Apple just launched the iPhone 3.0 SDK This launch is extremely significant for developers and anyone who is planning to launch applications on the iPhone for business purposes. Noteworthy developments in this launch are:
i) Over 1,000 new APIs, the new SDK version for iPhone provides you with an amazing range of technologies to enhance the functionality of your applications. New APIs also provide support for applications to communicate with hardware accessories attached to iPhone or iPod touch.
ii) Apple enabled the SDK to allow for subscription and native app purchasing - This will allow for a variety of business models on the iPhone to be enabled. With new release, developer can now charge users AFTER they have downloaded an application. "In-App Purchase" will allow developers to sell updates to their applications. This is not enabled for free applications.
iii) Push notification was a big issue on the iPhone. Apple did not enable that due to concern with battery life, but did add Apple Push Notification Service optimized for mobile networks, so that applications like IM can be woken.
iv) The SDK 2.0 was also a hit among the developers while 3.0 extends the Beta 2.0 firmware with various bug fixes and support for the latest iPhone OS.
v) The added core location support in the SDK allow richer LBS (Location-based services) applications. You can now embed maps within your applications using the new kit. It works with the Google Mobile Maps Service and features panning and zooming, custom annotations, current location and geocoding.
vi)Access to user's iPod library directly from the application.
vii)Another new addition to the pack is the peer-to-peer connectivity. This would enable automatic bluetooth discovery without joining a Wi Fi Network or pairing.
For further reading, the following sources have a good overview of the launch and what it means for developers and consumers:
The official announcement from Apple
Apple's iPhone 3.0 SDK Renews Developer Gold Rush
