At one point it looked like it would be tricky for Apple to live up to expectations of the iPhone SDK package, especially given the furore over suspected beta releases, limitations on functionality and more. However, as we’ve now seen it’s difficult to fault what Steve Jobs & co have delivered. The SDK will allow developers to produce software that taps into pretty much every aspect of the iPhone – from the MultiTouch display, through the graphics and audio, to the WiFi and cellular radio stacks – and create apps with the same flexibility as Apple developers themselves are permitted.

While the parade of companies taking to the stage – to discuss how straightforward coding for the platform was, in just two weeks no less – could be seen as typical Apple showmanship, the underlying message is a sound one: with drag & drop GUI creation, automatic power management and comprehensive debugging and monitoring tools, the iPhone could actually be the easiest smartphone platform to develop for.

It’s also, contrary to rumors, relatively populist. Anybody will be able to download the SDK (although you’ll presumably need a Mac to run it on) and begin coding, and while you could view the mandatory $99 fee to join the iPhone Developer Community as a hurdle of sorts, it’s arguably a smaller one when you take into account that it includes tech support and distribution. Apple’s revenue split – 70/30 in favor of the developer – should also be healthy for the Cupertino bank account, but existing software download store Handango currently takes 50-percent in royalties, so in fact Apple have been pretty fair (especially when you consider that the Apple Store will be the only way to acquire new software).

The obligatory registration also settles the questions regarding digital signatures and whether the iPhone platform would remain stable once opened up; Steve Jobs pointed out in the Q&A that, should an app prove “bad”, they could trace the developer and cease distribution. It’s a degree of accountability that is lacking in Windows Mobile and other platforms, and the $99 fee has undoubtedly been set as a balance between affordability for bedroom developers and a deterrent for anyone casually wanting to spread malware. And to resolutely counter any arguments about supporting the code community, Apple’s whopping great $100m fund is an offer so far unmatched.

Back when it was uncertain how flexible the official SDK would be, we asked whether Jailbreaking would still have a role in iPhone ownership. It looks as though Apple have pretty resolutely driven a stake through the home-brew hacking, for the typical user anyway; yes, devout hackers and the perpetually tinkering will want greater access to the base guts of the handset (and there’ll of course be a continuing cohort of users wishing to sever the knot from AT&T, O2 or whichever carrier their iPhone is locked to), but for most people what Apple are offering – together with the perceived reassurance of the company’s safeguards – will be enough.

Couple that with the Exchange announcements – not just straightforward push email, nor simply ActiveSync, but Microsoft sent back to the drawing board to fashion a system suitably elegant for the iPhone – and Apple’s cellphone regains 99% of the sheen it may have lost over the past six months. No, there’s no sign of a 3G version, and some questions (notably whether the dock connector API would be accessible to developers) went unanswered, but sales of the iPhone will undoubtedly jump once more as reassured IT managers green-light employees demands for the coveted device

Worth the wait? Well, there’s a little longer to go yet – Software Update 2.0, which includes all this goodness, isn’t released until June. But on first impressions, and until we hear from actual developers as to how easy it really is to work with Apple, the answer seems to be yes.

Official Press Release:

Apple Announces iPhone 2.0 Software Beta

Includes SDK & Built-in Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync

CUPERTINO, California—March 6, 2008—Apple® today previewed its iPhone™ 2.0 software, scheduled for release this June, and announced the immediate availability of a beta release of the software to selected developers and enterprise customers. The iPhone 2.0 beta release includes both the iPhone Software Development Kit (SDK) as well as new enterprise features such as support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync to provide secure, over-the-air push email, contacts and calendars as well as remote wipe, and the addition of Cisco IPsec VPN for encrypted access to private corporate networks.

“We’re excited about creating a vibrant third party developer community with potentially thousands of native applications for iPhone and iPod touch,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “iPhone’s enterprise features combined with its revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface and advanced software architecture provide the best user experience and the most advanced software platform ever for a mobile device.”

The iPhone SDK provides developers with a rich set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and tools to create innovative applications for iPhone and iPod® touch. Starting today, anyone can download the beta iPhone SDK for free and run the iPhone Simulator on their Mac®. Apple today also introduced its new iPhone Developer Program, giving developers everything they need to create native applications, and the new App Store, a breakthrough way for developers to wirelessly deliver their applications to iPhone and iPod touch users.

With the iPhone SDK, third party developers will be able to build native applications for the iPhone with a rich set of APIs, including programming interfaces for Core OS, Core Services, Media and Cocoa Touch technologies. The iPhone SDK will allow developers to create amazing applications that leverage the iPhone’s groundbreaking Multi-Touch™ user interface, animation technology, large storage, built-in three-axis accelerometer and geographical location technology to deliver truly innovative mobile applications.

Apple has licensed Exchange ActiveSync from Microsoft and is building it right into the iPhone, so that iPhone will connect out-of-the-box to Microsoft Exchange Servers 2003 and 2007 for secure over-the-air push email, contacts, calendars and global address lists. Built-in Exchange ActiveSync support also enables security features such as remote wipe, password policies and auto-discovery. The iPhone 2.0 software supports Cisco IPsec VPN to ensure the highest level of IP-based encryption available for transmission of sensitive corporate data, as well as the ability to authenticate using digital certificates or password-based, multi-factor authentication. The addition of WPA2 Enterprise with 802.1x authentication enables enterprise customers to deploy iPhone and iPod touch with the latest standards for protection of Wi-Fi networks.

The iPhone 2.0 software provides a configuration utility that allows IT administrators to easily and quickly set up many iPhones, including password policies, VPN setting, installing certificates, email server settings and more. Once the configuration is defined it can be easily and securely delivered via web link or email to the user. To install, all the user has to do is authenticate with a user ID or password, download the configuration and tap install. Once installed, the user will have access to all their corporate IT services.

The iPhone 2.0 software release will contain the App Store, a new application that lets users browse, search, purchase and wirelessly download third party applications directly onto their iPhone or iPod touch. The App Store enables developers to reach every iPhone and iPod touch user. Developers set the price for their applications—including free—and retain 70 percent of all sales revenues. Users can download free applications at no charge to either the user or developer, or purchase priced applications with just one click. Enterprise customers will be able to create a secure, private page on the App Store accessible only by their employees. Apple will cover all credit card, web hosting, infrastructure and DRM costs associated with offering applications on the App Store. Third party iPhone and iPod touch applications must be approved by Apple and will be available exclusively through the App Store.

The iPhone SDK provides a reliable, fast and secure way to create innovative applications for the iPhone and iPod touch. In addition to the rich set of iPhone OS APIs, the iPhone SDK also provides advanced tools for creating native iPhone and iPod touch applications including: Xcode® for source code editing, project management and graphical debugging; Interface Builder with drag and drop interface creation and live preview; Instruments to monitor and optimize iPhone application performance in real time; and the iPhone Simulator to run and debug applications.

During the beta iPhone SDK program, a limited number of developers will be accepted into Apple’s new iPhone Developer Program and offered the ability to get code onto iPhones for testing. The Standard Program costs $99 (US) per year and gives members an iPhone SDK and development tools; 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 Enterprise Program costs $299 (US) per year.

In addition to these new iPhone network and security features, the beta iPhone 2.0 software provides several new Mail features such as the ability to view PowerPoint attachments, in addition to Word and Excel, as well as the ability to mass delete and move email messages.

Pricing & Availability
Apple plans to release the final iPhone 2.0 software, including the iPhone SDK and new enterprise features, as a free software update for all iPhone customers by the end of June. Third party applications created for the iPhone will also run on the iPod touch, and iPod touch users will be required to purchase a software update to run these applications. The free beta iPhone SDK is available immediately worldwide and can be downloaded at developer.apple.com/iphone/program. The iPhone Developer Program will initially be available in the US and will expand to other countries in the coming months. Apple is accepting applications beginning today from enterprise customers who would like to join the private iPhone Enterprise Beta Program (www.apple.com/iphone/enterprise).