Like most iPhone devs today, I fired up Safari and started downloading iPhone 3.0 Software BETA immediatly after the announcement this morning. 100 new user features and 1000 new developer APIs is nothing to sneeze at! This is no minor point update, but a feature packed upgrade.

Of course, in doing so I signed an NDA not to discuss it though blogs everywhere will no doubt buzz about the new developments anyway citing “a reliable friend” I will simply show you what’s involved in getting the new 3.0 BETA software today instead of waiting for North America’s summer for the official release.

STEP 1 : Sign up as a developer on http://developer.apple.com/iphone/. The BETA is only available to developers who have paid the $99 fee which allows you to run your test apps on the iPhone instead of in the simulator. If you are curious about iPhone development or *really* want the 3.0 BETA without jailbreak, you’ll need to shell out the cash. You will also get access to a vast array of documentation, videos and code on the apple iPhone develoeprs site.

STEP 2 : Once you are signed up and logged in (It may take 24 hours for apple to approve) Download the iPhone SDK if you haven’t already and download the DMG for the iPhone 3.0 Software. If you already have the iPhone SDK you don’t actually need the new SDK to do this and can save yourself the 2.1GB download if you want to get right down to it.

STEP 3: Open the DMG with the IPSW image and open X-Code and head to the “Organizer” window. Plug in your iPhone and it should should up there, click on it.

STEP 4: Where it has software version in the drop down menu, select “Other Version” and browse to your mounted DMG with the IPSW.

STEP 5: Take a deep breath and hit restore! I’d probably make sure you have your contact exported and all your other media nicely organized for re-syncing when it comes back, because it will be blank. Don’t interrupt this step.

STEP 6: Open iTunes when your iPhone restarts and it will activate again, allowing you to make calls etc.

STEP 7: Finally, sync all your media back and start playing! Without saying anything to breach the NDA lets just say be prepared to reboot now and then and remember it is BETA!

Have fun!

About Me: Anish Kumar:
Mac OS X software development is my bread winner with over 6 years of experience. Expertise in Color Management, TWAIN Scanner drivers on Mac OS X, Photoshop Filter and Import Plugin development on Mac OS X, iPhone. As an hobby I love to work on PHP, Flex, AIR, Photoshop. Check the 'About' page for more.