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01 December 2007

What the iPhone/iTouch SDK will mean

I have been thinking since my last posting on the limits of the iSDK, and I have put together a chart of what may be feasible and what probably is not (this is all conjecture based on guesswork).

  • Connect to the internet over EDGE (iPhone only):
    This probably cannot be done, thanks to the rumored limits on the SDK. Most likely apps will not be able to access the low level EDGE connection and share it with a laptop.
  • Wireless exchange of files with a computer:
    Probably, over bluetooth or WiFi, as apps will need some way to communicate with other devices (including computers)
  • Disk Mode:
    I think that this may be possible in a limited way, a.k.a. Access all directories except for /System, /tmp, /usr, /etc, etc.. Apple would have to move their applications into /System/Library/CoreServices/, just like on a desktop mac.
  • Wireless Sync:
    Probably not, as 802.11g is only 54 mbps, which may seem fast, but the experience would be similar to 7 MB per second, compared to USB 2.0 speeds of 60 MB per second. Oh, and you would need wires to charge it with, so there are two differences: ten times slower and only needs to be plugged into a wall, not your computer.
  • Microsoft provided MAPI protocol:
    Anything is possible
  • FREE Microsoft provided MAPI protocol:
    OK, maybe not anything
  • "Productivity" Apps (Office, etc.):
    Possibly, though we have viewers for Word and Excel documents, and PowerPoints can be exported to PDF for viewing on the iPhone. My guess is that that is good enough.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

I am hoping that the API will allow for wireless syncing.
Especially for podcasts unless this is already allowed. I just got my iTouch and am really anxious to see its limitations.