My Take on the iPhone SDK Announcement

Today's big news in the tech world undoubtedly came from Apple, with their announcement of the iPhone/iPod Touch Software Developer's Kit (SDK). Admittedly, I am probably not completely aware of all he pieces of the announcement (there are many). However, I would like to take some time to reflect on what this announcement means.

The SDK has been highly sought after since Apple announced it would be coming. Up until now, very few third party applications have been available for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Unlike other portable platforms, Apple's has a tremendous amount of potential and there is certainly a large pool of developers looking to develop for the iPhone. Although I do not own an iPhone or an iPod Touch (I am waiting for a $399 32GB iPod Touch), the added capability brought to the table by third party software is a major plus for the iPhone. Clearly the interface can facilitate many different utilities and programs Apple has not yet provided and that will be useful to have in your pocket.

The ability for third-party developers to add capability to the iPhone as they see fit is the best way for Apple to insure that the product stays cutting-edge and ahead of the market (with the exception of additional necessary hardware upgrades). I was glad to see that Apple
did not go the way of some of the rumors before the announcement suggested, where Apple would control what applications developers created would be available to iPhone/iPod Touch users. They did announce the App Store, which will be an application on the iPhone that allows the user to pick through a huge library of for-pay and free software for their iPhone. This does allow Apple some control over what products are most accessible to the users, but if it is done
like Apple's current Download section for Mac Desktops, it will be an extremely useful one-stop location for applications compatible with the device, without stifling independently designed software ideas.

From here on out, it will be interesting to see what kinds of apps developers come up with and how these new capabilities change the habits of iPhone users and change the minds of potential adopters.

Mac

Much of the previous content I featured on this blog was focused on
Linux. Since that time, Linux has evolved into a more advanced
operating system and is in a position to gain wider use in many
embedded and desktop (as well as server) applications. While it
certainly has its own uses, I have recently purchased a MacBook Pro
and become a fully-initiated member of the Cult of Mac. While I intend
to move this blog toward a greater focus on Mac and Apple news, I
still have a huge interest in other computer topics, and my posts to
this blog will reflect that. I hope you will stay tuned as a begin to
post new tips and tricks for Macs as well as more captivating articles
on all things tech.

Check back soon for my article on the upcoming MacWorld conference,
which should have some huge surprises in store. I will be giving my
take on the rumors, since it seems everyone has their own opinion on
just what Steve Jobs has up his sleeve this time.

Back Online

Well, after over a year since my last post and even longer since the
Killer Tech site was routinely updated, I am returning to the blogging
scene. I have a lot of new material I want to share on this blog and
intend to bring it in a new direction while maintaining the same kind
of interesting content that helped this blog reach over 5,000 unique
visits in the last two years. Be sure to check back often because all
sorts of new information, all tech related, but not necessarily as
tightly focused as before) in the near future. I hope you enjoy the
new content I will be bringing to this blog, and I encourage you as
always to share the information with others and to comment and
interact with me on the blog and elsewhere.

New Killer Tech Forums

I have set up a new PHPbb discussion forum on Jconserv.net. This will ad an additional way for readers of this blog to interact. The forum is primarily geared for the same topics covered on this forum: tech, computers, gadgets, and hacks. However, other topics can be discussed in the Off Topic forum. I hope any of our regular readers will take a dvantage of our forums.

In addition, I hope to begin updating the blog more regularly now.

Tech News RSS Feed

I used FeedBlendr to roll up 23 of the best technology-related news sites and blogs into one easy feed URL. I know I will have missed something that someone would like to see in it, but at least its a start. Enjoy!

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What Application Do You Want Ported to Linux?

Novell's Cool Solutions posted a survey asking people what Windows-only applications they are using that prevent them from switching to Linux. The survey also asks current Linux users what Windows-only applications they would like to see ported to Linux.

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.Mac service for Ubuntu

Several Ubuntu members are planning and doing work for a .Mac-Like service for Ubuntu. This type of service would allow you to access email. files, news, and bookmarks on multiple Ubuntu computers using an account with storage on the remote server. The .Mac service is a service that has been around for a while for Apple users to transfer files and email between computers.

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Google Zeitgiest: End of '05

Google has released its Zeitgeist for the year 2005, providing several interesting trends between events and search queries. It is truly interesting how what we search for is effected by what is happening in the world. Definitely check it out!

http://www.google.com/intl/en/press/zeitgeist2005.html

Get an AJAX-based desktop

Get an entire desktop with simple applications over the Internt

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Swiss government switches 3,000 systems to Linux

Novell Inc. Tuesday announced an agreement with the government of Switzerland to replace the software in 3,000 of its servers with the company's SUSE Linux operating system.

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