By Sharla Sikes

Apple’s Sept. 27 iPhone software update disabled all third-party applications (which allow VoIP).

That didn’t go over so well with many iPhone users.

So Apple changed its mind—something it’s done a lot of this year—and opened the iPhone back up.

Apple gave up control of iPhone applications and even will offer a software development kit for programmers to create applications. Apple expects to release the software kit—which will also work on the iPod Touch—in February.

“Let me just say it: We want native third party applications on the iPhone, and we plan to have an SDK in developers’ hands in February. We are excited about creating a vibrant third-party developer community around the iPhone and enabling hundreds of new applications for our users,” Apple CEO Steve Jobs said in a posting on Apple’s site.

Apple says the delay in the software kit’s release is “because the company wants to give developers an open platform and also protect iPhone users from viruses, malware and privacy attacks.”

“I’m thrilled,” said Erica Sadun, a Denver computer programmer. “I hope it is exactly as they say, full third-party development.

The iPhone has been hacked numerous times since its release for bragging rights as well as functionality, but the installations weren’t without risk. The phones that were hacked in order to unlock them for use on other networks were disabled by the update.

Apple rivals Palm and Nokia are split on the third-party application issue: Palm encourages developers to create applications for the handheld computer, while Nokia keeps its handsets closed without a “digital signature” by which to trace the developer.

Perhaps it is a difference in outlook between the portable computer and cell phone markets.

In a strange bit of news unrelated to third-party applications, an environmental group in California has threatened to sue Apple for not making the iPhone “greener.”

A report from Greenpeace alleges that “toxins” in the phone’s plastic case are greater than what’s allowed in toys or childcare items sold in Europe. Shortly after Greenpeace published its report, another group, the Center for Environmental Health, threatened to take Apple to court. The group insists Apple either make its phone “greener” or alert customers to the supposed toxins.

Interestingly, recent Nobel-winner Al Gore is an Apple board member.

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