Dueling bloggers on the AWOL iPhone SDK

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The missing killer iPhone app is iTunes. I would love to see someone hack that up.

A lot of the pressure probably comes from AT&T and other carriers who want to keep the system closed to prevent 3rd parties from making very profitable applications, while they can develop their own profitable applications.

Apple doesn't care if bedroom hackers are developing for the iPhone with their own SDK, but when a 3rd party starts trying to build a commercial application, they can smack them down with the DMCA. Which, as far as I know, has no clauses requiring a company to constantly protect their product. (Like copyrights, for instance.)

If this is the case we may never see an SDK, but Apple won't try to stop third parties unless they attempt to distribute commercial applications.

"Let me just say that I can tell you have no knowledge of what is really going on here."

I do know that it's voiding my warranty and, for me, that's all I need to know :) Plus, I don't have to worry before downloading any updates wondering if it will affect any of the apps I've come to depend on.

My wild-*ss guess is that Apple's agreement with AT&T has a lot to do with it. With an SDK:

* You can kill the lucrative SMS text messaging market (which is why I predict that we won't see an iChat application for a LONG time, if ever).

* You can kill the lucrative ringtone market (yeah, many people really are willing to pay, sigh).

* You potentially reduce AT&T's revenue if you allow VOIP.

It's not about choice and flexibility. I think it's all about the contract between Apple and AT&T.

I believe Apple will release a propoer SDK - after the iPhone has gained market acceptance. Apple still has to deal with the carriers and as a new start, if he does not play nice and protect the revenue stream he could easily be shut out of the market.

When the iPhone has become an indispensable device and a large user population is out there then Apple has the clout to issue an SDK without the carriers being able to retaliate. At that point tools such as VOIP, IM and other services can be delivered without the carriers being able to stifle the innovation.

I think anyone who has ever used a Windows Mobile phone knows exactly why there is no SDK. Once you start installing apps, they start grinding to a halt. For me the biggest selling point to the iPhone is that it actually works pretty much as advertised. A Windows Mobile device, however, quickly becomes a frustration and Apple cannot have that happen.

I think an SDK is needed to fully unleash the iPhone's capabilities. You should check out iPhailure.com for some good alternative views on the iPhone

@all

You're all right!
But i can understand Apple's and Steve's point as well. The iPhone MAY NOT have bad press!
Imagine the "one" app that crashes and destroys everything - calling super surcharge phone services in the backround, sending thousands of SMS in backround and so on!
As far as i understand there is no "user-level" on the iPhone - all tasks are running with root permissions?
I exspect the SDK to appear with 1.1 or higher firmware (can we call that firmware!) when SDK generated applications are run a unix user level.
On my RAZR the java apps (Google Maps, Opera Browser) are OS forced to ask me if they may connect.
Al this is currently missing on the iPhone so no SDK - yet!.

When the FIC Neo1973 by openmoko (www.openmoko.com) sells commercially later this year, you'll have a fully open linux OS on an unlocked GSM phone sold outside of any provider. This won't be the first phone like it, either. The point being, this horse has already left the barn, trotted around, and sired his own herd.

Whatever Apple's or AT&T's actual reasons are, "network security" isn't one of them.