We’ve got two big bits of news lined up today for the guys keen on developing their own software on the Apple iPhone. The first matter we’re reporting is that a new version of the iPhone’s 2.0 Beta firmware (aka firmware 1.2) has been released.

This new build, dubbed version 5A240d, will carry updates focused on Exchange support (according to MacRumors). In line with this news, Apple’s also released iPhone SDK Beta 3. We advice the users to clear some room - if the Beta 2 SDK’s release indicates anything, it’s going to require a ton of space on your hard drive.

We also remind the readers that the iPhone firmware 2.0’s public release is currently set for the month of June, at about the same time as Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference 2008. Drop by again in case we run into any more updates. The download for the iPhone’s SDK Beta 3 is available via the source link below.

Apple has released a new version of the iPhone SDK, this one labeled build 9M2158a, beta 3. The previous build was labeled 5A225c. We’re not yet sure what’s included in the new release, but we are receiving reports from developers indicating that iPhones legally running the pre-release 2.0 beta software, build 5A225c, were been remotely disabled by Apple and can be restored to full functionality using the new build of the device-installable OS — which is labeled 5A240d. Apple’s notes, according to developers, state that the SDK update “fixes bugs and adds support for the latest iPhone OS.” Regarding the remote disablement, Apple’s documentation states: “Once you install the pre-release iPhone OS on your device, such device may only be used for development and testing purposes until the final (GM) version of the iPhone OS is released. In addition, you will need to install new versions of the software from time to time throughout the beta period. Failure to install the most current version will, after a period of time, put your device in a deactivated state.” iPhones that are unlocked and “pwned” are not subject to Apple’s remote lockdown.

With the introduction of an Interface Builder and revised APIs, which debuted in Apple’s second beta edition of the iPhone software development kit (SDK) yesterday, developers have a more complete set of tools for putting their code into realistic operation under the included “Aspen” Simulator. Below is a video demonstration of PhotoBoard, an application that started its life under the “Jailbreak” umbrella, and was then ported to the official SDK. The program presents a grid surface upon which photos from the user library can be laid. The grid can then be navigated, and photos rotated and manipulated. It’s essentially akin to Microsoft’s Surface in look and feel. [If you’re on an iPhone, click here to view the video]

The iPhone is definitely turning into an enterprise heavyweight. Tom Gibbons, head of Microsoft's Specialized Devices and Applications Group (which houses their Mac developers) confirmed to Fortune that Microsoft is looking at bringing native Office apps to the iPhone with the SDK: "To the extent that Mac Office customers have functionality that they need in that environment, we're actually in the process of trying to understand that now." And why wouldn't they? On top of Office apps, TellMe, which Microsoft picked up last year, does voice recognition software, mostly for Windows Mobile, but their general manager said that they're "absolutely going to get a version out there as soon as we can, get TellMe out there on the iPhone." So yes, Microsoft plans to be all over your iPhone.

It seems like only yesterday Apple’s servers were overwhelmed by the unbridled lust of developers, feverishly downloading the newly released iPhone SDK, going offline and back again like cheap Christmas tree lights. Today Apple is reporting that over 100,000 SDK downloads have been made in a span of just four days.