Since I posted predictions, I feel like I have to post a post-game summary as well:

Code Signing

Mostly correct. Your code must be signed to be distributed through iTunes, and Apple does intend to prevent you from distributing your app through any other channel. The difference is that you get your certificate as part of your (paid) iPhone Developer Program membership — and for less than you can usually get a code signing certificate.

Student / Hobbyist Developers

The text of my prediction was correct, but the spirit of it was wrong. You can, technically, develop your application without paying a penny to anyone — but only if you don’t intend to test it on a device.

Paid and Displayed

Same as above, basically. Apple created a new paid developer program, which wasn’t really what I meant.

Xcode

Partially correct. There are new tools, and some of the existing ones do get new tricks — but Apple seems to be throwing the whole mess of tools into this endeavor. Sure, Interface Builder isn’t in the current beta, but I totally didn’t expect Instruments to be included.

What’s in a name?
This was from a list of additional predictions I had that I thought weren’t worth posting an update or sequel post. This OS does get an official name — it’s referred to all through the docs as “iPhone OS”.

Here are some other interesting points from my reading so far:

  • Xcode has its own list of devices (perhaps not surprising) that you have to add you device to by plugging it in with Xcode running.
  • You create your code signing certificate using the Certificate Utility in Keychain Access, and then upload it to Apple’s servers (once you’ve joined the program), and then download the signed one and add it to Xcode.
  • While you’re downloading stuff, you’ll need to download your Profile as well — to me this strongly implies that the exact nature of the restrictions is negotiable (at least they are for the really big fish).

  • I love really specific qualifiers on informational pages:

    The iPhone Developer Program will initially be available to a limited number of developers in the U.S. and will expand to other countries in the coming months.

    Limited? I know your developer.apple.com totally screwed from the load after the announcement, but still. In the coming months? Gosh. Is that the same timeframe for when most of us would actually be permitted to join?

Weblog | Tagged , , , | Permalink