iPhone SDK
Last Thursday, Apple released the iPhone Software Developer Kit (SDK) and offered Mac aficionados the chance to build applications for the iPhone. There are, of course many reasons Apple might make such a choice but the most important reason is that it will generate a plethora of programs to add value to what a friend essentially described today as “an iPod on steroids.” Let’s face it. Most of us already have a cell phone with a two-year contract for services. If one does not want to buy out their contract or crack their iPhone, then one must wait for the contract to expire or use the iPhone as a glorified MP3 player. So, if Apple can get everyone working on making value-added merchandise for the iPhone, it will become more useful for users. And, it certainly does increase user loyalty. So, overall, another clever marketing move by Apple.
To be honest, the SDK development process has a fairly steep learning curve. I’ve spent the last three days in search of someone, anyone who knows Xcode really well. I’ve downloaded Open Source sample projects and tried to take them apart. I ordered the new book from O’Reilly that lists today as the publication date. If UPS is accurate, I should have that in a couple of days BUT as a person who is really quite determined to figure this out and do it, it has been a challenge to get information. Even going to the Apple Store didn’t give me the answers I was hoping to find.
I’ve been deep, deep, deep in everything I could possibly read about Objective-C, Cocoa, and iPhone app development for the past week and only in the last day or two have I really gotten anywhere. I’ve got some code that works but now I still have a lot more questions than answers.
The only advice I have is to go into the iPhone section on developer.apple.com and read everything they have. Watch all the videos, read every programming guide, the Objective-C primer, look at every line of code from every example they give (especially the ones that use all the iPhone interface elements you’d use in your app) and get it all sucked up into your head. After awhile hopefully things will click better.
Hi Mike …
I did watch all of the videos and read many of the white papers and such … so I’m doing what you’re doing … trying to get a grip on Objective-C and Cocoa. I’m really looking for something that shows how to build a simple something from start to finish. Do you know of anything? Please post a comment or send a note if you find anything wonderful.
Im all about apple and the new SDK. More important than the code itself is the concept of the program. I see this new platform as simple brilliance, like almost everything apple releases. I cant wait to strike gold with this jammer!
On a side note, HI CYNDI!!!!!
good to hear the film thing is moving along.