developer

66 'developer' stories April 2013 - May 2015

Developer hacks Watch OS to get a web browser running on Apple Watch

Benjamin Mayo May 10 2015 - 8:30 am PT

Prominent community developer and jailbreaker Comex has posted a video showing a successful hack of Watch OS to get the device running a web browser.

In the video, Comex has managed to get the Google homepage to render on the small Watch display. Apple does not include a Safari browser app on the Watch, for obvious reasons. The video shows that scrolling around even basic web pages on a tiny display is impractical.

More importantly, the video shows that it is possible to get the Watch to run arbitrary code. This could be the first step towards a ‘jailbreak’ of the Apple Watch although Comex makes no such promises to ever release the details of his hack.

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Apple offering developers expedited Apple Watch deliveries by random selection

Benjamin Mayo Apr 21 2015 - 10:54 am PT

22 Comments

Apple is sending out invites to random registered developers, giving them the chance to buy an Apple Watch with guaranteed delivery by the end of the month. Developer get the opportunity to buy a 42 mm Apple Watch Sport with shipment by the 28th of April. Apple is emailing selected developers, who are offered to apply here.

The process is by application only. Developers find out whether they are eligible to actually go through with the purchase on the 23rd of April, this Thursday.

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Apple drops requirement for Watch app submissions to need screenshots taken on a physical device

Benjamin Mayo Mar 15 2015 - 12:24 pm PT

7 Comments

Apple had been confusing many Apple Watch app developers due to some confusing wording in the developer documentation for iTunes Connect, pictured above. The wording indicated that app submissions, including a Watch app, would require at least one screenshot of their app taken on an Apple Watch itself.

However, this was confusing as it was therefore impossible for developers to submit Watch extensions without owning an Apple Watch themselves. This caused some concern that there would be very few third-party apps on day one of the Watch launch (April 24th) as most developers would not get access to hardware aside from the select partners Apple worked with in Cupertino.

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Apple reminds developers about 64-bit iOS App Store requirement, app updates now must also comply by June

Benjamin Mayo Dec 17 2014 - 10:41 am PT

4 Comments

Apple had previously announced that developers of new apps must support 64-bit architectures (to take full advantage of the A7 and A8 technology) by February 1st, 2015. Today, Apple has reminded developers of this deadline as well as clarifying the situation for existing apps.

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Apple seeds Xcode 6.1.1 GM to developers w/ fixes for Swift & more

Jordan Kahn Nov 14 2014 - 12:31 pm PT

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Apple today seeded Xcode 6.1.1 GM (build 6A2006) to developers ahead of a public release. The release includes a number of fixes for Apple’s new Swift programming language, Interface Builder, Xcode Server, and more.

Version 6.1.1 follows Apple’s release of Xcode 6.1 in October with updated SDKs for the recently released OS X 10.10 Yosemite and iOS 8.1.

The release is available for developers to download from Apple’s developer portal now. Developers can view Apple’s full release notes for Xcode 6.1.1 here.

First beta version iOS 8.1 hits Apple’s developer center with design tweaks and bug fixes

Mike Beasley Sep 29 2014 - 3:23 pm PT

36 Comments

Apple has just released iOS 8.1 beta 1 on its developer center. The update has a build number of 12B401. As we reportedly earlier, the company is also working on iOS 8.2 and 8.3 for release in the future. The release is available for all iOS 8-compatible devices, including the Apple TV.

We’ll keep this article updated with any new changes discovered in the beta.

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Can’t wait for Photos for OS X? Photos app likely coming to iCloud.com for desktop viewing

Benjamin Mayo Sep 24 2014 - 4:48 am PT

19 Comments

With Photos for OS X not being released until early next year, it seemed like there would be no way to view your photos backed up in iCloud Photo Library away from an iOS device for Mac customers. However, screenshots and error messages from iCloud.com show that a Photos app is in development for the website, so that users could access their pictures in some fashion on a computer. This will likely act as a stopgap before the official native client is ready.

The above screenshot is captured from an Apple help page, clearly showing a Photos app in the menu, which is currently absent from the public site. The app features the same icon as the Photos app, but its unclear what exact functionality it will bring. Poking around a bit, we discovered something that means it is unlikely the screenshot is simply a Photoshop mistake.

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Apple ‘tentatively’ plans mid-September iPhone event as iOS 8 nears completion

Mark Gurman Jul 23 2014 - 7:38 am PT

18 Comments

Apple is gearing up for its first major hardware and software launches of 2014. The Cupertino-based company is “tentatively” planning a keynote address in mid-September to announce the iPhone 6 and provide final details on iOS 8, according to sources briefed on the plans.

These people say that the second and third weeks of September are the mostly likely weeks for the event to be held, but they add that manufacturing uncertainties could alter the event’s timeframe. A decision has not been finalized, and sources made it clear that the plans are in flux.

The event will showcase at least the new iPhone 6 with a 4.7-inch screen, the sources say, but a final decision on debuting the larger, 5.5-inch “phablet” model at the event has not been made. The 4.7-inch variant of the new phone is farther along in both internal testing and manufacturing preparation, the sources added.

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Apple seeds new betas of iTunes 11.1.6 and Mavericks 10.9.3 to developers

Mike Beasley Mar 20 2014 - 3:35 pm PT

1 Comment

Following this week’s release of iTunes 11.1.6 and OS X 10.9.3 betas to AppleCare employees, Apple has pushed the updates live to developers as well. The iTunes update restores the ability to sync contacts and calendars to an iOS device, which had been removed in favor of iCloud in previous versions of iTunes.

The OS X update (with the build number 13D21) includes the ability to output at 4k resolution with a 60Hz refresh rate on the latest MacBook Pro models. The build number on this update is two builds newer than the version that was pushed to employees earlier this week.

Other than these changes and a few bug fixes, there aren’t any major changes in either build.

Apple releases preview of OS X Server 3.1 to developers

Mike Beasley Jan 21 2014 - 2:09 pm PT

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Apple has just pushed out a developer preview of the next OS X Server update, version 3.1. The update has a build number of 12S4076f and is designed to run on the recently-released 10.9.2 beta.

You can grab the update from Apple’s Mac developer center now. The seed notes are below.

OS X Server Preview (Build 13S4076f) is now available for testing on OS X Mavericks 10.9.2 systems.
Minimum System Requirements

To install OS X Server Preview, you need one of these computers:
– iMac (Mid 2007 or newer)
– MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer)
– MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer)
– MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)
– Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer)
– Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)
– Xserve (Early 2009)

Your Mac needs:
– OS X Mavericks 10.9.2
– At least 2 GB of RAM
– At least 10 GB of available disk space (50 GB if you wish to use Caching Server)

Installation Instructions

Please be aware that you will not be able to revert back to your previous system after updating. Please install this update on a system you are prepared to erase if necessary.

Install OS X Server Preview 13S4076f on a computer running OS X Mavericks 10.9.2.
This preview supports migrations from OS X Lion Server 10.7.5 and OS X Server 2.2.2 and updating from OS X Server 3.0.1.
Known Issues

– In Profile Manager, the “+” and “-“ buttons within the payload editor do not add or remove a payload when administering from an iPad.
– In the Xcode Server Web UI, bot creation may skip from Step 2 to Step 4. The workaround is to quit Safari and retry.
Noteworthy Change and Areas to Test

Profile Manager
– Fixed a syntax error issue in migration SQL.

Apple seeds OS X 10.9.1 beta build 13B35 to developers, includes release notes; Safari 6.1.1 seed also updated

Mike Beasley Nov 21 2013 - 2:42 pm PT

5 Comments

Apple has just released an update for the developer seed of OS X 10.9.1. The new version has a build number of 13B35 and includes fixes for the Mail app, VoiceOver, Safari, and VPN server support. The presence of the release notes indicate that the update is nearing completion and will be available to the public soon.

This update comes just a few weeks after updates to the Mail and iBooks software were released to resolve issues with those apps. Despite the Mail app having been updated to resolve Gmail-related issues, many users are still experiencing problems. The 10.9.1 appears to contain fixes for the remaining bugs.

Apple has also issued a new beta version of Safari 6.1.1 for Lion and Mountain Lion users. This version of Safari is curiously absent from the Mavericks beta that was seeded today.

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OS X Mavericks Server goes Golden Master ahead of launch this month

Mike Beasley Oct 18 2013 - 3:11 pm PT

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Apple has pushed a Golden Master build of OS X Server for Mavericks to developers today in preparation for a release later this month. The Golden Master build is the finalized version of the software. Earlier this month Apple released the GM build of the consumer version of OS 10.9, which is expected to be one of the topics discussed at the company’s October 22nd event.

The OS X Server GM has a build number of 13S440 and is available in the OS X Developer Center.

Apple asks developers to begin submitting apps for OS X Mavericks ahead of October 22 event

Jordan Kahn Oct 15 2013 - 3:16 pm PT

2 Comments

Ahead of its October 22nd event where the company is expected to unveil new iPads alongside other product announcements, Apple today asked developers to begin submitting apps optimized for OS X Mavericks.

Apple seeded the final Golden Master release of OS X Mavericks to developers along with the Xcode 5.0.1 GM seed earlier this month and today urged developers to download the latest builds to test and submit OS X Mavericks apps to the Mac App Store. The move is likely in preparation of public release and pricing details expected to be announced during Apple’s event on the 22nd.

Submit your OS X Mavericks apps today.

Make sure your app takes advantage of the great new features in OS X Mavericks when the world’s most advanced desktop operating system becomes available to millions of customers later this fall. Download OS X Mavericks GM seed and Xcode 5.0.1 GM seed, now available on the Mac Dev Center. Build your apps with these latest seeds, then test and submit them to the Mac App Store.

Mavericks offers app developers a lot of new features to take advantage of from new energy saving features like App Nap, to Apple’s new Sprite Kit game engine, enhanced multiple display support, and auto-renewable subscriptions.

Apple first showed off and announced OS X Mavericks earlier this year during its WWDC developer conference, but next week’s event will likely be the perfect venue to announce official pricing and release date info for the public.

We previously reported that OS X Mavericks will be available in late October.

Apple’s guidelines now officially allow developers to use all colors of iPhone 5s in marketing

Benjamin Mayo Oct 9 2013 - 6:45 am PT

1 Comment

Alongside the launch of the 5s and 5c, Apple has adjusted its marketing guidelines for App Store developers in response to the wider color palette of iPhones now on sale. Apple now officially allows developers to include iPhone models other than black in their marketing.

Up to now, developers were only supposed to use black iPhones although it is well known that Apple never really enforced these requirements. As such, many developers have used white iPhones in PR images over the years regardless of the regulations. Now though. developers are free to use gold or white colored devices in their marketing at will.

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Apple says developer website will go offline for ‘brief scheduled maintenance’ August 17 at 6 PM

Mark Gurman Aug 16 2013 - 10:56 pm PT

1 Comment

Apple has informed developers via email that the Developer Website will be offline beginning August 17th at 6PM PST for “brief scheduled maintenance.”

In the past, Apple has not informed developers about upcoming brief maintenance periods, but perhaps Apple is being more transparent in light of the recent hacking attempt and extended downtime for the developer programs.

Apple has also recently launched a website for users to monitor the available of Apple developer services.

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From beta 1 to release: how each major iOS version has transformed

Michael Steeber Jun 24 2013 - 7:00 am PT

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Following its introduction earlier this month, Apple’s newest operating system has fallen under criticism and scrutiny from both designers and casual users alike. Due to both the tight development timetable and the new design direction under Jony Ive, following the removal of former iOS SVP Scott Forstall last fall, iOS 7 is, understandably, the most controversial and intriguing iOS version yet.

In response to much of the negative criticism directed towards iOS 7, some have suggested that iOS 7 will change substantially before it is released to the general public. Looking back at previous versions of iOS reveals a long trend of subtle refinements to the operating system during beta periods, not dramatic changes. Let’s take a look at how each version of iOS has transformed:

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Apple releases iAd Workbench, shifting iAd’s focus towards app developers rather than large brands

Benjamin Mayo Jun 12 2013 - 6:31 am PT

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With the latest changes to iTunes Connect, Apple has clearly changed its approach to mobile advertising. For the last three years, Apple has targeted large brands with minimum buy-ins ranging in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, uptake of iAd does not seem to have been at the level Apple expected, which has had a negative impact on developers, who have commonly observed low fill rates for their ads.

In mid 2010, Apple allowed app developers to participate in the advertising side of iAd program, by showing banner ads that link directly to their apps. With newly announced changes to iAd, which have been discussed in-depth at WWDC, Apple has furthered this push.

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Notification abuse, too, led to AppGratis’s push out of the App Store

Zac Hall Apr 8 2013 - 12:01 pm PT

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This past weekend, popular application discover app AppGratis was removed from Apple’s App Store. Many had correctly assumed that the application was pulled from the store because of Apple’s Developer Guidelines 2.25 clause:

2.25 Apps that display Apps other than your own for purchase or promotion in a manner similar to or confusing with the App Store will be rejected.

Any app that functions too similar to Apple’s own App Store, even if it routes users to complete the download via the App Store, will be rejected. If they already exist on the store, they will be removed. This Apple policy became stringent following the release of iOS 6 last fall.

While the app was removed for breaking this policy, AllThingsD reports that Apple has confirmed that the app was also removed for abusing Apple’s push notification system.

5.6 Apps cannot use Push Notifications to send advertising, promotions, or direct marketing of any kind.

Discovery apps that utilize a different, non-promotional business model seem to be safe.

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