Bugs haunt iPhone SDK, Jobs comes out in sympathy

As Steve Jobs spoke, Apple pushed out a new version of the iPhone SDK to the 4000 developers previously deemed worthy to join the programme. As I type, many of them still haven't got it working properly.

It seems from various concerned threads on the Apple developer forum, problems have been introduced in this version that prevent applications being moved onto a physical iPhone (the simulator within the SDK works fine). As is usual in such matters, some people claim to have fixed the problem and posted fixes while others say that these fixes don't work for them.

"It's almost understandable", one rather disgruntled developer told me, "but definitely a touch of the rushed release syndrome. Releasing a buggered SDK in the middle of your big conference isn't the best thing you can do for your developers."

And this wasn't the only bug-laden system shown off to the world during the keynote. Lots of people noticed that Steve Jobs was absent for much of the time - his presence replaced by an endless stream of application show-and-tells - and when he was on stage, he looked emaciated.

As he was previously very ill with pancreatic cancer, an illness that Apple kept secret until his recovery, the rumours started to fly almost as quickly as the iPhone 3G's spec sheet. Apple's PR felt it wise to issue a statement. According to the Wall Street Journal's Biztech blog:

"In response to a question about his health Tuesday, an Apple spokeswoman said Jobs was hit with a “common bug” in recent weeks but he still felt it was important to participate in the Apple conference. The spokeswoman said he’s now on the mend with the aid of antibiotics."