iPhone SDK 3.0 / iPhone OS 3.0 – About iPhone OS Accessories

Upon releasing the iPhone SDK 3.0 beta, complementing iPhone OS 3.0, Apple has revealed that an application can now communicate with accessories attached to iPhone or iPod touch through either the 30-pin dock connector or wirelessly, via Bluetooth.

Addressing application developers specifically, Apple claims devs can extend the capabilities of their application by monitoring and controlling external devices, or create entirely new integrated solutions that combine their iPhone app with dedicated hardware.

“Your application can communicate with your own accessory using a custom protocol, or any accessory that uses a standard protocol provided by the manufacturer,” the company says. “If you are developing an application that works with an accessory, use the new Accessory APIs in iPhone SDK 3.0 to identify and communicate with external hardware,” Apple explains.

The company has a word of advice for accessory developers, as well. As previously revealed, the iPhone boasts a 30-pin dock connector and Bluetooth interfaces. These provide a common protocol for accessories to communicate with iPhone and iPod.

“Enhance your accessory by developing an iPhone app to deliver new functionality, or provide a standard protocol that iPhone app developers can adopt,” Apple shares. “To learn how to add support for iPhone apps in your accessory, join the Made for iPod and Works with iPhone Licensing Program.”

Apple points out that licensed developers gain access to technical documentation and hardware components that are used to develop accessories that interact with iPod and iPhone. However, they must join the Made for iPod and Works with iPhone Licensing program to develop accessories that attach to the dock connector. Licensed developers will receive technical specifications describing the required connectors and components. To have accessories interact with iPhone and iPod, developers get detailed documentation on the communication protocol. They also get to assist in product development and testing access to Developer Technical Support and ADC Compatibility Labs.

Visit Apple here for more information on using iPhone SDK 3.0, so your application can communicate with accessories attached to iPhone or iPod touch.

Download iPhone SDK 3.0 Beta (Free)