iPhone/iPod SDK - First Take. Well, as expected Apple has announced and release the beta of the iPhone/iPod Touch SDK along with some other news. Here's the breakdown.
1. Exchange support. Already dealt with the issue here but this was important news. While the iPhone was already a business device (if the CEO has one, it's de-facto a business device) this will make it much easier to get this into business users hands. ATT as the network is not the issue, these are personal devices and more often bought by and individual, not a corporation buying a 1,000 at a clip.
2. The SDK. Well, the iPod was already a platform (just look at the hardware eco-system). Now it's a software platform as well, with a large VC funding the eco system. There's a lot of opportunity and because Apple is taking ownership of the purchase system, there's a much better chance mainstream users will actually see the applications and install them. The key to iPhone was always at bringing the advanced functions to the mass market. One problem of the whole mobile apps eco system is that mainstream consumers didn't even know it existed. Apple's efforts will make it front and center and even though it's taking 30% of the fees, the greater visibility and exposure means more app developers will more than make up the additional costs.
Bottom line? This s more than makes up for my issues with the platform (with the exception of 3G and I expect that to come at some point this year as well). Apple has now firmly established their bona fides as an important player in the mobile space and established a good foundation for growing the platform.
All I need now is someone to do a nice version of Tetris. [Michael Gartenberg]
4:12:25 PM 
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