The iPhone SDK is a clever ploy. We’ve been crying and wanting one for all this time, and now Steve finally gave it to us. And we must all rejoice, though a few caveats are worth remembering.

The applications need to be signed. Whether this is a formality or if this will be prohibitively expensive for most independent developers, we will have to wait to see. However, Apple has a final say on what goes onto their platform. I don’t think Nikotalkie will still greet me after February rolls around, not signed by Apple at least.

The 3rd party app scene has been closely tied to the unlock and activate scenes. Not anymore, maybe. Definitely a blanket cover for Apple when it comes to bricking phones.

On the positive side: we have an SDK. Not just the iPhone, the Touch as well. Apple has either solidified the API they were most likely not ready to release back in June or simply acknowledged that the awesome platform they put out deserves so much more. Regardless, many people, myself included, are very happy that the SDK is coming, if only in February 2008.