Apple Publishes Then Kills Latest iPad SDKApple Publishes Then Kills Latest iPad SDK

On Feb. 23 Apple released a third beta version of the iPhone OS 3.2 software development kit for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. It wasn't available long, however. Apple pulled the updated beta SDK mere hours after it went live. Thankfully, a few developers were able to download it before the link went dead. They found a few interesting details buried inside.Perhaps the most significant finding in the new iPad SDK was more mention of support for a camera. Previous SDKs had dropped a few hints, but this latest one offers additional proof that a camera may become part of the iPad's future. The iPad 3.2 beta 3 SDK includes a new version of the Photos application. That app, according to developers, can automatically detect a camera if present.

There are also new tips that make note of video chatting capabilities. These features are embedded in the SDK's telephone software. The Wi-Fi version of the iPad does not include a cellular modem, but the 3G version will. Would video chatting be limited to models with 3G on board? Video chatting would more or less require a user-facing camera. Neither the iPhone nor iPad has one.

Why would Apple include such software if no user-facing camera is built into the device? Is Apple going to surprise everyone with an embedded camera when the iPad launches? Is it preparing a way for the iPad and iPhone to interact and make use of one another's hardware? We simply don't know yet.

The last significant finding in the new SDK is a tool that will help developers create an application and easily port it to all three platforms (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch). This will save developers time and reduce the time-to-market for creating applications for all three devices.

Apple has not explained why the SDK was pulled, nor has it said when it will become available again.

[Via Ars Techinca]