Novell is all set to revolutionize the iPhone apps by releasing MonoTouch 1.0 SDK. The development kit can be used by app developers to design applications for the iPhone and iPod Touch employing the Microsoft .NET framework, including C# along with others. Previously, the iPhone apps were developed using C and Objective-C programming languages.
The MonoTouch 1.0 enables .Net developers to enter into the app development arena and design a diverse range of iPhone applications. iPhone development is now made easier with MonTouch that facilitates developers to exploit the code and libraries written for the .NET development framework and programming languages such as C#.
“The vast majority of Windows-centric developers, ISVs and IT organizations have chosen the C# language and .NET for development. As such we have seen tremendous demand for tools to build .NET-based iPhone applications. We developed MonoTouch in response to this demand, giving both individual developers and businesses a solution that breaks down the barriers to iPhone application development,” commented Miguel de Icaza, Mono project founder and Developer Platform vice president at Novell.
Individual .NET developers and independent software vendors can now sell their products in a new market. However, corporate developers and IT organizations can set their applications in a new mobile computing environment. Earlier the iPhone application development was closed for .NET and Mono developers since the iPhone developer program license prohibits developers from distributing scripting engines or JIT compilers.
MonoTouch delivers only native code, therefore users can now employ the SDK that fully complies with the license terms. The Novell SDK comprises of a suite of compilers, libraries and tools for integration with Apple’s iPhone SDK. It also includes Microsoft .NET base class libraries, managed libraries as well as cross-compiler that can be used for converting .NET executable files and libraries into native applications for distribution on the Apple Apps Store.
The MonoTouch personal and enterprise editions are retailed on Novell’s official website. The enterprise edition comes at a price of $999 per developer for one year subscription and is inclusive of maintenance and updates. Five developer enterprise license that supports five developers concurrently is also available for $3,999 per year. However, the MonoTouch personal edition can be purchased for $399 per developer for one year subscription.