Apple releases SDK beta 2 for iPhone and iPod Touch

Apple has just released the second beta version of the software development kit for building applications for the iPhone and the iPod Touch. Free sign up as a Registered iPhone Developer is required to download the iPhone SDK.

The iPhone Developer Program provides a complete and integrated process for developing, debugging, and distributing free, commercial, or in-house applications for iPhone and iPod touch.

The second beta version of the iPhone SDK includes Interface Builder, Xcode IDE, Instruments, iPhone simulator, frameworks and samples, compilers, and Shark analysis tool.

The Interface Builder is an application for designing and testing user interfaces. Developers can use Interface Builder to create user interfaces that follow the Mac OS X human-interface guidelines by dragging user-interface elements from a palette of predefined controls and dropping them into the window or view they are configuring.

According to Apple: “Complete with development resources, real-world testing on iPhone, and distribution on the App Store, developers have everything they need to go from code to customer.”

The final version of the SDK is expected to ship in June along with new versions of the iPhone and iPod. At that time,  iPhone is expected to be compatible with Microsoft’s Exchange e-mail platform.

Apple says “this second beta is known to be incompatible with installation folders other than the default /Developer.”