Appletell

As you know, the new iPhone SDK beta 4 has recently come out, but there is something interesting about this one.  Originally, developers believed that the iPhone would not allow background processes, such as receiving instant messages from one application while in a different one.  A reason for this could possibly be the drain it could cause on the battery, or simply Apple just wanting to keep the device stable.  However, the new SDK beta now supports the UIApplication delegate class which, according to TUAW:

“There are definitely some very interesting methods added to UIApplication’s delegate, including methods for badging the Springboard icon, and methods related to gaining and resigning “active” status - seems like background apps may be permitted somehow.”

So is this concrete proof of background processes, or is this whole idea just blown out of proportion to begin with?  I’ll let you be the judge, but I, for one, sure hope that Apple will allow apps to run in the background.

A few days ago, Apple quietly release the fourth installment of its iPhone Software Development Kit (SDK), and it is available on the Apple Developer Center site. 

The most publicized and prominent change in the newest SDK version are certain changes to the iPhone simulator.  Previously, a developer would be unable to render 3D graphics in the iPhone simulator, and would be forced to test out those changes on the iPhone or iPod touch.  The Simulator now supports OpenGL ES, allowing the previously mentioned rendering to happen within the iPhone simulator, right on your computer.  Another prominent addition to the SDK is code signing, so though invalidated code will work in the iPhone Simulator, it would be worthless on the iPhone. 

Other less significant changes in the SDK include a slimmed down program, while still maintaining the full capabilities of the last version.  Xcode 3.1 has been included, along with UIFont, UIApplication, Audio ToolBox, and more NSXMLParser support.  With 200,000 subscribed developers and counting, you can be sure to expect a good handful of great new apps available when the App Store opens its doors in June

Via [MacNN]