iPhone to get software development kit at WWDC?

The iPhone's critics have focused on a handful of issues that could serve to to derail its would-be path to retail dominance; of those, the lack of a removable battery, 3G radio, and support for third-party apps are frequently cited as the top three (presented in no particular order). We may be waiting for round two to get either of the first two niggles resolved -- but contrary to initial reports, it seems that independent devs may end up getting a crack at the first model after all as Jobs had suggested at D. The New York Times is citing "a person briefed on Apple's plans" as saying that WWDC will see the introduction of a software development kit that allows folks to convert small Mac apps to run on the iPhone, seemingly making good on Apple's claim that the handset runs OS X. So who's ready to take the plunge if -- and only if -- this announcement pans out?

[Darnell @ Jun 4th 2007 1:08PM]

Plundge? I'm already in too deep. The iPhone will be mine. And I may write a review. Ha.

[natef @ Jun 4th 2007 1:20PM]

not me

[Steve @ Jun 4th 2007 1:21PM]

Locked into Verizon for another year so.....No.

Gives Apple a year to shake out the bugs if nothing else.

[Kevo @ Jun 4th 2007 1:28PM]

Sigh... how long do you think the campout will be? I hope that individual stores will be able to confirm that they are getting them. I resisted buying a new phone since January in anticipation of this thing, so I will not be denied.

3rd party dev is great, although the lack of 3G, GPS and MS Exchange support(?) is a real bummer.

[brad @ Jun 4th 2007 1:33PM]

something i thought of is does any one know if there is a hard reset button built in? Id hate to see this thing lock and you be forced to wait until the battery dies

[Justin @ Jun 4th 2007 1:42PM]

The only way I'm buying an iphone is if they make sling player mobile for it!!

[Marshall @ Jun 4th 2007 1:56PM]

I highly doubt SlingMedia will release a version of SlingPlayer for the iPhone until it supports 3G (EDGE just isn't enough bandwidth for streaming video)

[Matt @ Jun 28th 2007 1:53PM]

Wi-Fi too slow for you?

[todd @ Jun 4th 2007 1:47PM]

Is anyone else beginning to think that the "iPhone hand" is the most famous hand of the decade? I mean, we've all seen his hand holding the iPhone five million times but have never seen the face. Some regular ol' Costanza stuff going on there.

[andres @ Jun 4th 2007 2:25PM]

..can you not recognize it? this disembodied hand was first made famous by playing the "thing" on The Adams Family

[Bryan T @ Jun 4th 2007 1:57PM]

How would one go about putting this software on the phone?
If it is true, are we supposed to put the apps on through wifi? Bluetooth? I mean, you can't attach it through ethernet (which almost seems like it is outdated).

And last, do you think these apps would be free? And Justin, I would love to see Sling as well, but if you look at the Cingular (excuse me AT&T) contract, you will see that streaming video is prohibitied (not that that would stop people from using it).

I guess, to sum up, if this is true, do you guys think we will see free apps? Or apps that cost money, or a combination?

[zoara @ Jun 5th 2007 11:52AM]

Bryan:

"How would one go about putting this software on the phone?"

Probably the same way one puts games on the iPod...

[blake @ Jun 4th 2007 2:02PM]

Well i just called my local AT&T store and found out that they most likely wont have more then four at launch, they expect people to sleep outside of the store for days ahead of launch, and they will not be insuring the iPhone. Also they said it will not cost money to switch from your current phone(i have a LG CU500) to the iPhone. No pre orders, and they are not sure if they will have any on display or not.

[Bart Lee @ Jun 4th 2007 2:03PM]

@ Marshall:

True, but the wifi connection would work great.

@ Bryan T:

The apps will most likely be installed via iTunes, similar to how games are loaded onto an iPod.

[Kaizen Maven @ Jun 4th 2007 2:07PM]

Yes! Who is the "hand behind the phone"???

[Christopher Marty @ Jun 4th 2007 2:13PM]

Exciting though this tidbit may be, I have to say that the most unequivocally amazing thing to come from the NYT article is this comment:

"As a Senior Citizen & World War II Veteran I would
buy one if the Company supplied a Tutorial Disk
similar to instructions by the Video Prof.

— Posted by Vincent T. Oliver"

It's free, the risk is free...try my product!

[Lou @ Jun 4th 2007 2:16PM]

I'm lucky enough to live two blocks from and Apple store. I'll let ya know if I see lines heading up to may front door.

[Steve @ Jun 4th 2007 2:21PM]

Bryan T:
"And last, do you think these apps would be free?"
Have you ever met Jobs?? He doesn't know the word FREE!!!!

[Rick @ Jun 4th 2007 2:28PM]

Bugs? Give it three weeks.

[macona @ Jun 4th 2007 2:36PM]

Where does it say that the batter will not be replaceable? I mean you need to be able to put the sim card in so it can be totally sealed.

[carlos @ Jun 4th 2007 2:48PM]

The SIM card inserts in a small slot at the top fo the phone.

[carlos @ Jun 4th 2007 2:39PM]

I waited to replace my cell phone since December to get an iPhone. I feel the price is reasonable. 3rd party apps I could careless about. I would rather have all application go through an Apple certification process to make sure it will not crash the phone. Just like made for iPod software and hardware, I'd like to see made for iPhone.

[Scott Hitchins @ Jun 4th 2007 2:41PM]

Absolutely, yes, even if it means having to buy another iPhone when rev b comes out and resolves the battery and 3g issues. AT&T outlined the plan requirement for me this morning: standard phone service @ $69.99, PDA service @ $39.99 and text service at $9.99, making the service nut a hefty $120.00 per month. Steep. But, the rep told me that there MAY be a discounted price for those with existing service and eligible for plan/equipment upgrade. So, we'll see.

[carlos @ Jun 4th 2007 2:57PM]

Scott Hitchins:

The prices you listed does that include unlimited data?

[King Emperor @ Jun 4th 2007 5:23PM]

Ok, those numbers are completely made up. If you have a source, please prove me wrong. Many websites and people have pegged the unlimited Data and text with 450 amounts of minutes at about $80/month. Think about it:

$40-standard 450 minute plan
$45-unlimited (PDA) Data plus unlimited M2M texting (1500 outside of AT&T)
--------
Total: $85

[Scott Hitchins @ Jun 4th 2007 7:26PM]

From what I understand the $39.99 data plan is unlimited, and the $9.99 text service is unlimited, but there is a $4.99 limited text package (200 txts/mo.) The $69.99 is what I currently carry with my business plan and I won't change it to the basic, because I know I burn thru 1000+ min. per month. But yes, you could conceivably get all three basic level plans for $85.00/mo. total, but you'd be pretty hemmed in with those quantities and then get whacked with overages every month. My source was a business services agent at AT&T, whose service I have had since it was LA Cellular back in the 90's. They're usually pretty right on with their info.

[Ricardo @ Jun 4th 2007 2:48PM]

All ready to take the plunge...I have already saved the money, I was thinking about getting a GPS with MP3 and video playback, but with the SDK, I might as well get the iPhone and concot a GPS adapter for it and my own software!!

[rylan @ Jun 4th 2007 3:47PM]

I bet it's the out-of-work Office Depot hand.

[Eriq @ Jun 4th 2007 5:04PM]

It's a fake hand.

[craig @ Jun 4th 2007 6:59PM]

Wow, your numbers suck too. I pay $20 for unlimited text and data with no restrictions on who I text with. I'm sure iPhone customers will love $85/month for 450 minutes though. Gotta a pay for the revolution, right?

[Scott Hitchins @ Jun 4th 2007 7:32PM]

yes indeed they do suck! early adopters usually pay, one way or another. I can use the business write-off, though, so the pain is temporary, and offset by the sheer, satisfying release of product lust! Mmmm I love me some of that Jon Ives goodness!

[dave @ Jun 4th 2007 7:25PM]

please make this true so I can have a touch screen version of my delicious library (by delicious monster). That. Would. Kick. Ass.

[Bob Aman @ Jun 5th 2007 1:58AM]

I've been fairly keen on getting one, but I have two worries: First, lack of third party software support, and second, brittleness, since I often go snowboarding with a cellphone in my pocket... I'd be willing to overlook the second issue if they really do allow third-party support. Worst case, I suppose just don't have a cellphone on the mountain. Otherwise, I'm headed for the Nokia camp.

[Michael @ Jun 5th 2007 2:44AM]

People complained about the lack of removeable battery in the ipod. And remind me again how well thats doing?