Rumours of SDK continue to grow

With Apple expected to announce the iPhone SDK this Thursday, speculation mounts.

According to insiders (as per usual), the following is "known" about the Kit:

• The iTunes Store will be used for browsing, purchasing, and installing applications.
• Apple will pre-approve all applications before putting them on general release.
• The dock connector will not initially be available to develop for. In other words, no linking up of other unapproved hardware.
• The 6th March SDK release will be in beta version, with a full version arriving at WWDC '08 in June.

Now, let's be realistic: most everyday iPhone users -- who haven't jailbroken their iPhone and are quite happy with how it performs out of the box -- will be fine with installing additional, "safe" applications via the tried and tested iTunes Store.

It's only the real hackers, who may still be unhappy at this vetting procedure, who might choose to hold on to the jailbreaking system.

Alternatively, as the SDK will have to be made available to developers, and presumably as applications in development will need to be tested before being submitted to iTunes, you can be confident that hackers will find a way to install third-party applications without requiring iTunes.

If these initial conditions are true, there's nothing to stop Apple opening up the iPhone further over time. They're obviously keen to preserve a level of security and stability, which would be much harder to achieve in open season.

(Via Ars Technica)

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