Apple to release iPhone/iPod Touch SDK in February

In more Apple news today, Steve Jobs wrote on the Hot News page at the Apple website that Apple will be releasing a true SDK for the iPhone/iPod Touch to allow 3rd party developers to make native applications starting February of next year.

It will take until February to release an SDK because we’re trying to do two diametrically opposed things at once—provide an advanced and open platform to developers while at the same time protect iPhone users from viruses, malware, privacy attacks, etc. This is no easy task. Some claim that viruses and malware are not a problem on mobile phones—this is simply not true. There have been serious viruses on other mobile phones already, including some that silently spread from phone to phone over the cell network. As our phones become more powerful, these malicious programs will become more dangerous. And since the iPhone is the most advanced phone ever, it will be a highly visible target.

Seems they'll go with a certification process like most of the rumour sites have been predicting, in which 3rd party developers will submit their apps to Apple for approval before they'll be able to install on the iPhone/iPod Touch.