Apple is being very close-to-the-vest with both the iPhone's full capabilities as well as plans for opening the device to developers. It's a delicate balance between ensuring the launch success, system security and reliability, and the tremendous opportunities for Apple Developers. However, there are indications that point to the iPhone ultimately as a platform, according to PC Magazine on Thursday.

The buzz about the iPhone is reaching extreme levels, and as a result, the curiosity about just how Apple will handle the opportunity for developers is on the minds of many.

Bryan Gardiner, in a sweeping recap of the history of Apple's approach to developer opportunities with the iPhone, wrote that Apple will make a big announcement next week at Apple's World Wide Developer Conference. The key, according to Mr. Gardiner, will be a tool that allows developers to "convert programs written for the Mac to run on the iPhone."

Despite the likely keen interest in some convenient and useful add-on apps, Apple still must proceed with caution. "...the company may also want the chance to properly define the iPhone UI experience for others, let them grow accustomed to what a real iPhone-style application feels like, and then start planning for the future. This could very well account for Jobs' reticence about third-party development," Mr. Gardiner wrote.

"So open, closed, semi-open; all indications point to the iPhone-as-platform model at this point. That's certainly good news for developers, who undoubtedly want a crack at making software for this new and innovative device."