WWDC

Watch the WWDC 2014 keynote now

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 2, 2014

Hopefully, you've followed along the announcements Apple made during its WWDC keynote that we've covered here at iDownloadBlog, but the whole event is so much better than the summaries provided by blogs. Apple has of course provided a live stream of today's event. If you missed it, a replay stream went live at Apple.com - remarkably enough, just minutes after the keynote has wrapped up.

Yup, now everyone can witness Apple's boss Tim Cook take slow talking to the next level, laugh at the geeky jokes software engineering boss Craig Federighi cracked on stage (choice quote: OS X Weed) and basically see for themselves why Apple totally killed it today...

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…

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 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...

Apple announces all-new SDK for developers

Joe Rossignol ∙ June 2, 2014

Apple chief executive Tim Cook was on stage at the WWDC keynote today to announce a brand new SDK, or software development kit, for iOS developers. Cook described the new SDK as the biggest release since the launch of the App Store. It contains several new features for iOS that developers can take advantage of, including 4000 new APIs and an app communication framework called Extensibility…

Apple announces much improved App Store with app bundles/previews, better search and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 2, 2014

In addition to all the goodies outlined earlier, Apple during the WWDC 2014 keynote running at San Francisco's Moscone West has announced a much announced App Store with the new Explore tab, Trending searches, making search faster with continuously scrolling search, the new Editor's Choice label for highlighted apps, app previews with short videos right inside the App Store, app bundles and more...