iPhone SDK 3.0 Highlights

With a rich set of over 1,000 new APIs (Application Programming Interface), the new iPhone SDK Beta provides developers with an array of technologies that enhance the functionality and usability of their iPhone and iPod touch applications, hence their quality. Fresh APIs, for example, provide support for applications to communicate with hardware accessories attached to iPhone or iPod touch. This and much more are detailed in the iPhone SDK 3.0 highlights below.

“The iPhone Developer Program provides a complete process for developing and distributing applications for iPhone and iPod touch,” Apple says. “When you join the iPhone Developer Program, you also receive access to the new iPhone SDK and iPhone OS 3.0 beta - so you can prepare your applications for the next generation of iPhone OS.”

According to the company responsible for what it calls "the most advanced mobile OS," these are just a few of the things developers can do with the new version of the iPhone Software Development Kit, thanks to the fresh APIs.

In App Purchase
Allow users to purchase content or services from your application using the Store Kit framework. This new framework handles the financial aspects of the transaction, processes payment with the iTunes Store, and provides your application with information about the purchase.

Apple Push Notification service
The Apple Push Notification service provides a way to alert your users of new information, even when your application isn't running. Send text notifications, trigger audible alerts, or add a numbered badge to your application icon.

Accessories
Using the new External Accessory framework, your application can now communicate with "Made for iPod" hardware accessories attached to iPhone or iPod touch through either the 30-pin dock connector or wirelessly using Bluetooth.

Peer to Peer Connectivity
Add multi-player capabilities to your games using the peer to peer network connectivity and in game voice communication features of Game Kit. This powerful new framework allows any application, not just games, to communicate between devices using Bluetooth-no pairing required.

Maps
You can now embed maps within your applications using the new Map Kit framework. Map Kit works with the Google Mobile Maps Service and features panning and zooming, custom annotations, current location and geocoding.

iPod Library Access
Access music, podcasts, or audio books in a user's iPod library directly from your application using the updated Media Player framework. You can play, repeat and shuffle songs or whole playlists, or create sequences of songs using custom searches.



Apple pinpoints the three steps a developer has to follow to get an application in the users' hands (forgetting to mention the approval process which may, or may not go as smooth for everyone)
Credits: Apple (Developer Connection)

As you may have already heard, only developers that are enrolled in the iPhone Developer Program can download the new iPhone SDK and iPhone OS 3.0 beta to start coding. Visit Apple here to enroll or, if you're already a member, download the new SDK using the link below.

Download iPhone SDK 3.0 Beta (Free)