Original URL: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/03/12/rethinking_the_iphone/
Triple play puts iPhone ahead of Android
SDK, App Store, and the Holy phone
Posted in Developer, 12th March 2008 09:36 GMT
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Make no mistake, Apple's iPhone SDK is a big deal. Finally, developers can get serious about a device stealing the hearts and minds of business and consumer end users.
When I last wrote (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/01/14/mobile_review_iphone/) about the iPhone, I suggested that because there were a sufficient number of unanswered questions about key development parameters, the iPhone should probably be your second platform choice behind Google's Android (http://code.google.com/android/index.html).
With the combination of the SDK, online application marketplace and the phone, I'm no longer certain this is the best decision. Apple has demonstrated it understands end-to-end platform management. Hardware, software, accessories, instruction, distribution and, of course, monetization - lock, stock and two smoking barrels.
There's a decent overview (http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/06/live-from-apples-iphone-press-conference/) of the SDK, released last week, at Endgadget so I won't waste too much ink here. I'll give you the big, moving parts instead.
First some stats: the iPhone has 28 per cent of the smartphone market share compared with primary competitor RIM at 41 per cent, according to Canalys (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/02/06/canalys_q4_07_smartphone_biz/). The iPhone, though, with its superior browsing capability represented 71 per cent of all mobile internet usage in the category.
There are now more than 1,000 web applications that have been developed for the platform. Keep in mind that the iPhone hasn't even been on the market for a year. If nothing else, this is a strong indicator of just how excited developers are about it and how much demand there appears to be for software that runs on Apple's handset.
At the enterprise level, too, demand is high. Apple has committed to providing a whole suite of enterprise services backed by a new architecture specifically for the iPhone and it's licensed Microsoft's ActiveSync to pull it all together seamlessly. The features Apple has pushed out appear to make the iPhone a most capable device for the enterprise - if only it would sort out cut and paste!
The development environment is sure to excite - especially if you like working with Mac development tools. Third-party developers will be able to build native apps using the exact same SDK as Apple developers.
Apple layer cake
There are four development layers: the core operating system, core services, media layer, and Cocoa Touch. There are multiple APIs for each layer providing the developer an exquisite degree of control over virtually every physical aspect of the device - including power management, sound, camera, location awareness and, of course, user interface.
This is complimented by a robust set of tools including a source editor, a remote debugger, an advanced device emulator that runs on your Mac, and there's the added ability to test applications in the real world on your iPhone using either the mobile or a Wi-Fi network.
Most development is done using Apple's xCode that has been updated for the iPhone, although there are also specific tools such as the interface builder that makes it faster and easier to build UI components.
When it comes to selling your application, Apple seems to be a little more generous than outlets like Tucows, Handango, and others. The developer keeps a full 70 per cent of the revenue from each sale and there are no hosting costs, credit card fees, or other nickel and dime charges that erode your profits. Meanwhile, there's no charge to download the SDK. All you have to do is go to the iPhone Dev Center (http://developer.apple.com/iphone/program/) and after a very short, free registration process, you can download the SDK for yourself.
As with all Apple development tools there is a substantial amount of documentation, instructional videos and even some significant technical support available to you should the need arise.
Support program limits
To get the full support, as well as the ability to test the applications you are developing over the cellular network or via Wi-Fi, you'll need to upgrade your free registration.
For individuals wishing to develop free or commercial software applications this is a one-time $99 fee. For enterprises building inhouse (non-public) applications the fee is increased to $299.
Don't waste any time in signing up for this, though. Apple is only going to accept a limited number of beta users to begin with and then only from the US - or so it says.
The best news you're likely to hear about the iPhone SDK is the sales potential. iPhone applications will be made available via the new App Store that presumably will be distributed to iPhones and iPod touch devices during the next firmware upgrade. This will potentially simplify purchase and download of applications for a large number of users.
Based upon the information Apple is circulating, the App Store will be accessible through the Wi-Fi and cellular network, making applications available to users any time they browse the store.
Clearly, Apple has gone to great lengths to make the iPhone an exciting and potentially lucrative market for mobile developers. Apple knows that demand for devices, and their subsequent utilization, will be driven by the availability of a large number of applications spanning everything from the enterprise to education.
It's obvious that Apple also knows the only way to achieve this is to appeal to independent developers. Apple's efforts to make the iPhone platform easy to develop for but utterly comprehensive appears to have been successful.
It's icing on the cake that the App Store and a 70 per cent developer payout puts coders in the position to make more money while writing better applications. To quote more than one engineer I've heard say: "Better platform, more advanced tools and more money? There's nothing wrong with that." ®