Hackers have reportedly discovered the key which allows the installation of applications on the iPhone using iTunes. The report comes from two tipsters at The Unofficial Apple Weblog. The same Application SDK key has also been posted to Digg, where it's still available right now.
This is big news for hackers, but not because it lets them put apps onto an iPhone. There are several ways to do that already using a jailbroken iPhone. Official iPhone applications will be submitted to Apple and subject to its verification process. This gives Apple a chance to double-check the code. Then, iPhone users will be able to browse, purchase and install "blessed" apps using iTunes. This signature key is required for the iTunes-powered installation.
Or at least, a signature key. Probably not this one. While it's a step towards being able to test out the iTunes delivery process, many are pointing out that Apple will almost certainly replace this key with a new, more secure version when the official SDK is released.
Considering such a key makes it possible to slip malware or broken apps onto consumer devices using a widely-loved piece of consumer software as the installer, almost everyone agrees that's a good thing.
Furthermore, as the Digg user Winnich points out: "I can tell you, just like Linux, 97% of the population won't really care about all this work once they can have polished, well-working, hack-free, well-designed apps from developers."
Which will happen in less than one month.
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Thanks to the Gadget Lab for the pic.*
