google's OpenSocial in that it mediates between the programmer and the iPhone operating system.
Although treated as a welcome development, the SDK will not be the same as writing a Mac OS X application and has its clear limits, people familiar with the matter say. These details are unavailable, though the features are broad enough that at least one major social networking site is reportedly interested what the native platform can offer versus existing web code. The group of companies has only received its development tools within the past two weeks and is allegedly unable to provide a timetable for when finished software will be ready, though it should be well ahead of the community at large, which only receives the SDK in February.
The slip corroborates remarks made by Apple chief Steve Jobs in his open letter announcing the SDK, which emphasized the need for a unique solution to third-party software that balances features with a layer of protection against privacy invasion and security breaches.
I find it interesting that of all of the companies that are interested in developing for the iPhone, this article singles out social networks. It is an obvious market for the social networks, as our generation is becoming increasingly addicted to our virtual online communities. Why not take them on the road with you with uncompromised functionality? I'd love to be able to battle the ninjas when I'm..... well, anywhere.
The thing that really gets me excited about this announcement is that I'm a few steps closer to my dream of combining a 3G iPhone and 3rd party development to gain mobile streaming music. Let's hope that Apple allows enough access to the iPhone features to allow developers to use the technology to it's fullest potential.
That is assuming that the right company/person gets their hands on this SDK and creates the right service...