A fortunate few will soon get their hands on the Apple Vision Pro. Developers can now apply to get a prerelease loaner unit with which to test the applications they’re creating for the upcoming AR headset.
But don’t expect to see people walking the street with a Vision Pro anytime soon. Apple’s rules for the loaner units are extremely restrictive.
Apple this week seeded its first AirPods Pro beta firmware for registered developers. This version enables a number of new features, including Ambient Noise Reduction and spatial audio for FaceTime calls.
Here’s how you can get yours hand on it.
Ron Okamoto quietly retired after two decades as Apple’s vice president of Developer Relations. He helped oversee the tools provided to third-party iPhone and Mac application developers, and helped set policies for the App Store.
His retirement comes as governments around the world are investigating whether Apple treats fairly the third-party developers who depend on the iPhone and Mac App Stores.
A mere day after the release of a fresh macOS version, Apple went ahead and seeded to developers macOS 11.3 beta 1. The company isn’t one to sit on its hands.
The new beta includes small improvments to Safari and Reminders. And enhancements to a range of other features too. Plus bug fixes, of course.
Apple seeded to developers the release candidates for iOS 14.4 and the iPad equivalent on Thursday. It’s probably the last step before a public release. Among other changes, these new versions will apparently give iPhone and iPad users the option to block third-party applications from tracking them.
Devs can also install watchOS 7.3 RC and tvOS 14.4 RC, which became available Thursday too. But macOS Big Sur 11.2 is still on Beta 2.
Never one to rest on its laurels, Apple already seeded the first betas of iOS 14.4 and iPadOS 14.4. And that’s not all. watchOS 7.3 beta 1 and tvOS 14.4 beta 1 are also up for testing.
If that wasn’t enough, macOS Big Sur 11.2 is included in this rush of fresh pre-release versions, too.
It will soon be possible for developers to give out codes to customers that bring discounts on subscription fees for software or services in the Apple App Store. The goal is to help app creators “acquire, retain, and win back subscribers” with these one-time use codes that people can then easily redeem, according to Apple.
Apple instituted new policies to make the App Store a bit friendlier for developers. On Monday, it stopped blocking “bug fix” updates because of minor violations of its rules.
Also, when an application is accused of violating the guidelines, developers have the option to suggest a change to the rules.
Apple rolled out a redesign of its developer forums Friday intended to make them easier to navigate, and help coders find answers they need.
This comes just days before the opening of its annual Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday.
Apple laid out its plans for “the biggest WWDC to date” in a press release Wednesday, detailing exactly how the first online-only developers conference will go down.
With live streams available on Apple’s website, YouTube and other platforms, everyone can watch the Worldwide Developers Conference keynote on June 22. During the highly anticipated event, Cupertino’s execs will showcase what the future holds for iPhone, Mac and other Apple devices.
Apple on Wednesday gave developers their very first look at watchOS 6.2.8. When it moves past the beta stage, this update squash some bugs. It’s not yet known if there will be any new features.
This beta version will not be released to the public. Average users will have the await for the final version.
Apple gave developers their initial watchOS 6.2.5 beta on Wednesday. This will be a “bug fix” update for watchOS 6.2 that launched last week.
The first pre-release versions of updates for all Apple computers include significant new features. iCloud folder sharing makes its delayed debut. And the ability to buy the iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and tvOS versions of third-party software as a single purchase is coming too.
These features appear in the initial developer betas of iOS 13.4, macOS 10.15.4, iPadOS 13.4, tvOS 13.4 and watchOS 6.2.
Tim Cook wants Apple to be a force for good in the world. To help with this mission, Apple offers waivers on the usual $99 developer account fees for nonprofits, educational institutions, and government groups producing free apps.
Now Apple is expanding eligibility to eight more countries. That brings the total number of countries to offer waived developer fees to 13.
Apple’s Reality Converter gives developers a free tool to convert, view, and customize 3D objects into USDZ, the file format Apple uses for augmented reality content. This is clearly part of the company’s drive to play a significant role in AR development.
After taking Thanksgiving week off, Apple just introduced macOS 10.15.2 beta 4, the next iteration of Catalina.
So far, it just seems to include some tweaks for Mac notebooks and desktops, though.
Pre-release testing of iOS 13.3 and the iPad equivalent keeps chugging along. This is the third week in a row Apple introduced new beta versions.
When the full version is released, it will add an important feature to Screen Time, allowing parents to limit with whom their children communicate.
The beta process for iOS 13.3 and its iPad equivalent is moving along. Apple just seeded the second beta of each to developers. The final version, when it’s released to the general public, will help parents limit who their kids talk to with a big improvement to Screen Time.
In addition, there are new betas of watchOS 6.1.1 and tvOS 13.3.
