Apple Announces SDK – And it doesn’t suck

Apple just announced the release of the iPhone SDK, and the good news is it isn’t anywhere near as lame as I thought it was going to be.

Random pieces of info:

• Major plus, applications will be available from “App Store” right on your iPhone.
• Free applications will be allowed at no cost to the developers, otherwise Apple will be pocketing a clean 30% of revenue from application sales.
• Costs $99 to get access to the SDK. Not cool, but certainly could be worse. SDK available today.
• Software upgrade (2.0) won’t be release until June it looks like. Lame.
• Update will be iPod touch compatible, only once again there will be a “nominal fee” charged for the upgrade. Lamer.
• With Microsoft Exchange support the iPhone is actually shaping up to be a decent enterprise level offering.
• VC Firm KPCB is setting up an “iFund” to the tune of $100m to support “new ventures”.

Apps that were demoed:

• EA demoed a toned down version of Spore for the iPhone, looks pretty sweet.
• AOL is releasing AIM for the iPhone and I could care less, hopefully Google with follow quickly with GoogleTalk.
• SalesForce.com demoed an application that had no meaning whatsoever to me, looked cool though.
• Sega (I guess they still make games :P) showed a preview of Super Monkey Ball for the iPhone, looks like a major acid trip.