iPhone SDK provides rich access to hardware

Stephen Withers
Friday, 07 March 2008 02:41

IT Industry - Market

The keenly awaited iPhone Software Development Kit has arrived (at least in beta form) and it appears programmers will have sufficient access to hardware and software features to allow the creation of some interesting and useful applications.

APIs are provided for Core OS, Core Services, Media and Cocoa Touch (the iPhone equivalent of Mac OS X's Cocoa), so applications should be able to conform to user expectations regarding the UI, including the use of the multi-touch display, camera and accelerometer.

Software also has access to a range of services including the SQLlite database, location (via triangulation), H.264 video playback and 3D audio.

The SDK is used in conjunction with the Xcode development tools on a Mac, and includes an iPhone simulator, a remote debugger, and an instrumentation system for performance analysis of apps running on a physical iPhone.

Applications demonstrated by Apple at the launch event included a spaceship shooter game, an incomplete version of Electronic Arts' Spore, and Sega's 3D Super Monkey Ball (all using the accelerometer for steering), plus AOL Instant Messenger client, the Epocrates drug information application, and a sample application from Salesforce.com (which plans to port a large number of its business applications to the iPhone).

"I think iPhone consumers are going to be blown away by the games we create for this platform," said John Riccitiello, CEO of Electronic Arts, while Kirk Loevner, chairman and CEO of Epocrates, asserted "The technology and software in the iPhone OS will allow us to create new and innovative applications that help improve patient safety and provide healthcare professionals with an unsurpassed user experience."

Developers will be able to sell their iPhone applications through Apple's forthcoming App Store.