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iPhone 2.0, iPhone SDK, and iPhone Apps Frequently Asked Questions

Thursday March 6, 2008 4:55 pm PST by Arnold Kim
It seems the same questions are coming up again and again, so here's an attempt to clarify some points.

What is iPhone Firmware 2.0? When can I get Applications/Enterprise Features?

iPhone 2.0 firmware is the next software update for the iPhone. It will include Enterprise features and support for the iPhone SDK and iPhone applications.

Regular customers will be able to download the iPhone Firmware 2.0 in "late June". Customers will also be able to start buying iPhone applications from the iTunes Store starting then. So for the next 4 months, your iPhone will stay pretty much the same as it did yesterday.What is the SDK? Should I download it?

SDK = Software Development Kit. Unless you are a developer or have a desire to become one, there is really no reason for you to download the SDK. It is a set of tools for developers to write software for the iPhone.

But can I download the SDK and get iPhone Firmware 2.0?

No. The free SDK from Apple provides tools to write applications and run them in an iPhone Simulator - which is a Mac OS X application which looks and acts like the iPhone on your Mac.

There is a beta program for Enterprise customers and some select developers will be chosen to test their applications on the iPhone 2.0 firmware. If you qualify for any of these programs, then you may be able to get the iPhone 2.0 firmware ahead of time. If not, then you have to wait until June.

How much will iPhone applications cost?

The individual developers set the price on the iPhone applications to be sold through the iTunes Store, so they may be any price, and they can also be Free.

I want to write an iPhone application, how much will it cost me?

The SDK is free to download from Apple. With the SDK, you can learn how to write iPhone applications and also test them in the iPhone Simulator.

If, however, at any point you wish to distribute your application to others or even install it onto your own phone, you will need to pay $99/year to become a registered iPhone developer with Apple. Once you do this, you will be able to install your iPhone application on your iPhone and/or distribute your application to the iTunes Store, pending Apple's approval.

The $99/year developer program is initially only available to a limited number of developers. If you are lucky enough to get chosen, you get the following benefits:

- 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 developer program will be presumably opened up to more people closer to June.

But can I download the SDK and install my own Applications on my iPhone?

No. The free SDK only lets you run applications in the iPhone Simulator. To install your application on your iPhone, you need to be a $99/year developer.
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iTeen
Posted: 55 months ago
so what is anyones guess on how much the apps will cost for the ipod touch?
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arn
Posted: 55 months ago

so what is anyones guess on how much the apps will cost for the ipod touch?


you mean iPhone 2.0 firmware? The iTunes Store apps will cost the same, of course, as it does for the iPhone.

I'd guess $20 for the 2.0 firmware, just like the previous one.

arn
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Telp
Posted: 55 months ago
Any word on bluetooth? Anyway to beef that up?
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overanalyzer
Posted: 55 months ago

you mean iPhone 2.0 firmware? The iTunes Store apps will cost the same, of course, as it does for the iPhone.

I'd guess $20 for the 2.0 firmware, just like the previous one.

arn


It is a huge release, so I can see them doing $20, but at the same time I feel like it'd be in Apple's interest to get as many people to upgrade as possible...maybe they'd go with the $1.99 that they did for the 802.11n upgrade to encourage adoption amongst existing iPod Touch users?
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Telp
Posted: 55 months ago

It is a huge release, so I can see them doing $20, but at the same time I feel like it'd be in Apple's interest to get as many people to upgrade as possible...maybe they'd go with the $1.99 that they did for the 802.11n upgrade to encourage adoption amongst existing iPod Touch users?


I agree. 20$ for 5 apps, a bit much but not outrageous. $20 for a software update seems a bit much. No more than $5 i would hope, and hopefully less.
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ChrisA
Posted: 55 months ago

so what is anyones guess on how much the apps will cost for the ipod touch?


Do you mean the 2.0 firmware upgrade from Apple. My guess is "cheap". Just some nominal amount like $1.99 or $5.

Or do you mean what will you have to pay for application that are sold on iTunes after y've upgraded to the 2.0 firmware. My guess is there will be many free ones and many price like current shareware (from $5 to $50) and there will be a very few quite expensive ones
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overanalyzer
Posted: 55 months ago

I agree. 20$ for 5 apps, a bit much but not outrageous. $20 for a software update seems a bit much. No more than $5 i would hope, and hopefully less.


The other thing too is that the iPhone/iPod Touch is going to be a long-term evolving platform, and potentially the kind of thing that 20 years from now we will credit with the same kind of revolution in computing that we credit the first Apple, IBM and Mac for. Clearly they can't keep charging $20 every single time there's a major firmware update to improve the platform...imagine if every OS X point release were $20.
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Telp
Posted: 55 months ago

The other thing too is that the iPhone/iPod Touch is going to be a long-term evolving platform, and potentially the kind of thing that 20 years from now we will credit with the same kind of revolution in computing that we credit the first Apple, IBM and Mac for. Clearly they can't keep charging $20 every single time there's a major firmware update to improve the platform...imagine if every OS X point release were $20.


I'm pretty sure i read somewhere that Apple (companies in general) had to charge since they arent on a paid subscription. Since the iphone is a monthly fee, that money goes towards the "free" upgrade. They do that with the Mac, each major increment you must pay for, while the minor ones are free.
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mekopolis
Posted: 55 months ago
my guess is $20 because a) it increases shareholder wealth, the purpose of apple and its business
b) because any new purchase of a touch will already have the update post late june just like the january update
c) Apple prob. believes that most, if not all (exluding a few who will remain jailbroken) will opt to particpate in the new App Store..and $20 is worth it
d) you have 4 months to count and save your pennies
e) they can do whatever they want -->refer to c).
f) if you want to make your money back, buy shares of stock in the company, and when you sell, deduct your capital gains tax, and wholla, you have your money back
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rckstwrz
Posted: 55 months ago
i wonder if 2.0 will get leaked... but i guess even if it did, it's not like you'd have all these sweet 3rd party apps to drop on it...
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