iPhone accessories and software: What developers are saying

The market for third-party iPhone products (hardware accessories and third-party software) is hazy, to be sure. So far we know that the device will include a standard 30-pin dock connector, making it inherently compatible with a number of third-party devices — though physical size considerations may obviate some. We also know that the iPhone has the capability to run third-party software, based on some leading statements made by Steve Jobs at the Dow Jones D5 conference this past week (specifically that he himself has run third-party apps on the device). Manufacturers of accessories and potential third-party developers have, however, been tight-lipped thus far. So, we talked to some.

Apple has not yet validated any iPhone-compatible accessories and has not released a ‘made for iPhone’ or similar certification to place on accessory packaging according to the manufacturers with whom we spoke. However, several accessory manufacturers are gearing up to be first in line when such certification occurs, and already have products in the pipe.

Dominic DiSanti is a spokesperson for Kensington, which manufactures a bevy of iPod accessories including FM transmitters, speakers, docks and more. He tells us that the company is “working on developing products that will be compatible with the iPhone [...] (and) will be among the first companies to submit products for validation.”

Marware, which manufactures cases for the iPod, says it already has iPhone cases ready to go and plans to ship them immediately after the iPhone is publicly available. Customer Support Manager Carmine Delligatti tells us: “We have several different models of Marware cases for the iPhone. We expect to have shipping product by the time the iPhone launches.”

SendStation, one of initial five iPod accessory manufacturers ever and offically authorized by Apple, says all of its existing iPod accessories will be compatible with the iPhone (barring “big surprise”).”

Company spokesperson André Klein also says some under-wraps projects are on the way: “Furthermore we have some great new iPod/iPhone accessories up our sleeve, scheduled for a release this summer. While I can’t provide details, I can say that we’ll soon add an exciting new model to our family of PocketDocks, which we believe will become as essential as headphones and protective cases, especially with the power critical iPhone.”

Unfortunately, with regard to mouth-watering prospect of third-party iPhone applications, there is a little to be said. Apparently anyone who is working on official third-party applications is under tight NDA with Apple and cannot yet release specific product details.

We did, however, talk to some of the companies that develop third-party games for the iPod. Interestingly, a spokesperson for Gameloft — which develops the popular Lost title and a few others for the iPod gave us this chilled response: “We are not currently developing for the iPhone.”

Aside from Google, we wonder who is.

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