Covering the digital giants, by Jon Fortt

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February 27, 2008, 1:06 pm

Apple to unveil iPhone software, enterprise features on March 6

On Wednesday, Apple sent this invitation to its iPhone software launch. Image courtesy of Apple.

Apple (AAPL) on Wednesday sent invitations to its eagerly anticipated iPhone event, where it is expected to unveil tools that will allow developers to write software for the device. The company also hinted that “exciting new enterprise features” would be unveiled at the March 6 gathering on Apple’s campus.

If Apple indeed waits until the event to release the iPhone software development kit, it will be a week later than the company promised. CEO Steve Jobs had said the SDK would be ready by the end of February.

The software news should also apply to Apple’s iPod touch, a gadget that has the media playback and Internet capabilities of the iPhone without the voice communication features.

Aside from the apparent tardiness of the iPhone SDK, the most intriguing thing about the invitation is the hint of enterprise features. Some onlookers have criticized Apple for targeting only consumers with its products, and largely ignoring the needs of businesses, while competitors Research in Motion (RIMM) and Microsoft (MSFT) cater to corporate customers.

In the past, Apple executives have said that companies are free to buy Apple products and bring them into the enterprise, but that supporting the needs of enterprise customers is not Apple’s focus. Those attending the Apple event will be on the lookout for evidence that Apple’s stance on the enterprise is changing, as it looks for ways to expand the appeal of the iPhone.

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Filed under Apple, Enterprise, Mobile Computing, News, Phones

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Woa, some of you guys have some serious attitude problems. Chill.

Posted By Austin, PGH, PA : February 27, 2008 9:13 pm

Ok ok if you still refuse to buy Alcoa like I want yo to.. then I will buy Apple stock to keep it down. Too bad, fellas!

Posted By Gumby, Antioch,CA : February 27, 2008 5:16 pm

When times get tough, Mac users go shopping……to forget all about it…

Posted By Gumby, Antioch, CA : February 27, 2008 5:14 pm

Jon, I was referring to Phil being unable to keep his negative nose out of the comments to this article. You seem pretty defensive about it though, did Apple’s big bounce today cost you some money?

From Jon Fortt: As I’m sure you know, we can’t invest in (or short) companies we cover. So no. Of course not.

Posted By Robert, NYC, NY : February 27, 2008 5:05 pm

So they are a week “late”. That is foolishness. Developers had the SDK in February & that’s what Jobs said in his statement

Posted By Richard, Framingham, MA : February 27, 2008 4:21 pm

As usual, Philip gets OWNED by people who actually know something about what is going on with Apple and their developers.

It’s become painfully apparent at this point that Fortune has it out for Jobs and Co. and is more likely than not that Philip is shorting the stock. Just look at the constant stream of ignorant FUD coming from him.

From Jon Fortt: In case you didn’t notice, Phil didn’t write this. And if you do your homework, I think it’s tough to argue that I’m anti-Apple.

Posted By Robert, NYC, NY : February 27, 2008 4:20 pm

First of all, whether it’s announced/released/whatever Feb 29 or March 6, who cares?

Second, who says it *isn’t* in developers’ hands right now? Jobs didn’t say the SDK would be released into the wild in February. Don’t you think it’s likely that select developers have been working with it already (hint: yes).

Posted By JA Washington, DC : February 27, 2008 3:09 pm

This really is hilarious. The SDK *is* in developer hands NOW. So it is already out in February as Jobs said. As for a public release by end of February, well, March 6th announcement is indeed end of February and beginning of March. By *your* logic in claiming how it is “late”, if the SDK were to be announced on Tuesday of this week, 2/26, would it be “early” then? How about 11PM 2/29/2008? On-time? Are you so desperate for anything BAD that you must bend even a normal invitation to a product launch that is clearly at the end of February to mean something really bad? Wow! That is desperation.

Posted By Tommy, Cupertino, CA : February 27, 2008 3:06 pm

I personally know developers who have been using the iPhone SDK for well over a week. They can’t say so, because they had to sign NDAs in order to get it.

Besides, what would the big deal be if Apple had delivered it the first week of March versus last week of Feb? Just another negative headline for Fortune to throw up to get hits, I guess.

Posted By John, SF, CA : February 27, 2008 2:43 pm

DanielM, who claims Jobs NEVER said the SDK would be ready by the end of February:

From Jobs’ Oct. 17 letter:

Let me just say it: We want native third party applications on the iPhone, and we plan to have an SDK in developers’ hands in February.

Posted By Philip Elmer-DeWitt : February 27, 2008 2:26 pm

“If Apple indeed waits until the event to release the iPhone software development kit, it will be a week later than the company promised. CEO Steve Jobs had said the SDK would be ready by the end of February.”

Jobs NEVER said that. Get your facts straight.

Oh. Sorry about that. It isn’t a fact if it isn’t straight.

From Jon Fortt: Yes, he actually did. Check it: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/07/10/17/steve_jobs_confirms_native_iphone_sdk_by_february.html

Posted By DanielM Toronto, ON, Canada : February 27, 2008 2:10 pm

and the stock price is reflecting the news….
more news to come this year

Posted By lfNYC : February 27, 2008 1:35 pm

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About This Author

A senior writer for Fortune, Jon Fortt focuses on technology and innovation in Silicon Valley - a subject he's been reporting on since his days as a rookie reporter for the Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader. Before joining Fortune in 2007, Jon had reporting and editing stints at Business 2.0 magazine, and the San Jose (Calif.) Mercury News, Silicon Valley's hometown newspaper.