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Will the iPhone OS 4.0 SDK be released in March?

Earlier today, Steve & Co. announced that the wifi-only iPad would be “shipping within 60 days” and the 3G-capable models coming within 30 days after that.  That 60 day time frame puts us at Sunday, March 28th.  Looking at past product launches and store availability, we can see that the original iPhone was made available on a Friday, while the original iPod touch was made available on a Thursday.  Knowing Apple like we do (and using past availability patterns), we can assume that the iPad will most likely become available in stores on Thursday, March 26th or Friday, the 27th.  But why does all this matter?  Well…

The iPhone OS 3.0 SDK was launched on March 17, 2009 which brought MMS, Copy & Paste, and many other features.  A year earlier, the iPhone OS 2.0 SDK was launched on March 6, 2008 which brought Exchange support, Remote Wipe, and obviously the ability to program apps through the later-released App Store.  With the iPad SDK not being compatible with iPhones and iPod touch, one could make the safe assumption that Apple will release a new SDK (4.0?) sometime in early to mid-March.  That’s not it though…

In February 2008, the iPhone and iPod touch received storage upgrades.  With the iPod touch missing a camera (that seemed to be a lock in the days before the 3rd gen.’s launch), it would seem early to mid march would be a perfect timeframe for Apple to bring the camera into the product line.  Furthermore, with an awkward gap currently in the line (8GB 2nd gen., 32GB 3rd gen., and 64GB 3rd gen.), it would also be conceivable to see Apple bring a 16GB model to the scene in the 3rd gen. form.

Just over a week ago, BGR seemed to believe that the 4.0 SDK would be launched today (see screenshot below), so perhaps they got word of the launch, but guessed the timing wrong.

iphone-4-os.jpg

What do you think?  Will Apple bring the iPhone OS 4.0 SDK to developers in March prior to the iPad’s launch?  What about a 16GB iPod touch with a camera?  Feel free to share your thoughts/guesses/tips/inside information below.

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