More iPhone SDK details emerge

Sources say Apple will only have a beta of the software development kit ready for next week. Also: Apple may end up being the gatekeeper for all third-party apps, and it appears the SDK won't support dock-connecting accessories.

The editors at iLounge—one of the more authoritative sites on all things Mac—say they have multiple sources who've confirmed a number of new details about the upcoming iPhone/iPod Touch SDK, which is expected to be announced next Thursday at a "town hall" in Cupertino.

One of the biggest questions is whether the finished developer kit would be ready in time for Thursday's event. According to iLounge's sources, a beta will indeed be unveiled next week. However, the final SDK might not be ready until June. Apple had originally said we'd have the kit by February.

Another detail revealed by iLounge's sources: You'll need iTunes to browse for and buy third-party iPhone applications, and Apple will be the "gatekeeper" for all new iPhone apps—that is, Jobs & Co. will have the final say on whether a given app gets published.

iLounge also reports that developers won't be able to tap into any dock-connected accessories in their applications, meaning programs wouldn't be able to take advantage of adds-ons like external keypads or speakers.

That said, developers would be able to take advantage of the iPhone's camera, Wi-Fi radio, and phone functionality, according to iLounge.

Finally, iLounge sources are saying that Apple will raise the curtain on iPhone compatibility with corporate Exchange and Lotus Notes servers, although details on this announcement remain sketchy.

Now, to be clear—we're still just talking rumors here. None of these details have been confirmed by Apple, so don't take them to the bank quite yet.

Still, this is all sounding pretty consistent with what I've been hearing about Apple's SDK plans, and some of the details—including Apple's role as a gatekeeper for third-party apps—are sure to be controversial among developers.

The big question, of course, is whether the iPhone application market will be able to thrive if Apple is cherry-picking the programs. And what will the criteria be for getting Apple's stamp of approval?

Also, here's the salient question for us end-users: When will we start seeing third-party iPhone apps for sale? Will we have to wait until June, when the final SDK arrives (if that is, indeed, the case), or will developers be allowed to go to work with the beta kit?

Looks like we'll have to wait until Thuesday for the answers. In the meantime, check out iLounge for more details on the latest SDK rumors.

Related:
iPhone/iPod SDK: Apple to approve, distribute apps, limit add-ons [iLounge]