
Last night, Apple announced that the SDK would be available in June, including an iPhone simulator than runs on Mac devices. A Beta is available now, and some large Enterprise customers will even get access to the new v2 iPhone Beta firmware too. The new firmware brings a number of new, key features for corporate customers:
- Push Email, Calendar and Contacts
- Exchange ActiveSync support
- Cisco IPSec VPN
- Network Authentication (WPA2, 802.1x)
- Security Policies and Enterprise Configuration Tools
- Remote Wipe
Developers will generally be happy with the SDK and the sales model Apple have selected for people buying applications from iTunes or the new App Store option on the iPhone. Basically the developer sets the price the user should pay for the software and Apple will simply take 30% of the revenue as and when it occurs - if the developer sells nothing for months on end, Apple will not charge. Should the developer go one step further and offer the application for free, Apple will not charge anything at all to distribute that application.
Apple have indicated certain types of applications will not be allowed; unlocking tools, illegal items (eg hacking tools, malicious software, pornography).
EA Games, Salesforce.com, and AOL’s AIM were example applications at the launch.
As with the previous enhancement announcement, the new firmware will be provided for free on the iPhone, although there will be a small charge for the same new functions on the iPod Touch.
Some information courtesy of Engadget.