Developers

TextExpander shows off its iOS 8 keyboard with snippet expansion coming this fall

Jake Smith ∙ August 27, 2014

TextExpander has posted details about its upcoming "touch 3" update, that will add a TextExpander keyboard within iOS 8 that will allow users to expand snippets of text in any app on the iPhone or iPad. This marks yet another app developer taking advantage of Apple's new third-party keyboard API made available in iOS 8. Prior to the big update, only apps which implemented the TextExpander touch SDK could expand snippets directly.

New ad formats coming to iAd: pre-roll video and full-screen interstitials

Cody Lee ∙ August 26, 2014

Apple announced to iOS developers today that it has enabled new ad formats that could help them generate more revenue. Developers can now add pre-roll video and full-screen advertisements to their apps, via iAd.

The news makes good on a report from back in March, which said the ads would be capable of interrupting a user in-app. It's more likely, however, that the ads will play at moments of transition, such as at the end of a level.

Apple releases OS X Yosemite Developer Preview 6

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple has released the sixth Developer Preview of its new OS X Yosemite operating system this morning. The update comes exactly two weeks after Preview 5, and over two months after Apple first announced Yosemite during its Developer Conference in June.

The update is labeled as build preview 6 1.0 and can be downloaded via the Mac App Store, or as a full download from Apple’s online developer center. It does not, however, appear to be out in Apple’s recently-launched public Yosemite Beta Seed program yet…

Developers can now earn affiliate commission on iTunes sales through their apps

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 18, 2016

Apple has boosted its Affiliate Program that enables website owners to earn commissions on qualifying iTunes sales. Now, the iPhone maker is inviting developers to join the party.

According to an email communique the Cupertino company sent out to the registered iOS developers, makers of iPhone and iPad applications can now earn commissions, too, by promoting paid music, apps, books and other items via iTunes, App Store, iBooks and the Mac App Store affiliate links provided within their apps through the iOS Store Kit Share Sheet.

Jump past the fold for the full reveal...

Apple discussing HealthKit adoption with US healthcare pros ahead of iOS 8 launch

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 12, 2014

Apple is working on bringing its new iOS 8 tool for developers called HealthKit to medical professionals in the United States. Eagle-eyed readers will remember that back at WWDC in June, Apple and the Mayo Clinic demoed the first HealthKit-driven app.

Reuters is now reporting that the Cupertino company has been discussing HealthKit integration with a number of US healthcare professionals, including renowned hospitals like Mount Sinai, Cleveland Clinic, John Hopkins and Allscripts...

Apple seeds OS X Yosemite Developer Preview 5

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

In addition to seeding the fifth beta of iOS 8 this morning, Apple has also released the fifth Developer Preview of its new OS X Yosemite operating system. The update comes two weeks after Preview 4, and well over a month after Apple announced Yosemite at WWDC.

The update is labeled as build preview 5 1.0 and can be downloaded via an update in the Mac App Store, or as a full download from Apple’s online developer center. It does not, however, appear to be out in Apple’s recently-launched public Yosemite Beta Seed program yet…

Apple to wipe all CloudKit data on July 22

Timothy Reavis ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Apple has sent an email to registered developers notifying them of a complete wipe of CloudKit databases. The erase, which is scheduled to take place on July 22nd, is related to the iCloud APIs introduced at WWDC this year and will effect iCloud containers with public databases.

This is the second time Apple is deleting iCloud server data, as the tech giant performed a similar wipe on July 7th in order to upgrade their servers to coincide with the latest beta releases for iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite.

Here is Apple's full email to developers:

Apple seeds OS X Yosemite Preview 4, redesigned iTunes 12 and Yosemite Recovery Update

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

In addition to seeding the fourth beta of iOS 8 this morning, Apple has also released the fourth Developer Preview of its new OS X Yosemite operating system. The update comes two weeks after Preview 3, and well over a month after Apple announced Yosemite at WWDC.

The update is labeled as build preview 4 1.0 and can be downloaded via an update in the Mac App Store, or as a full download from Apple’s online developer center. It does not, however, appear to be out in Apple’s recently-launched public Yosemite Beta Seed program yet…

Here is the redesigned iTunes 12

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Alongside Developer Preview 4 of OS X Yosemite, Apple launched a new beta version of iTunes 12 this morning. The most notable change in the software is its refreshed interface, which features flatter UI elements, greater space between buttons, and other iOS 7-esque design language.

iTunes 12 also brings about a new icon, as well as a host of new features. Included in the new functionality is support for Family Share, a new option Apple announced at WWDC last month for sharing iTunes purchases, improved playlists, a redesigned information window, and more...

Epic Games builds support for iOS 8 Metal deep into Unreal Engine

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 18, 2014

Though Metal isn't among the headline user-facing features of iOS 8, its impact on games with snazzy visuals can't be overstated.

Introduced at WWDC 2014 alongside a number of other features aimed at developers, Metal is billed as a new graphics runtime that wants to replace OpenGL ES by trimming the fat to provide what Apple calls the lowest-overhead access to the A7 chip’s GPU.

And now, Epic Games - which makes the tremendously popular and powerful graphics engine that powers many premium games - has announced that the latest version of Unreal Engine (version 4.3) adds Metal support...

Apple says iOS 7 is now installed on 90% of compatible devices

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 27, 2018

Apple has updated its App Store support page for developers this week to reflect new information regarding iOS 7 adoption. According to the company’s usage data, the latest versions of its OS are running on 90% of iOS devices accessing the App Store.

That’s just a small jump from Apple's report a few months ago, where it claimed iOS 7 adoption had reached 87% of compatible devices. But it's still impressive given what the adoption rate looks like for competitors, and how hard it is to move the needle...

Apple offering Xcode 6 beta for free on new Swift blog

Cody Lee ∙ July 11, 2014

Apple today launched a new blog on its developer portal for its Swift programming language. The company introduced the new language at WWDC last month, and it says this will be a way to keep devs up to date on its progress.

The news is interesting for a couple of reasons. For one, it's not like Apple to talk publicly about projects it's working on—particularly via a blog. It's also worth noting that it has posted a free version of its Xcode 6 beta on the site...