Rumors: iPhone SDK not ready for primetime?
There's growing speculation among Apple (AAPL) watchers that the iPhone software developer's kit (SDK) that Steve Jobs said he hoped to have ready before the end of February — and is the headliner of the "special event" scheduled for March 6 — may still be in beta and might not arrive until the World Wide Developer's Conference some time in June.
This would be a surprise, although probably not the "element of surprise" that COO Tim Cook invoked when he declined to answer questions about the SDK at Wednesday's Goldman Sachs symposium. (see here)
What's the source of this speculation? Some of it is pure gossip, like the item the usually reliable Erica Sadun at TUAW passed along earlier this month:
Speaking of the rumor trickle, the big one that I'm hearing right now is about big SDK delays — perhaps all the way to WWDC (which makes us think that the big Apple show coming up may not be for the iPhone). It sounds like putting together a public SDK, documented and tested for third-party use, is a huge, huge project, and that Apple is busy hiring people to make this happen. (link)
Some of it seems to be coming, albeit second-hand, from programmers who actually laid hands on preliminary versions of the SDK, like this report in MacRumors Thursday (pointing out an item in the Italian website setteB.it):
SetteB.it is not a typical rumor source, but this information is consistent with earlier Page 2 rumors and direct observations we've heard from individuals who have seen early versions of the SDK, saying that it appeared to offer just the "bare essentials" at that time. (link)
Some of it is just tea-leaf reading, like Ted Landau's close scrutiny of Apple's iPhone Software Roadmap invitation in The Mac Observer.
Why use the word “roadmap” at all? Why not simply say: “Please join us to learn about the iPhone SDK” or “Please join us for the unveiling of the iPhone SDK”? (link)
Some of it is Fake Steve Jobs spinning fiction, as he usually does, but often around a kernel of truth:
Look, I've gotta admit, I'm pretty disappointed with the developer tools engineers. These guys have really let me down. We were supposed to have the iPhone SDK out by February and let's be honest — it ain't gonna happen. … Damn you, engineers! If I could run this company without you, I would do it in a heartbeat! We'd have nothing but PR and marketing and advertising people. (link)
Whatever SDK beta meme's provenance, some investors have already figured it into their planning. The smart money at TMO's Apple Finance Board is betting that come March 6, as Tommo_UK puts it, …
… the big news will be software partners signing up, big names like IBM, SAP, Salesforce, Microsoft, etc.. some with demos etc. A beta of the SDK will be released to allow smaller developers to play, but it will run in emulation mode on the Mac rather than the iPhone.
The main SDK will be released concurrent with a new iPhone or iPhone OS 2.0 instead of 1.1.6 or whatever, and at that point the entire development community, rather than just the "chosen few" keynote partners will be able to write and sell applications for the iPhone. (link)
UPDATE: One more datapoint. Jeremy Horwitz at iLounge, citing unnamed "sources familiar" with Apple's SDK plans, has published an authoritative-sounding rundown of how Apple plans to restrict third-party developers writing apps for the iPhone and iPod touch. (Apple would have to approve all apps, for example, and would prevent interfacing directly with dock-based accessories.) He adds that his sources say this about what's coming next week:
Apple will use the March 6 event to tout the benefits of the SDK to selected media, analysts, and developers, releasing an incomplete, “beta” version of the kit that was originally promised for February. The actual kit will now ship in June, coinciding with Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference event in San Francisco. (see here)
UPDATE 2.0: Apple released beta version of its SDK today. The final release is due in June. See here.
Look at it this way……Philip can never be accused of letting the facts get in the way of a good story!
Philip Elmer-DeWitt continually demonstrates his lack of maturity (how old is he, like 24 years old?) by pretending to be a reporter who bases his accounts on unverified rumors, innuendo and alleged unnamed sources. Show us YOUR sources, DeWitt, and while you are at it, please stop calling yourself a journalist. By the way, in the name of full declosure, tell us how much stock you own in Apple competitors.
ex ped: 24? You flatter me, TW.
LOL
I heard a rumor that Apple is buying Microsoft.
I heard a rumor that Rim is being bought out by Atari.
I heard a rumor that Time/AOL/CNN/Fortune is merging with Walmart.
I heard a rumor that Hillary Clinton is a lesbian.
I heard a rumor that Britney Spears is pregnant again.
I guess that rumor thing is kind of fun. I could see getting a job doing this full time.
Maybe Jobs meant February 2009?
Calm down fanboys – there are several places reporting the same thing about the delayed SDK and the locking down/approval of applications. What's next? Will you have to get permission from Jobs to use the restroom? The fanboys will defend any AAPL practice or policy, no matter how absurd.
WOW! Is this really what Fortune mag is about?
Totally unsubstantiated rumors from questionable sources?
With this kind of journalism, I expect to see Fortune in the checkout isle right next to the Daily Globe and the alien babies.
Sad
HOW MUSCH YOU GOT PAID BY THE SHORTS FOR THE ARTICLE
ex ped: Not a thing, Mike. You (and a lot of other people who comment here) talk like people who are spending too much time gambling on the market. There's more to life than longs and shorts. What's that expression?
"When all you have is a hammer, the whole world looks like a nail."
If Apple can get developers started writing code for the iPhone/iPod touch, yet delay the release of actual products for a few months, that might not be a bad thing at all. Otherwise, were likely to see an early flood of buggy, rush-to-market software that could tarnish the reputation of the new platform.
I like the articles here more when there's a little less of a "my neighbor knew this guy whose cousin met a guy in line at Starbucks who said he heard from a cab driver that once drove a guy across town that worked for Apple…" feel.
Don't you remember that Apple had advertised for a MS Exchange Enterprise developer a long time ago?. I didn't hear about it from a guy who heard from another guy who overheard what someone was saying on a bus. It was published information. Elmer FUD indeed. Hey, I'll give you credit, though. You and that other rumormonger guy at The Street are both dedicated masochists.
if stuff is not "perfect" apple has a history of giving the developers what they have as far as codex and tools and letting them get a head start on their applications look at the history of os x its way better than mr softie keeping everything secret and then releasing something that does not work 2 years late with the rationale "we are famous for stuff that does not work" apple will get it right take that to the bank
I'm a long term long on aapl. I don't know about you others, but I appreciate knowing about negative rumor reports.
This report by DeWitt is legitimate. He doesn't deserve all the guff you're giving him.
I'd love to see some of the new applications that come from the SDK. There are so many web apps for it now though, I can't even keep up with them.
you have to be negative on AAPL. It's like a thorn in your back to see AAPl finally move up. Go get yourself a life Short Phil – and don't tell me again that you are not Short or at least that your interest are not AAPL's investor's interests.
I think Tommo_UK might be correct with his theory. And that would be a great approach by Apple. Much more strategic than just throwing out an SDK. I hope Wall Street (and idiot bloggers like Dimwitt) recognize the value of the partnerships Apple is trying to cultivate. That's what would show an attempt to crack into the enterprise….not just an SDK.
More garbage. You sir are why I've cancelled my subscription to Fortune. I am amazed that a publication like Fortune would even allow you to use their name.
Rumors are just that. Please base your articles on facts. We have had enough Apple beating in the last couple of months!
"There’s growing speculation among Apple (AAPL) watchers…"
"What’s the source of this speculation? Some of it is pure gossip…"
After reading 100's of posts from rabid Apple Fanboys, I've noticed how you only pick and choose what to read whenever PED writes. He started out by statign this was rumor and speculation and if you choose to continue reading that is your fault. And let me see if I understand what you are saying, a major Fortune 500 company such as Apple would idley sit by and allow a beat reporter, no offense Phil, to control the up and downs of it's stock by publishing an online article without ever contacting Fortune Magazine and having him internally reassigned? Seriously do you think that would ever happen? BAck me up here Phil.
BTW, are the majority of Apple users also Gator fans? Both seem to be extremely rude whenever someone disagrees with their point of view.Of course you could also all be women heh.
ex ped: Consider yourself backed up, Walrus. I actually have pretty good relations with Apple. They don't give away any secrets, of course, but they are very polite about it.