Apple has previewed its iPhone OS 3.0 software and announced the immediate availability of a beta software release to registered developers. The iPhone OS 3.0 beta release includes an updated Software Development Kit (SDK) with over 1,000 new Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) including In-App Purchases; Peer-to-Peer connections; an app interface for accessories; access to the iPod music library; a new Maps API; and Push Notifications. It will be available to iPhone and iPod touch users this summer
Apple has also announced over 100 new features that will be available to iPhone and iPod touch users this summer, including cut, copy and paste; MMS (for the iPhone 3G); landscape view for Mail, Text and Notes; stereo Bluetooth; syncing Notes to the Mac and PC; shake to shuffle; parental controls for TV shows, movies and apps from the App Store; and automatic login at wi-fi hot spots. The iPhone OS 3.0 beta release will also include a new Voice Memo app and expanded search capability for all key iPhone apps, as well as Spotlight search across the iPhone or iPod touch.
The new iPhone OS 3.0 is a major software release, packed with incredible new features and innovations for iPhone customers and developers alike, says Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing, Philip Schiller. It will keep us years ahead of the competition.
The iPhone OS 3.0 beta software and SDK are available today for all iPhone Developer Program members to use for development and testing of their apps for iPhone and iPod touch. Included in these APIs is the ability to leverage the purchase model of the App Store within apps. In-App Purchases will allow developers to offer subscription content, and provide the ability to sell new content and features in a simple and secure process. Developers can also more easily create peer-to-peer games for the iPhone and iPod touch using Bluetooth.
Another key developer feature in the iPhone OS 3.0 beta software is the ability for apps to interface with hardware accessories, creating a new element of control for iPhone and iPod touch accessory developers, as well as a new ecosystem of solutions for customers. Developers will also be able to use Apples new Maps API to integrate Google Mobile Maps services within their apps, which will offer Google Map tiles, current location, custom annotations and geocoding. The iPhone OS 3.0 beta software includes the Apple Push Notification service, which provides developers with a mechanism to alert users with sounds, text or a badge.
Apples App Store currently has more than 25,000 applications available to consumers, and 15 more countries have been added, meaning that the App Store is now available in 77 countries, allowing developers to reach more than 30 million iPhone and iPod touch users around the world. Developers set the price for their applications and retain 70% of all sales revenue. Apple covers all credit card, web hosting and infrastructure costs associated with offering applications on the App Store.
The iPhone OS 3.0 beta software and SDK will be available for registered developers to download starting today from developer.apple.com. iPhone customers will be able to download the new iPhone OS 3.0 software for free this summer and iPod touch customers will be able to buy a software update for $9.95 (7).