It's certainly possible to develop on a Windows machine, in fact, my first application was exclusively developed on the old Dell Precision I had at the time :)
There are three routes;
- Install OSx86 (aka iATKOS / Kalyway) on a second partition/disk and dual boot.
- Run Mac OS X Server under VMWare (Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion) onwards, read the update below).
- Use Delphi XE4 and the macincloud service. This is a commercial toolset, but the component and lib support is growing.
The first route requires modifying (or using a pre-modified) image of Leopard that can be installed on a regular PC. This is not as hard as you would think, although your success/effort ratio will depend upon how closely the hardware in your PC matches that in Mac hardware - e.g. if you're running a Core 2 Duo on an Intel Motherboard, with an NVidia graphics card you are laughing. If you're running an AMD machine or something without SSE3 it gets a little more involved.
If you purchase (or already own) a version of Leopard then this is a gray area since the Leopard EULA states you may only run it on an "Apple Labeled" machine. As many point out if you stick an Apple sticker on your PC you're probably covered.
The second option is more costly. The EULA for the workstation version of Leopard prevents it from being run under emulation and as a result, there's no support in VMWare for this. Leopard server, however, CAN be run under emulation and can be used for desktop purposes. Leopard server and VMWare are expensive, however.
If you're interested in option 1) I would suggest starting at Insanelymac and reading the OSx86 sections.
I do think you should consider whether the time you will invest is going to be worth the money you will save though. It was for me because I enjoy tinkering with this type of stuff and I started during the early iPhone betas, months before their App Store became available.
Alternatively, you could pick up a low-spec Mac Mini from eBay. You don't need much horsepower to run the SDK and you can always sell it on later if you decide to stop development or buy a better Mac.
Update: You cannot create a Mac OS X Client virtual machine for OS X 10.6 and earlier. Apple does not allow these Client OSes to be virtualized. With Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion) onwards, Apple has changed its licensing agreement in regards to virtualization. Source: VMWare KnowledgeBase
The iPod touch is missing:
- GPS
- Bluetooth (iPod Touch 4G has Bluetooth)
- Cellular network
- Camera (iPod Touch 4G has front and back cameras)
- Microphone (thanks John Topley) (iPod Touch 4G has headset with microphone)
- Vibration
- The 1G is lacking a speaker
On the plus side it weighs a bit less and is a bit smaller.. Other than that they are pretty much identical (no sarcasm here; it still has the same processor, OS, control system, and display) Personally I would get an iPhone, as you will probably end up getting one later on anyway. I have an iPod touch (bought first) and an iPhone. I never use the iPod anymore.
The iPod touch is obviously cheaper than the iPhone, and there is no contract necessary. However, at least in the UK you can get a contract-free iPhone, and you should be able to do so soon on AT&T in the USA.
There are no extra costs besides the $99 for application development (which is a yearly fee)
We are developing from the UK. One issue to be aware of when you eventually sell your application is tax withholding - Apple will retain 30% of your revenues. There are some forms you need to fill out - I dealt with this in another thread. Here's what I wrote there:
You need to fill out a W-8BEN and give it to Apple to avoid a 30% tax withholding. This requires that you have a SSN (Social Security Number). If, and only if, you do not have an SSN, you may supply an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) or an EIN (Employer ID Number).
To get an ITIN, you need to fill out form W7 and submit that to the IRS.
Best Answer
You can still develop on a phone after it's jailbroken. You can also still develop on a phone after it has been unlocked. The difference is important:
Jailbreak: You can install applications not available in the app store.
Unlock: you can run the phone on other networks besides it's default carrier (AT&T when in the USA).
Note that you cannot at this time unlock an iPhone 3g running 2.2.1, which it almost definitely will be if you buy it new. You can jailbreak both iPhone and iPhone 3G.
Also be aware that if you buy a new phone, AT&T will charge you $200 to get OUT of your new contract. I think that goes down by 10 or 20$ each month, so that after a year, it's considerably less costly to get out of the plan.
What I suggest is buying a first generation iPhone on ebay or craigslist. First generation iPhones can all be unlocked, irrespective of whether the previous owner put 2.2.1 on them. Also they are much cheaper, have the camera and are totally fine for software development. I was able to find decent first generation iPhones in Seattle just 2 months ago for about $250 - $350 dollars depending on details. Unlocking/Jailbreaking takes a matter of minutes with QuickPwn, and the phone works great as a development platform.