Waiting for iPhone...

It's two days until the UK and German iPhone launch which means that its time for some more iPhone Reviews.  The Guardian publishes the Part III of its iPhone review (Part I, Part II, Part III).  The BBC takes a different approach discussing how competitors have responded to the iPhone with the now typical comments from phone makers that they are not too worried about the iPhone (and I have this land in Florida I'd like to sell you...).

Elsewhere, we've got a plea for Apple to enable the ability to turn off the phone but keep the WiFi on. And a ponder about how long AT&T will continue to prominently promote the iPhone. On a related note it appears there's a touch screen shortage.

Finally, there's this  column about how Apple should allow 3rd party application support and not kill them off with the anticipated iPhone software update. 

Now, I am of two minds on this.  I don't think Apple should worry about killing off iPhone hacks.  I know first hand how difficult it is sometimes to support a product.  If you tacitly allow folks to use you product in a way it was not intended to be used or, in a way you specifically told them you would not support its use, then, to be honest, they get what they deserve.  No complaining. 

On the other hand, not allowing development on the iPhone on day 1 was a big  mistake on Apple's part.  The iPhone was released with fan fair and hype as the next big thing and positioned as a big part of the future of Apple.  By not including its developers in this it not sent the wrong message, but the "use webkit and build web apps" was a BS attempt by Apple to make it look like Apple was responding to developer concerns. 

Of course, Apple says it will rectify things in February with the release of the iPhone SDK, but it has got to be a tough decision on Apple's part - do they kill all hacks or do they allow iPhone/iPod Touch 3rd party application hacks but just kill SIM card unlock hacks? 

Right now, I guess the answer is kill all hacks.  I suspect that Apple will have to worry about this  for one more software update cycle.  After that, Apple will kill all SIM card hacks and the SDK will take care of everything else.  Now, what exactly the SDK will allow and how it will allow it is another story...