Twice this morning (1, 2), I’ve seen Apple prognostificators theorize that the iPhone SDK (to be unveiled later this week) will allow developers unfettered access to the Phone’s built-in WiFi, but strictly control access to the cell radio.

In other words, most 3rd-party programs for iPhone will be WiFi only.

I don’t think this makes a lick of sense. Half the appeal of the iPhone is the always-on, unlimited internet connectivity over AT&T’s EDGE network. This is one of the key distinctions between iPhone and iPod touch.

It almost makes you wonder what the point would be of letting developers write cool programs for iPhone, but then denying them the best part. I think this is particularly incongruous with Apple COO Tim Cook’s that developers would “only be limited by [their] imagination.”

Additionally, I think customers would balk at this false distinction. Yes, they did it with the iTunes store, but that at least makes a little bit of sense. You’re throwing around large music files. But if I’m just trading small XML files, like for a Twitter client? I don’t think they can restrict that network usage. People won’t go for that.

I’m not sure where this rumor got started, but I think it’s false. Whenever they get around to actually releasing them, your typical iPhone program will absolutely have internet connectivity over EDGE.