Getting your iPhone is just the beginning. When you tap into the world of 3rd party iPhone applications is when your iPhone starts developing its own personality.

From the moment Steve Jobs unveiled the elusive iPhone at the MacWorld Expo in 2007, software developers over the world began salivating at the prospect of creating applications for this revolutionary device.

Initially, their dreams of custom applications for the iPhone were not to be. Apple decided that the iPhone system would be completely closed, although they did partner with some big names for certain programs, such as Google Maps.

Soon enough, Apple’s dreams of a secure iPhone OS were squashed by enterprising hackers. Not only did they discover how to jailbreak the iPhone from its ties to network AT&T, users could now create, load, install and custom make applications for their iPhone.

Apple finally took notice. Alongside the launch of the iPod touch in 2007, Apple announced the ability for developers to create Web Apps – or applications that run through the Safari browser. More importantly, Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone Software Developer’s Kit (SDK) in March 2008.

Of course, Apple placed some restrictions on the processes involved in creating applications and also how they are distributed to the end user. Developers can create their applications, but they can only be sold through the iTunes App Store, which helps Apple act as a gatekeeper against malicious programs, as well as make more money out of the iPhone.