Apple is reminding developers that new restrictions for kids apps and HTML5 apps go into effect on March 3, 2020.
Developers
Apple Releases Xcode 11.3.1 With Improvements, Bug Fixes
Apple has released Xcode 11.3.1 for developers with improvements and bug fixes but also with a known issue involving file imports.
Apple Brings Reality Converter AR App to macOS
Apple is releasing a beta version of an app called Reality Converter. It helps developers work with USDZ files, an AR file format.
Mac Apps Have to be Notarized by February 2020
Apple says that Mac apps distributed outside of the Mac App Store have to be notarized by February 3, 2020, an attempt to increase security.
Apple Made its HomeKit Accessory Development Kit Open Source
Apple recently released an open source version of its HomeKit Accessory Development Kit. That means anyone can make HomeKit accessories.
iOS Developers Get Detailed Subscription Notifications
iOS developers get detailed subscription notifications that would let them send customers notifications with billing issues.
SF Symbols 1.1 Update Brings Even More Symbols
Apple has released an SF Symbols 1.1 update today, giving developers over 1,500 symbols to use in their apps.
After iOS 13 Disaster Apple Plans to Change its Testing for iOS 14
Software chief Craig Federighi plans to change the company’s development process for iOS 14 due to the disaster that is iOS 13.
Apple Rebrands WWDC App to ‘Apple Developer App’
Apple has taken the old WWDC app and turned it into the Apple Developer app. It will still have the same developer news, videos, and more.
We're Still Waiting for Sign In with Apple to Take Off
Sign In with Apple is a private, convenient way for Apple customers to create accounts with apps and websites. But so far only a smaller number of developers have implemented it. Apple says that if apps include other single sign-on options like Facebook and Google, they have to include Sign In with Apple. April 2020 is the deadline and it can’t come soon enough.
While other companies such as Facebook and Google already offer their own sign in buttons, those options allow app makers to access more of users’ personal information…By comparison, Sign in with Apple only shares your name and an email address with the app maker, and using your real email address is optional.
Apple Releases iOS 13.3 Developer Beta 1
Today Apple has released iOS 13.3 developer beta 1, as well as betas of iPadOS 13.3, watchOS 6.1.1, and tvOS 13.3.
New iOS Security Suite Helps Developers Protect Apps
The iOS Security Suite is a brand new platform for developers. It helps them detect if their apps are running on a secure iOS device. What ISS detects:
Jailbreak (even the iOS 11+ with brand new indicators!)
Attached debugger
If an app was run in emulator
Common reverse engineering tools running on the device
Apple Schedules 8 Hour Downtime for App Store Connect on October 20th
The company said the service would be down from 6:00 AM PDT on October 20th, for “up to 8 hours.”
PSA: Don't Be Surprised if Some Apps Have Issues With macOS Catalina, Like Hazel
macOS Catalina dropped yesterday and some apps might not work with it. 32-bits apps aren’t supported but even 64-bit apps run into trouble.
App Store Prices Will Increase in Kazakhstan, Sweden
Apple released developer news today saying that due to changes in foreign exchange rates, App Store prices will increase in Kazakhstan and Sweden.
Once this change goes into effect, the Pricing and Availability section of My Apps will be updated. You can change the price of your apps and in-app purchases (including auto-renewable subscriptions) at any time in App Store Connect. For subscriptions, you have the option to preserve prices for existing subscribers.
See this PDF for a list of updated App Store pricing for these regions.
App Store Guidelines Modified for Kids Apps, Sign In With Apple
Apple has updated its App Store Review Guidelines for kids apps and its new Sign In with Apple technology, giving developers more time.
Apple's Billing Grace Period Should Give You Peace of Mind
Apple is introducing Billing Grace Period as a way to improve the customer experience surrounding subscriptions.
Apple Tells Developers to Get Ready for Dark Mode
Apple updated its developer page today, telling developers to get ready for Dark Mode, and providing resources and documentation.
It's Easier for Apps to Rank No. 1 in the App Store
It’s now easier for app developers to have their app ranked number 1 in the App Store. The number of downloads to achieve this has dropped.
You'll Be Able to Convert Your Logins to Sign In With Apple
Ryan Christoffel has been testing Sign In with Apple in some beta versions of apps this summer. Using it is as easy as Apple said it would be. And the feature that I hoped would be included will arrive too: Converting your existing logins to Sign In with Apple.
Although Sign In with Apple is mainly beneficial for new users who don’t yet have an account for a given app or service, with the system Apple has built, developers have the option of letting existing users convert their accounts to Sign In with Apple for its convenience and security benefits.
I hope there will be widespread adoption of this. Another thing I wondered: If some companies complain that iOS 13’s location feature is anti-competitive, what will they say about Sign In with Apple?
The GitHub Student Developer Pack Can Save You $45,000
The GitHub Student Developer Pack is back, and it can save you up to US$45,000 in software and services.
Verified students who join the Pack receive GitHub Pro at no charge while in school, plus exclusive offers from our GitHub Education partners. More than doubling in size with 21 new partners, the Pack now represents almost $45,000 dollars in savings available to you during your time as a student.
News+: Project Catalyst and the Future of the Mac
In the latest issue of Macworld, Jason Snell writes about Project Catalyst and how Apple struggles with the Mac’s future.
iOS app developers are Mac users—it’s the only platform available for iOS app development. They know what the Mac feels like. I think many of them will choose to do the right thing—but it’s a shame they won’t have exemplary Apple apps to inspire them.
This is part of Andrew’s News+ series, where he shares a magazine every Friday to help people discover good content in Apple News+.
New Developer Beta 7 Available for iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS
Apple has seeded developer beta 7 for each of its operating systems except macOS Catalina. Release notes are available with further details.
Apple's Engineering Focus, iPod Frustration – TMO Daily Observations 2019-07-17
John Martellaro and Charlotte Henry join host Kelly Guimont to discuss Apple’s engineering focus and the use case for the “new” iPod touch.