Apple Previews iPhone Firmware 2.0, Additional SDK Notes

At today's Worldwide Developer Conference Keynote address, Apple previewed iPhone Firmware 2.0 and highlighted some additional features of the developer SDK.

New Features
In addition to features that were previewed at the iPhone Software Roadmap event, Apple announced new features of Firmware 2.0 and the SDK, including:

- contact searching
- complete iWork document support
- complete Office document support (now includes PowerPoint)
- bulk delete and move for Mail
- save images you receive
- scientific calculator in landscape mode
- parental controls
- language

In addition, Apple announced a method for developers to have their applications receive information while not in use. Apple had previously said that they would not allow background applications to run on the iPhone, to the widespread dismay of developers who need such functionality to server-side information. As a response, Apple has implemented a notification feature into the SDK which will allow applications to be alerted of server-side events (i.e. new IM received, new mail, etc) without having to run in the background and eat CPU cycles. This functionality is scheduled to be delivered in September, however it will be seeded to developers "soon."

Availability
iPhone Firmware 2.0 will be available for free to existing iPhone customers in "early July". The firmware will also be available for iPod Touch users for $9.95.