Apple has finally given users the chance to develop third party apps by releasing the iPhone software development kit, otherwise known as an SDK. The SDK allows software developers to program and run their own software applications that can be run on their iPhones or iPod Touch. This allows the addition of features that were left out or forgotten by Apple, such as instant messaging clients an to do lists. However, many experts believe that Apple is shooting themselves in the foot with the restrictions and limitations they have put on the iPhone development method. The major restriction on the iPhone development environment is that it blocks the running of simultaneous tasks. Though the reasons vary, maybe Apple doesn’t trust its user developed applications, or maybe it wants to keep the best software for itself.

Experts argue that the iPhone is a smart phone, and its ability, or rather, inability, to multitask, is a major put down for businessmen and woman who need the ability to be up to date in this fast changing world. This gives Apple’s competition, mainly the Blackberry, a major advantage as it is more business oriented and conforms to the needs of its users.

Whatever the reasons, Apple may need to reconsider the restrictions it has put in place for the software development environment. In the long run it may drastically hurt iPhone sales in the upcoming months, especially when plans of a 3G iPhone are already in the works.