iPhone & iTouch 2.0 Software Update Due in June – Free For iPhone Users, iTouch Owners To Pay

Few people don't have an invariably hard-line stance concerning Apple's
software update policies, us included, and the up and coming 2.0
software update announced by Apple, which will be free to iPhone users
but will hit iTouch users in the pocket (again) is sure to stoke the
fires still further - here's Apple's official press release.

Apple Announces iPhone 2.0 Software Beta Includes SDK & Built-in
Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync

CUPERTINO, Calif., March 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Apple(R) today
previewed its iPhone(TM) 2.0 software, scheduled for release this June,
and announced the immediate availability of a beta release of the
software to selected developers and enterprise customers. The iPhone 2.0
beta release includes both the iPhone Software Development Kit (SDK) as
well as new enterprise features such as support for Microsoft Exchange
ActiveSync to provide secure, over-the-air push email, contacts and
calendars as well as remote wipe, and the addition of Cisco IPsec VPN
for encrypted access to private corporate networks.

“We’re excited about creating a vibrant third party
developer community with potentially thousands of native applications
for iPhone and iPod touch,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO.
“iPhone’s enterprise features combined with its
revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface and advanced software
architecture provide the best user experience and the most advanced
software platform ever for a mobile device.”

The iPhone SDK provides developers with a rich set of Application
Programming Interfaces (APIs) and tools to create innovative
applications for iPhone and iPod(R) touch. Starting today, anyone can
download the beta iPhone SDK for free and run the iPhone Simulator on
their Mac(R). Apple today also introduced its new iPhone Developer
Program, giving developers everything they need to create native
applications, and the new App Store, a breakthrough way for developers
to wirelessly deliver their applications to iPhone and iPod touch users.

With the iPhone SDK, third party developers will be able to build native
applications for the iPhone with a rich set of APIs, including
programming interfaces for Core OS, Core Services, Media and Cocoa Touch
technologies. The iPhone SDK will allow developers to create amazing
applications that leverage the iPhone’s groundbreaking
Multi-Touch(TM) user interface, animation technology, large storage,
built-in three-axis accelerometer and geographical location technology
to deliver truly innovative mobile applications.

Apple has licensed Exchange ActiveSync from Microsoft and is building it
right into the iPhone, so that iPhone will connect out-of-the-box to
Microsoft Exchange Servers 2003 and 2007 for secure over-the-air push
email, contacts, calendars and global address lists. Built-in Exchange
ActiveSync support also enables security features such as remote wipe,
password policies and auto-discovery. The iPhone 2.0 software supports
Cisco IPsec VPN to ensure the highest level of IP-based encryption
available for transmission of sensitive corporate data, as well as the
ability to authenticate using digital certificates or password-based,
multi-factor authentication. The addition of WPA2 Enterprise with 802.1x
authentication enables enterprise customers to deploy iPhone and iPod
touch with the latest standards for protection of Wi-Fi networks.

The iPhone 2.0 software provides a configuration utility that allows IT
administrators to easily and quickly set up many iPhones, including
password policies, VPN setting, installing certificates, email server
settings and more. Once the configuration is defined it can be easily
and securely delivered via web link or email to the user. To install,
all the user has to do is authenticate with a user ID or password,
download the configuration and tap install. Once installed, the user
will have access to all their corporate IT services.

The iPhone 2.0 software release will contain the App Store, a new
application that lets users browse, search, purchase and wirelessly
download third party applications directly onto their iPhone or iPod
touch. The App Store enables developers to reach every iPhone and iPod
touch user. Developers set the price for their applications —
including free — and retain 70 percent of all sales revenues.
Users can download free applications at no charge to either the user or
developer, or purchase priced applications with just one click.
Enterprise customers will be able to create a secure, private page on
the App Store accessible only by their employees. Apple will cover all
credit card, web hosting, infrastructure and DRM costs associated with
offering applications on the App Store. Third party iPhone and iPod
touch applications must be approved by Apple and will be available
exclusively through the App Store.

The iPhone SDK provides a reliable, fast and secure way to create
innovative applications for the iPhone and iPod touch. In addition to
the rich set of iPhone OS APIs, the iPhone SDK also provides advanced
tools for creating native iPhone and iPod touch applications including:
Xcode(R) for source code editing, project management and graphical
debugging; Interface Builder with drag and drop interface creation and
live preview; Instruments to monitor and optimize iPhone application
performance in real time; and the iPhone Simulator to run and debug
applications.

During the beta iPhone SDK program, a limited number of developers will
be accepted into Apple’s new iPhone Developer Program and offered
the ability to get code onto iPhones for testing. The Standard Program
costs $99 (US) per year and gives members an iPhone SDK and development
tools; access to pre-release iPhone software; technical support; the
ability to get code onto iPhones for testing; and distribution of
applications via the new App Store. The Enterprise Program costs $299
(US) per year.

In addition to these new iPhone network and security features, the beta
iPhone 2.0 software provides several new Mail features such as the
ability to view PowerPoint attachments, in addition to Word and Excel,
as well as the ability to mass delete and move email messages.

Pricing & Availability

Apple plans to release the final iPhone 2.0 software, including the
iPhone SDK and new enterprise features, as a free software update for
all iPhone customers by the end of June. Third party applications
created for the iPhone will also run on the iPod touch, and iPod touch
users will be required to purchase a software update to run these
applications. The free beta iPhone SDK is available immediately
worldwide and can be downloaded at developer.apple.com/iphone/program.
The iPhone Developer Program will initially be available in the US and
will expand to other countries in the coming months. Apple is accepting
applications beginning today from enterprise customers who would like to
join the private iPhone Enterprise Beta Program
(http://www.apple.com/iphone/enterprise).

UPDATE: see - Apple iPod Touch 2.0 Firmware Released [Touch software
Update Live Via App Store].