QuantumSTEP vs iPhoneSDK

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Some definitions

  • [mySTEP] is the GNUstep based GUI toolkit (i.e. frameworks) extended by QuantumSTEP (which adds an application suite e.g. for address book, calendar, mail, etc.) to develop applications for Linux/X11 based handheld devices (i.e. Sharp Zaurus, OpenMoko Phone)
  • iPhone SDK is the Apple SDK to develop native applications for the iPhone and the iPod Touch

Comparison

QuantumSTEP iPhone SDK
Availability continuous progress since 2003 (mySTEP) beta now, final June 2008
Frameworks Foundation, full AppKit, Small WebKit, PDFKit, IOBluetooth, X11 (Render), SQLite (Core) Foundation, UIKit, WebKit, Core Audio, Core Animation, OpenAL, OpenGL, SQLite
SDK cost free (cross-gcc, etc.) free (by registration only)
Simulator not required (100% same source code) included (since Apps don't run natively on a Mac)
Development Systems Mac: Xcode 2.4 or later, Interface Builder, Xtoolchain

Linux: Project Center, GORM coming

Intel Mac: Xcode 3.1, (Interface Builder coming)

Linux: no

Minimum gcc 2.95.3 (with Obj-C 1.0) 4.x (with Obj-C 2.0)
Distribution of your App free and open as you like and need only through „App Store“ at 99$-299$/year + revenue sharing
Developer Program none, but www.gnustep.org appears to be initially limited and US only
Devices Sharp Zaurus, OpenMoko, Acer n30, more to come iPhone, iPod Touch, (more to expect, e.g. Tablet?)
GUI-Design Interface Builder by Code (IB coming)
License LGPL NDA
Restrictions none imposed by project type of applications is restricted (i.e. no download of other executables)
Addressable Deployments (E2008) 10k ... 1 Mio (estimated range of OpenMoko or other devices with Linux/X11 capable of using mySTEP) ca. 10 Mio
Backed by FSF GNUstep project, quantum-step.com Apple
Portability Source can be (re)used on Mac, Linux, Windows needs complete GUI rewrite of existing applications, even if Cocoa based