EXTENSIONS
GRAHAM K. ROGERS
Showing details of `Krull' for the iPhone. |
Apple's WorldWide Developers Conference opened last week in San Francisco. Steve Jobs began with his keynote speech and pointed out that during the week there would be 147 sessions - 85 on the Mac and 62 on the iPhone. Jobs added that in the afternoon, Bertrand Serlet would outline the next version of OS X, Snow Leopard. He provided no details, although there has been much speculation. A press release added some information.
He outlined iPhone 2.0 software, the developer programme and the software developer's kit (SDK). With enterprise software, the iPhone links to Microsoft Exchange with push technology. We can view Word, Excel and PowerPoint files as well as iWork output. It now has Cisco secure VPN and secure services plus the ability to delete data remotely if the phone is lost - important for business.
Scott Forstall showed how the SDK allows a developer to build an application for the iPhone or Pod touch easily. The Interface Builder looks similar to the Dashcode widget builder that comes with the XCode tools. A short demo showed how easy it was to create an application on the Mac for the iPhone and then test it on the phone. This was followed by several outlines of iPhone applications already created showing the great potential of the device: Games (Sega and Pangea); eBay auction tracking, Loopt with social interaction software using the iPhone's new Core Location feature; mobile blogging from Type Pad; a well-received application called Band that played instruments on the phone from independent UK developer Mark Terry; Associated Press, who already have a web app that I have been using on the iPod touch for a few weeks, have a free application.
Modality, and MIMVista developers of software for doctors, showed how valuable and varied the iPhone could be for medical personnel. Finally, a Spanish developer Xavier Costa showed Krull, an adventure game, that had been developed in only two weeks. The guest developers mentioned how easy and fast they had found the SDK was and how they enjoyed the development.
Forstall quoted David Pogue, "You're witnessing the birth of a third major computer platform: Windows, Mac OS X, iPhone."
Steve Jobs mentioned the addition of contact searches. Also added were features to delete and move messages and to save images, although cut and paste are still not available. The calculator is improved: Using landscape mode displays a scientific calculator. Parental controls are now included. Language support includes Japanese and Chinese (we can draw characters with the finger). It is possible to switch between languages on the fly. Such additions are an advantage of not having plastic keys for the keyboard, Jobs claimed. But we still do not have Thai.
The iPhone software update will be free, while the iPod touch update is now $9.99 (330 baht). Even with the addition of several App Store locations (62) it is not clear yet how Thai users will purchase this upgrade.
Enterprises can develop and distribute software for the phones within their organisations. University lecturers can distribute software to a maximum of 100 iPhones. More information will be coming in future months.
Phil Schiller introduced the new "mobileme" (to replace .MAC). This reflects the move towards a version of cloud computing "for the rest of us." He showed several aspects of the tools available to Mac and iPhone users. It will cost $99 (3,300 baht) annually and there will be a 60-day free trial. It is not limited to iPhone users, and will be available for computers, including PCs.
The almost instant integration between the various applications on the Mac or PC, plus the push features, make this a worthwhile investment for those on the move.
Steve Jobs told the audience that six million iPhones had been sold until Apple ran out a few weeks ago, then announced the expected new version of iPhone - iPhone 3G - with enterprise support and third-party applicatons, plus GPS. Location data is taken from cell towers, Wi-Fi and GPS. The iPhone now includes tracking, so a journey can be followed as it is made. More countries, will be added, Jobs said: "Believe me they (iPhones) are in use in many more countries." The total planned is 70, including Hong Kong and Singapore.
The phone is thinner, with a plastic back, solid metal buttons and 3.5in. display. It has flush headphone jacks and better audio. It is priced at $199 for the 8GB version. The 16GB iPhone is $299 with the choice of a white version.
Jobs compared downloads using EDGE and 3G where speeds approach Wi-Fi. He said it is "amazingly zippy" being 36 per cent faster than the Nokia N95 and Treo 750, although the iPhone displays a full page. Battery life is a much improved 300 hours standby: 2G talk-time 10 hours; 3G talk-time five hours; browsing five to six; video seven; and audio 24 hours.
The keynote speech, exciting as it was for device potential, offered little for local users although more announcements were expected in the following days. We can look forward to a new version of OS X sometime in the next year. It is clear that the full features now available on the iPhone demand considerably improved communications links and these are still in need of development here.
Graham K. Rogers has OS X-flavoured web pages, with links to an RSS feed and a weekly podcast at http://www.extensions.in.th/index4.html.
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