SDK software examples were cool!

Have you seen the keynote speech from Jobs at the WWDC where they demonstrated some of the cool applications being developed on the iPhone SDK? One of my favorites was the insurance salesman's program which plays virtual musical instruments on the iPhone. Sure it isn't all that useful, but imagine the WOW factor when you show others this program. You just can't help but smile when you see it.

Another very promising one I liked is the one where the iPhone will track the location of your friends in the city on a Google map. Little bubbles appear above each friend with their picture and the ability to contact them immediately. Click on Veronica's bubble who is two blocks down from you and ask her to lunch. I think the Facebook generation would eat this app up. Of course it could cause problems if you notice that your girlfriend is out with your best friend. Ouch.

All of these games that use the accelerometers in the iPhone instead of a gamepad, could be sending some iPhones to the trash heap. Imagine tipping the iPhone back and forth to reach the Temple of the Crystal Chalise and oops the iPhone goes flying out of your hands and smashes on the concrete pavement. Boo hoo. I am sure someone will sell tethers to catch the iPhone if it slips. AKA, like a camera safety strap.

One complaint that I have read from some hard core developers is that Apple does not give them full access to all of the functions of the iPhone. Active GPS navigation is a no go. Apple seems to want to do one on their own. Garmin said they already had an iPhone app using hacks before the SDK but now Apple locks that out in the license. Actually I think keeping the core guts safe from hacks is a good thing. The majority of apps probably don't need to delve into the kernal functions.