Xcode, Apple’s integrated development environment for developing macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS and tvOS software, may be coming to iPad with the upcoming iPadOS 14 update.
If true, iPadOS 14 may enable developers to work on their app code on their iPad.
Established leaker John Prosser said Monday that Xcode is present on iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, adding that he apparently mentioned its existence during a live stream last week.
AppleInsider has more:
Prosser’s comment was elaborated upon by a reply from iOS developer Steve Moser, who points out ‘the hidden Xcode Preview app is present in iOS 13,’ though it is used as a companion app for the Mac-based version to show layout previews on a device’s screen. However, in response to another message suggesting it could be the Preview app, Prosser hints it’s not that by suggesting ‘I know more than I’ve shown.’
Xcode for iPad could open the door for pro iPad apps, Prosser went on to argue before warning that “I’m not gonna say that Final Cut is coming to iPad”.
I’m not gonna say that Final Cut is coming to iPad…
But XCode is present on iOS / iPad OS 14. 👀
The implications there are HUGE.
Opens the door for “Pro” applications to come to iPad.
I mentioned this last week on a live stream, but figured it was worth the tweet 🤷🏼♂️
— Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) April 20, 2020
For the time being. Apple’s software developers write apps for the iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac and Apple Watch devices on a Mac because Xcode is currently a macOS-only affair.
Developers have long been asking for Xcode for iPad.
Truth be told, older iPad hardware and earlier iterations of the iOS software probably couldn’t support such a complex piece of software like Xcode. But with the iPad Pro’s industry-leading CPU, rich trackpad and pointer support in iPadOS and the new Magic Keyboard, the dream of writing iPhone and iPad apps on an iPad could easily become a reality.
Thoughts?