iPhone SDK coming in Feb.

[Apple.com] 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. We are excited about creating a vibrant third party developer community around the iPhone and enabling hundreds of new applications for our users. With our revolutionary multi-touch interface, powerful hardware and advanced software architecture, we believe we have created the best mobile platform ever for developers.

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. Some claim that viruses and malware are not a problem on mobile phones—this is simply not true. There have been serious viruses on other mobile phones already, including some that silently spread from phone to phone over the cell network. As our phones become more powerful, these malicious programs will become more dangerous. And since the iPhone is the most advanced phone ever, it will be a highly visible target.

Some companies are already taking action. Nokia, for example, is not allowing any applications to be loaded onto some of their newest phones unless they have a digital signature that can be traced back to a known developer. While this makes such a phone less than “totally open,” we believe it is a step in the right direction. We are working on an advanced system which will offer developers broad access to natively program the iPhone’s amazing software platform while at the same time protecting users from malicious programs.

We think a few months of patience now will be rewarded by many years of great third party applications running on safe and reliable iPhones.

Steve

P.S.: The SDK will also allow developers to create applications for iPod touch. [Oct 17, 2007]

iPhone highly susceptible to malware

[Newsfactor] "A rootkit takes on a whole new meaning when the attacker has access to the camera, microphone, contact list, and phone hardware," renowned hacker HD Moore said regarding a security vulnerability in Apple's iPhone. "Couple this with 'always-on' Internet access over EDGE and you have a perfect spying device," he added.

Ubuntu trying to break open the desktop for Linux

[Newsfactor] With a new version of the Ubuntu Linux distribution coming out on Thursday, some might be wondering what chance the OS might have against behemoths Microsoft and Apple? "If anybody has a chance of succeeding with a desktop Linux," said Charles King, principal analyst with Pund-IT, "Ubuntu is at the head of the line."

Skype, under eBay control, cuts deal with MySpace

[InfoWeek] There is probably minimal overlap among Skype's 220 million registered users and MySpace's 110 million monthly users, but the potential is there -- particularly for teenage MySpace users, who may want to call their friends, often impulsively.

Facebook comes to terms with NY attorney general

[Wired] Facebook has apparently made good with the New York State attorney general who has been investigating the site's response and handling of complaints as part of a child safety probe.

Telephony opportunity calling for MSFT

[BizWeek] nstead of selling an end-to-end system that directs calls to the proper extensions, stores an employee directory, and connects conference calls, Microsoft will embed those features in the new software to interact with its e-mail, word processing, and mobile-phone applications, as well as programs made by partners. "We've got a very different way of being able to do things," Gates said.

Lantos says YHOO lied about Chinese arrest

[ZDNet] “We want to clarify how that happened, and to hold the company to account for its actions both before and after its testimony proved untrue. “And we want to examine what steps the company has taken since then to protect the privacy rights of its users in China.”