Stig Kristoffersen asked:


iPhone hacks vs Apple SDK kit planned released in short time.

iPhone has a community providing a large range of applications, useless to innovative more useful applications. The Mac operating system and its interface makes it more fun to do development on than the Microsoft handheld PDA’s.

Will this community survive and prosper regardless of Apple’s planned release of iPhone SDK this month?

The iPhone is a perfect example of what a handheld device should have. It has a a nice design, easy-to-use software, and an intuitive interface. Several people found out they needed to make their own software for it, since it lacked some as Apple released it. You will find add-ons made by these people that range from instant access to a Blockbuster Online DVD queue to a pocket guitar that takes advantage of the touch screen technology.People also unlock the iPhone from AT&T or other subscription systems. This will enable the iPhone to work on other operator’s networks.

Al these add-on software’s, are done without Apple’s interference or their technical support. Apple is expected to release a software development kit (SDK) that will allow programmers to write legitimate software for the phone. This kit will be available during February month and will enable developers to make more robust software, and it will let the iPhone users to download new programs without needing to follow online instructions from various blogs. The SDK will likely spawn a new world of applications, will lead to commercial applications for the business sector, that will extend the use of the iPhone beyond its user base of 4 million, as announced in January by Apple.

Today’s iPhone users use the handheld as Apple intended it to be used, by updating the software and installing media via iTunes. By default, the only way to get anything on the iPhone is by using iTunes,
The developer Jerry Jones has made an iPhone widget that accesses a user’s Blockbuster movie queue, as well as a program that lets people adjust the phone’s shortcuts so that a double click of the home key launches different applications than Apple’s default.

If you want to add these kinds of unwarranted files to your iPhone, you must make some technical workarounds and it is not for the in-experienced users.

One of the most popular programs made for hacked iPhones is a game called Labyrinth that lets a user roll a virtual marble through a maze by tilting the phone. The game accesses the built-in accelerometer in the iPhone.

Shinya Kasatani wrote an application that turns the iPhone into a guitar. The application is easy to use for people familiar with a real guitar. The screen of the iPhone is turned into a virtual guitar board on which a person can press and pluck. It’s basically a software-based synthesizer with a guitar user interface.

The developers need the official SDK and programming documentation to build stable applications. When Apple releases its SDK, more applications like this could become available, just as they are on PCs and Macs today.

There is suspition in the developers circles that it’s not going to be a wide open SDK. Programmers might have access to certain layers of the phone’s underlying software, such as the instructions that allow widgets to access the Internet, but Apple may keep the instructions for accessing the accelerometer, for example, under wraps.

The control is essential to ensuring that the iPhone works well for most of the people most of the time. In addition, Apple’s control is important for ensuring software stability and security, which is two important criteria if the phone is to be used in the business setting. Apple wants to make the iPhone somewhat corporate friendly.

You are going to see a lot of focus on pulling developers in to make form-based applications. The kind of applications used in a sales environment, for example. Apple will treat third-party software the same way that it approves iPod accessories: by requiring vendors to register with Apple to acquire a badge noting Apple’s approval. In this way, Apple could maintain some control over the quality of outside applications, which could help make them more secure.

The hacking community will continue to be innovative with the iPhone, regardless of the access the SDK provides to programmers, and the safety precautions available for certified third-party programs.

“Even without the official SDK,” says Kasatani, “it’s much more attractive than Windows Mobile.” The Mac operating system and user interface are more fun to use, he says, and the multi-touch display makes it especially interesting to work with.