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Public OS X Yosemite beta only open to first one million applicants

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Non-developers wanting to try out the new OS X 10.10 Yosemite before it launches this fall will be happy to know that Apple is opening up the beta to the public via its AppleSeed Seeding program. That's the good news, that bad news is that only the first 1 million applicants will get access.

If you haven't already, hurry over to Apple's AppleSeed registration page and enter your iTunes credentials to sign up. As you can imagine, Apple's servers are getting slammed right now, so the pages are loading very slowly. But if you wait for them to speed up, you might just miss out!

Download iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite betas now

Joe Rossignol ∙ June 2, 2014

Apple has seeded the first beta versions of iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite to developers. iOS and Mac registered developers can log into Developer Center to access the betas, alongside release notes. iOS 8 in particular is available for the iPhone 4S, iPad 2, iPad mini or later and the fifth-generation iPod touch. Apple should follow up with additional beta releases on a biweekly basis over the summer…

Apple posts ‘Apps We Can’t Live Without’ video from WWDC

Cody Lee ∙ June 2, 2014

Apple opened up this morning's WWDC keynote with a video about developers and the apps they make for Apple's devices. Unsurprisingly, the clip was well-done and paid tribute to the strong app ecosystem developers have helped build for Mac and iOS.

For those that missed the presentation, Apple just posted the clip to its YouTube channel. It's called 'Apps We Can't Live Without,' and it highlights a number of apps that are being used in various fields and professions. And we've got it for you after the fold...

iOS 8 is compatible with iPhone 4S, iPad 2 or later

Joe Rossignol ∙ June 2, 2014

Apple has posted a list of devices that will be compatible with the iOS 8 software update on its website. The devices include the iPhone 4S or later, iPad 2 or later, iPad mini or later and the fifth-generation iPod touch. This means that the iPhone 4 is the only iOS 7 compatible device that will not make the jump to iOS 8. Hit the break to see a full list of compatible devices…

Apple adds iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite pages to its website

Joe Rossignol ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

Just minutes following the WWDC keynote, in which Apple announced iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite, the company has added official pages for the new software versions to its website. The iOS 8 page provides a rundown of all the new features that will be available for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, ranging from QuickType and Family Sharing to Continuity and Health…

iOS 8 adds always-on ‘Hey, Siri’ feature, Shazam integration

Cody Lee ∙ June 2, 2014

Adding to the long list of new features in iOS 8 is a handful of Siri improvements. The digital assistant didn't get a ton of stage time, but iOS/OS X chief Craig Federighi did take a moment to run down some of its new capabilities.

In iOS 8, Siri will be able to handle dictation—where you talk, it types—in 22 new languages (not sure which ones yet, but will obviously be available on Apple.com soon), and will feature Shazam ID technology for identifying songs...

Apple adds new iOS/OS X programming language: Swift

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 2, 2014

Swift, a programming language for distributed parallel scripting (if you're a developer, you know what I'm talking about), can now be used to develop apps for both iOS and OS X, Apple announced during today's keynote at its five-day WWDC developer-only show in San Francisco.

Matter of fact, Swift code can co-exist with Objective-C, which has long been the preferred programming language for iOS development. Jump past the fold for the full breakdown...

iOS 8 launches in Fall, beta release available today

Joe Rossignol ∙ June 2, 2014

Apple announced that iOS 8 will be available today as a beta for registered developers, while a full public release is slated for the Fall. The beta is available now through Developer Center for registered iOS developers. The software update will be free for compatible devices, which is the iPhone 4S or later, iPad 2 or later, iPad mini or later and fifth-generation iPod touch. In order to have access to the beta version, you must be signed up for Apple's iOS Developer Program…

Apple introduces ‘HomeKit’ smart home platform

Cody Lee ∙ June 2, 2014

As expected, Apple has announced a new platform for smart home accessories called HomeKit. The new API, which will launch with iOS 8, will make it easier for smart accessories to allow their devices to be controlled by iPhones, as well as Siri.

This will allow users to control HomeKit-certified smart appliances, such as garage doors, lights and security cameras, by simply speaking a command. Imagine saying 'get ready for bed,' and watching all of your [smart] doors lock and lights turn off...

Apple opens up Touch ID to developers

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 2, 2014

Apple has announced that it is opening up its Touch ID fingerprint sensor to third-party developers. Reportedly years in the making, the all-new Touch ID API is available to registered iOS developers, making it easy to integrate Apple's seamless fingerprint reading functionality into their apps without compromising Touch ID's strong security...

iOS 8 supports third-party keyboards

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Yes! I was just talking about this in my Samsung Galaxy S5 vs iPhone 5s post, and it's actually here. As I type this with tears on my keyboard, it's almost hard to believe that Apple has opened up its SDK with the ability to use third party keyboards.

This means that you will be able to use third party keyboards like Swype for faster more sensible input for touch screens...

iOS 8 brings widgets to Notification Center

Cody Lee ∙ June 2, 2014

Moving along with Apple's iOS 8 portion of its WWDC keynote, Craig Federighi just introduced widgets. Like the stock widgets we've seen before, iOS 8's widgets will appear in the Notification Center and offer quick information for apps at a glance...