If Apple rolls out a tablet computer, it could make building applications for its portable devices more complex. That’s because developers–who have built more than 65,000 applications for the iPhone and iPod touch–say one of the big advantages to developing apps for these devices is consistency.

[via Forbes]

The kit comes with:

• One iPhone UI Stencil
• Zebra mechanical pencil
• 2 Design Commission stickers
• Downloadable .PDF letter-sized paper template

[Design Commission via Gizmodo]

Each week, a favorite app will be chosen from new submissions and will be featured on the Mobclix web site. The community votes on the People’s Choice winning app and a panel of expert judges will help Gap and Mobclix choose the Grand Prize winner. Apps will be judged on originality, innovation, ease of use, and customer appeal. As you brainstorm ideas, keep in mind the following things that Gap is known for: denim, color, music, individuality and reinvented classics.

Visit www.mobclix.com/gap, view the official rules and register for the contest.

The inaugural iPhone Games Summit (September 15-16) at the 2009 GDC Austin will bring together top game developers from around the world to share ideas, best practices and discuss the future of this revolutionary platform.  A full two-day program will highlight the best of iPhone development, with an entire first day discussing the business, marketing, and key design tenets behind successful iPhone game development. The second day will provide overviews and deep dives into technical aspects of developing on iPhone, from app optimization and touch interface lessons through iPhone OS 3.0 features, Objective-C tips, and much more.

The speakers for the summit include local Austin-area iPhone developer Brian Greenstone, founder and president of Enigmo creator Pangea Software, as well as Snappy Touch’s Noel Llopis, a Game Developer magazine columnist and creator of notable iPhone app Flower Garden.

[via GameSetWatch]

The site explains how these work:

iPhone toolbar icons are 24-bit PNGs with an alpha channel and dimensions of about 30 × 30 pixels. The icon’s mask (the parts of the image which aren’t fully transparent) is styled to create the normal and active button states. This works the same way for both Toolbar (blue bar, as in Safari) and Tab Bar (black bar, as in the iPod app).

[Source]

All that is required is being a registered member of the development centre. Reports at this point suggest that the new version is cosmetically identical to BETA 2. The feel of it is smoother with a bit more snap. There is nothing so different to this version when sitting next to the last for anyone to panic.

As more reports about 3.0 come about, will certainly let you know. Would love to hear your thoughts!

[via BoyGeniusReport]

Main factors are the server side for the Push Notifications feature will be opened gradually to developers. Push Notifications are Apple’s way to have Apps keeping track of changes in the background. Apple is not doing real background processes because of battery life concerns. Technical information will reportedly appear in a App Store Kit reference guide. More detailed information on how to build in-app purchasing functionality into their existing or future applications.

It has been reported that BETA 2 of the iPhone 3.0 OS is running faster than BETA 1. A few bugs seen previously have also been fixed. Another series of changes were reportedly documented alongside the release of a new version of the iPhone SDK also released Tuesday. Some specific components that received attention were GameKit, Bluetooth, MapKit, Fonts, the messaging user interface and text fields.

[via AppleInsider]

How iPhoneAppQuotes works? This site explains:

1. Fill out our confidential quote form on this page.
2. We send your contact information to 3 iPhone Developers in our exclusive network.
3. A max of 3 iPhone Developers will contact you to discuss your project, and provide you with a free price quote.
4. You decide which iPhone Application Development Company you want to work with. It’s that easy!

To join The iPhoneAppQuotes Network, every developer must have at least 1 app in the store already.

[via prMac]

On the one-year anniversary of third-party iPhone App development, developers need to renew their contracts to avoid having their software pulled from the App Store. This is one thing, problem is that they are facing difficulty having the contract and cooperation from Apple finalized in time. The reasons behind this have not become obvious. However the March deadline is Apple’s first definitive test of its ability to maintain long-term development relationships with those writing apps for the iPhone and iPod touch.

The contracts are needed as part of the iPhone Developer Program in order to have iPhone applications listed in the App Store. Apparently, in March 2008 developers were told that an online option would be available 90 days before the contract(s) expired. The end of March however is 20 days away. There are currently 25,000 Apps out there, 10,000 were registered since January. This is a major kink the in the system for the iPhone developer and could see major panic in the industry, whats happening Apple?

[via CNET]

A year ago, Apple CEO Steve Jobs and iPhone software head Scott Forstall publicly described the parameters of the iPhone software development process. Since then, the iPhone and iPod Touch have become truly personal devices to the point that now, the future of the iPhones’ success lies in the hands of outside developers. With applications now the focus for marketing to consumers and business, industry competitors have noticed like the BlackBerry App World.

Apple waited for the right time to open the App doors to outside developers. There have been a few hick-ups for Apple, such as misguided nondisclosure agreement to confusing policies on App Store requirements. This includes agreements  for developers to not disclosing tips or tricks with fellow engineers. Developers can however focus on the positive. “If you would have asked me a year ago if I saw myself making $250,000 selling a fart app, I would have said, ‘you’re nuts’,” said Joel Comm, CEO of Infomedia and iPhone zeitgeist application iFart Mobile. The direction of the app world for Apple is in the hands of the creative developer. So what have you made lately?

[via CNET]

These promo codes allow anyone who the developers wish, to download the full version of the application for free. By distributing these applications to reviewers and beta testers, developers can better get the word out about new applications that they have released.

In the App Store, codes may be entered in by using the “Redeem” link. This service is currently only available in the US. We are really curious to see what other changes Apple will make to help developers promote their applications in a sea of over 10,000.

[Via TheiPhoneBlog]

But that doesn’t mean this blog was quiet this week. In fact, we found out that the iPhone firmware 2.2 has a few extra features no one noticed right away, including Emoji and StreetView support in Google Maps.

We also learned that a big group of current iPhone users actually switched from a different carrier in order to use the device. Plus, the iPhone Developer Tech Talks launched this week, bringing iPhone app creation abilities to a wider audience.

The mini-USB plugs were recalled recently, and now customers are getting their replacements. Funnily enough, they have arrived for many in huge boxes with just an instruction sheet warning customers to return the defective plugs or else.

A heart rate monitor app went live on the App Store this week as well, which makes it easier to keep track of your heart rate anywhere at anytime.

Lastly, we took a look at PhoneTag Voicemail. The service that allows users to view transcriptions of their voicemails by means of a text message or an email, was very useful and for the most part intuitive. Many will find it to be a suitable alternative to the iPhone’s Visual Voicemail capability.

This is what Apple has to say about it:

Don’t miss this unique opportunity. The event is free, but space is limited.

Apple technology evangelists and engineers will soon be traveling the globe bringing iPhone development expertise to a city near you. Learn about the tools and technologies you’ll use to create great iPhone applications, then work with the experts to optimize your code, refine your user interface, and apply the knowledge you gain from the sessions to enhance the capabilities of your iPhone application.

You can expect lectures on iPhone User Interface Design, Objective C and Game Development. The Tour will kick off in San Francisco on October 22nd. Other cities include Austin, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Seattle. A few cities in Europe, Asia Pacific and India are included as well.

[via MacRumors]

For starters, the iPhone developer NDA was thrown out this week for any released software. However, unreleased software still falls under the NDA. We also learned that Adobe Flash will be coming to the iPhone sometime in the near future, though the exact date is not yet known.

A Verizon EVDO iPhone might be in the works for 2009 as well, which is would the be first time the device would be on a carrier other than AT&T since its launch. The iPhone 3G will also be coming to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico shortly, which shows Apple’s roll out plans are still on track.

We saw the passing of the last day of September this week, which means Apple’s self-imposed deadline for push notification has now gone by. We still don’t know when the iPhone will be equipped with this, but perhaps one of the next updates will include it? iTunes 8.0.1 was released this week as well, which featured many bug fixes.

There was quite a bit of app-related news this week, as well. Tap Tap Revenge, the popular iPhone game that is much like Guitar Hero will be released in a special Nine Inch Nails edition. Several new apps have also been released that help people stay in tune with politics. The first Spreadsheet app was released by Softalk this week as well, adding more functionality to the already super-functional device.

But now it seems Apple is singing a different tune. They have dropped the NDA for iPhone software that has already been released. And though they note they had the NDA to protect themselves from theft, they realize it it “created too much of a burden on developers” and was inhibiting creation, basically. Read the full letter below:

To Our Developers

We have decided to drop the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) for released iPhone software.
We put the NDA in place because the iPhone OS includes many Apple inventions and innovations that we would like to protect, so that others don’t steal our work. It has happened before. While we have filed for hundreds of patents on iPhone technology, the NDA added yet another level of protection. We put it in place as one more way to help protect the iPhone from being ripped off by others.

However, the NDA has created too much of a burden on developers, authors and others interested in helping further the iPhone’s success, so we are dropping it for released software. Developers will receive a new agreement without an NDA covering released software within a week or so. Please note that unreleased software and features will remain under NDA until they are released.

Thanks to everyone who provided us constructive feedback on this matter.

 
[via SlashPhone]