iPhone SDK running late, will not see February release

But Steve promised...

25 February 2008 8:48 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Back in October, amid controversy of Apple "bricking" unlocked iPhones, Apple boss Steve Jobs appeased many by promising an software development kit for the phone early this year, stating:

"We want native third party applications on the iPhone, and we plan to have an SDK in developers' hands in February.

It will take until February to release an SDK because we’re trying to do two diametrically opposed things at once — provide an advanced and open platform to developers while at the same time protect iPhone users from viruses, malware, privacy attacks, etc. This is no easy task."

With just a week left to go of said month, and rumours of a big Apple event on Tuesday 26th February apparently come to nothing, Business Week is reporting that the SDK is running late.

"I’m hearing from one source that its going to be late. I’m not yet hearing any reasons why, and it’s sounding like the official release date could slide by anywhere from one to three weeks."

Although, according to the sources, things are "fluid" and "a lot of last-minute decisions are close to being made about what precisely will or will not be disclosed next week, if anything."

For Jobs to keep his promise to developers, they are going to have to hustle to make the deadline. We will keep you informed...