Apple Announces iPhone 2.0 Software Beta

[aryayush]

iPhone images
Leading Developers, Enterprise Customers & Partners Applaud iPhone 2.0 Software

Apple Announces iPhone 2.0 Software Beta

Includes SDK & Built-in Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync

CUPERTINO, California—March 6, 2008—Apple® today previewed its iPhone™ 2.0 software, scheduled for release this June, and announced the immediate availability of a beta release of the software to selected developers and enterprise customers. The iPhone 2.0 beta release includes both the iPhone Software Development Kit (SDK) as well as new enterprise features such as support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync to provide secure, over-the-air push email, contacts and calendars as well as remote wipe, and the addition of Cisco IPsec VPN for encrypted access to private corporate networks.

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“We’re excited about creating a vibrant third party developer community with potentially thousands of native applications for iPhone and iPod touch,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “iPhone’s enterprise features combined with its revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface and advanced software architecture provide the best user experience and the most advanced software platform ever for a mobile device.”

The iPhone SDK provides developers with a rich set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and tools to create innovative applications for iPhone and iPod® touch. Starting today, anyone can download the beta iPhone SDK for free and run the iPhone Simulator on their Mac®. Apple today also introduced its new iPhone Developer Program, giving developers everything they need to create native applications, and the new App Store, a breakthrough way for developers to wirelessly deliver their applications to iPhone and iPod touch users.

With the iPhone SDK, third party developers will be able to build native applications for the iPhone with a rich set of APIs, including programming interfaces for Core OS, Core Services, Media and Cocoa Touch technologies. The iPhone SDK will allow developers to create amazing applications that leverage the iPhone’s groundbreaking Multi-Touch™ user interface, animation technology, large storage, built-in three-axis accelerometer and geographical location technology to deliver truly innovative mobile applications.

Apple has licensed Exchange ActiveSync from Microsoft and is building it right into the iPhone, so that iPhone will connect out-of-the-box to Microsoft Exchange Servers 2003 and 2007 for secure over-the-air push email, contacts, calendars and global address lists. Built-in Exchange ActiveSync support also enables security features such as remote wipe, password policies and auto-discovery. The iPhone 2.0 software supports Cisco IPsec VPN to ensure the highest level of IP-based encryption available for transmission of sensitive corporate data, as well as the ability to authenticate using digital certificates or password-based, multi-factor authentication. The addition of WPA2 Enterprise with 802.1x authentication enables enterprise customers to deploy iPhone and iPod touch with the latest standards for protection of Wi-Fi networks.

The iPhone 2.0 software provides a configuration utility that allows IT administrators to easily and quickly set up many iPhones, including password policies, VPN setting, installing certificates, email server settings and more. Once the configuration is defined it can be easily and securely delivered via web link or email to the user. To install, all the user has to do is authenticate with a user ID or password, download the configuration and tap install. Once installed, the user will have access to all their corporate IT services.

The iPhone 2.0 software release will contain the App Store, a new application that lets users browse, search, purchase and wirelessly download third party applications directly onto their iPhone or iPod touch. The App Store enables developers to reach every iPhone and iPod touch user. Developers set the price for their applications—including free—and retain 70 percent of all sales revenues. Users can download free applications at no charge to either the user or developer, or purchase priced applications with just one click. Enterprise customers will be able to create a secure, private page on the App Store accessible only by their employees. Apple will cover all credit card, web hosting, infrastructure and DRM costs associated with offering applications on the App Store. Third party iPhone and iPod touch applications must be approved by Apple and will be available exclusively through the App Store.

The iPhone SDK provides a reliable, fast and secure way to create innovative applications for the iPhone and iPod touch. In addition to the rich set of iPhone OS APIs, the iPhone SDK also provides advanced tools for creating native iPhone and iPod touch applications including: Xcode® for source code editing, project management and graphical debugging; Interface Builder with drag and drop interface creation and live preview; Instruments to monitor and optimize iPhone application performance in real time; and the iPhone Simulator to run and debug applications.

During the beta iPhone SDK program, a limited number of developers will be accepted into Apple’s new iPhone Developer Program and offered the ability to get code onto iPhones for testing. The Standard Program costs $99 (US) per year and gives members an iPhone SDK and development tools; access to pre-release iPhone software; technical support; the ability to get code onto iPhones for testing; and distribution of applications via the new App Store. The Enterprise Program costs $299 (US) per year.

In addition to these new iPhone network and security features, the beta iPhone 2.0 software provides several new Mail features such as the ability to view PowerPoint attachments, in addition to Word and Excel, as well as the ability to mass delete and move email messages.

Pricing & Availability
Apple plans to release the final iPhone 2.0 software, including the iPhone SDK and new enterprise features, as a free software update for all iPhone customers by the end of June. Third party applications created for the iPhone will also run on the iPod touch, and iPod touch users will be required to purchase a software update to run these applications. The free beta iPhone SDK is available immediately worldwide and can be downloaded at developer.apple.com/iphone/program. The iPhone Developer Program will initially be available in the US and will expand to other countries in the coming months. Apple is accepting applications beginning today from enterprise customers who would like to join the private iPhone Enterprise Beta Program (www.apple.com/iphone/enterprise).

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.

[Via Apple]


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Here are a few articles that I suggest you guys read:


Can't help falling in love

It's the Software, Stupid

Why Apple Will Dominate Next Gen Computing

SHIFT: Can the iPhone be everything to everyone?

Phone OS 2.0 will include Bonjour, full-screen Safari mode, more


Enjoy.

 

[utsav]

iphone aaya nehi aur software ka version 2 aa gaya. wtf?

 

[aryayush]

The iPhone was released on 29 June 2007.

The only thing I didn't like about this whole SDK thing is that developers will have to pay a recurring annual fee of $99 to Apple. That sucks. This basically means that there will hardly be any free applications, if at all.

Apart from that, the SDK rocks, the distribution method is awesome, the applications are superb... everything is just brilliant.

 

[goobimama]

I have a strange feeling we boys in India are going to be left out of the whole loop.

Ah. I also have another strange but nice feeling that the certificate thing will be cracked by smart-boys

 

[MetalheadGautham]

The iPhone was released on 29 June 2007.

no. its yet to be released.

PS: I assume you are an Indian

 

[Pathik]

Wont apple allow personal single certs for testing like Symbian?

 

[ajayritik]

Can I get an iPhone from US and have it unlocked so that I can use a local service provider connection here? I have heard a lot about this on the net!

 

[sachin_kothari]

^^ u can, but i suppose that's not legal.

 

[cooldudie3]

when will the iphone come to asia? Many ppl have been waiting

 

[ray|raven]

You can expect a post from arya the moment something like that gets close to even happening.

P.S : No offence meant

 

[aryayush]

I have a strange feeling we boys in India are going to be left out of the whole loop.

I don't. I'm pretty sure that the Apple Online Store and the iTunes Store will come to India along with the iPhone. Maybe even an Apple Retail Store in Bangalore...

Ah. I also have another strange but nice feeling that the certificate thing will be cracked by smart-boys

No. Chance.

Can I get an iPhone from US and have it unlocked so that I can use a local service provider connection here? I have heard a lot about this on the net!

Yes, and it is pretty easy to unlock it too. And it is legal.

 

[MetalheadGautham]

I don't. I'm pretty sure that the Apple Online Store and the iTunes Store will come to India along with the iPhone. Maybe even an Apple Retail Store in Bangalore...

No. Chance.

Yes, and it is pretty easy to unlock it too. And it is legal.

1. I too love dreaming.

2. Impossible is nothing, atleast for hackers.

3. Yup.

 

[aryayush]

They haven't even been able to break the bindings of the iPod games yet. What makes you think they'll be any more successful with the iPhone applications?

 

[drgrudge]

Let's look into iPhone features:

1. WiFi (are you ****ing with me? We still have low speed - high cost wired connection)
2. iTunes Store (Again useless in India)
3. New features like (Remote wipe, WPA2 / 802.1x, Push contacts, etc is going to useless here)
4. Good that they didn't mention 3G. Let iPhone come with 4G, and we can use 3G in India at that point of time.

I think it's a 50-50 chance for them to 'crack' the apps and stuffs like that. But keeping my fingers crossed that it does get cracked.

 

[SpamBoyVtek]

I think it's a 50-50 chance for them to 'crack' the apps and stuffs like that. But keeping my fingers crossed that it does get cracked.

Correctly Said..

 

[goobimama]

1. Three out of five of my favourite hang out places have wifi enabled. Both of my offices are wifi enabled. A lot of my friends are wifi enabled. My home will soon be wifi enabled (praying). Low cost broadband is available to many people. They just haven't felt the need to go wireless nor do they realise how cheap it is to go wireless.

2. iTunes store. Agreed. Indians don't want to pay for music.

4. EDGE is good enough for surfing on the go. I'm quite used to EDGE speeds at home

I'd say the software gets cracked. iPod games are not what you would call high priority. iPhone software on the other hand is a huge challenge and will result in a lot of fame. And there's nothing like a nice challenge to these crackers.

 

[aryayush]

A lot of my friends are wifi enabled.

WOW! That must be quite something. Can I meet them sometime? What other features do these friends have and how much do they cost?

 

[preshit.net]

Just read something on TechCrunch. Sad thing is, Apple say and limits that you can run only one application at any given time. No 3rd party app can run in the background. If you leave the app, it will close

 

[din]

Offtopic ..

A lot of my friends are wifi enabled.

WOW! That must be quite something. Can I meet them sometime? What other features do these friends have and how much do they cost?

LOL Usually goobi make nice n funny comments like this, now its turn for Arya LOL

 

[goobimama]

^^ Well what can I say! He's learning from the best!