So you’ve developed an app for the iPhone using their shiny new SDK – how do you get it to the thousands of handsets they’ve sold? Steve Jobs took to the stage at the Roadmap event today to announce the new Apple Store, which will appear on iPhones after the next firmware update. Featuring wireless downloads, software will be installed directly to the handset; programs will also be available via iTunes. Developers distributing paid-for software will be able to set their own prices, with Apple taking revenue with a 70/30 split and paying them monthly.
Free applications, however, will not be subject to any fees from Apple, and will be distributed without cost. Limitations include any illegal apps and anything pornographic. The update, called Software Update 2, will be shipped in June as a free update for the iPhone and at a small cost for the iPod Touch. Developers will be able to download the SDK from http://www.apple.com in around 30 minutes time, but will need to join the iPhone Developers Program for $99 before they’ll be able to distribute software, though that includes technical support.
will someone developing a free app be subject to that $100 membership fee also? That would be a bit discouraging…