iPhone SDK released: the good, the bad, and the ugly

It’s finally official: the iPhone SDK is available for download at Apple.com (download link appears to be down atm). Here are the details you need to know…

The Good
-The SDK is free to anyone who wants to check it out.
-They will allow publishers to release their apps for FREE
-Developers can set price, get 70% of revenue
-Simple distribution via an Installer.app like interface
-Developers have access to most all hardware features

The Bad
-While the SDK is free, it will cost $99 to PUBLISH apps
-SDK only for Intel macs running Leopard

The Ugly
-iPod Touch users have to PAY for an update to run third-party apps! You got to be effin with me.
-Firmware 2.0, enabling third-party apps, not available until June.
-Apps will be distributed SOLEY through Apple. This may not be so bad given it allows devs to focus on code instead of payment processing and other technicalities, and Apple sound very open to what can be published. But it still gives Apple ultimate control. I doubt you will be downloading SNES emulators from the iTMS any time soon.

I’ve got to give Apple credit: this is way better than I expected. It sounds like they listened to what consumer want, and are doing all they can without completely opening pandoras box. They’ve gone as far as saying they will even allow VOIP applications–over wifi only–which is definitely a nod to the consumer instead of ATT. The $99 publishing/licensing fee will also let you test your apps on your own device, so that sounds very similar to Microsoft’s XNA business model.

If you want to watch the entire Software Roadmap presentation for yourself, you can do so here. (funny note: apple named the follow pic of Jobs “hero_bg20080306.jpg”… coincidence?)

What are your thoughts?