| Cult of Mac

Today in Apple history: Devs get the key to unlock iPhone’s awesome power

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The iPhone SDK paved the way for iPhone apps and the App Store.
The iPhone SDK plants the seeds for the App Store's stunning success.
Photo: Apple

March 6: Today in Apple history: Devs get the key to unlock iPhone's awesome power March 6, 2008: Apple releases the iPhone software development kit, finally allowing devs to start creating native mobile apps for the new smartphone.

When the App Store eventually opens a few months later, a new industry springs up overnight. Third-party devs rush to take advantage of Apple’s lucrative distribution network.

Xbox Live is finally available on iOS and Android

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Xbox live
This could be a game changer. Literally.
Photo: Microsoft

Microsoft’s Xbox Live network is officially making its way onto iOS and Android.

The company revealed today that it is launching a new SDK that will allow mobile developers to add Xbox Live functionality to their games, giving gamers the ability to score achievements on the go.

Apple pulls third-party SDKs from Shazam in latest update

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Apple acquisition meant that Shazam turned a profit in 2018
Apple acquisition meant that Shazam turned a profit in 2018
Photo: Apple

Apple has pulled all but one third-party SDK from Shazam in its latest update.

The move wipes out analytics firms, ad networks, open-source projects, and more — including Google AdMob, Facebook Ads, Amazon Ads, and DoubleClick. Only HockeyApp, a Microsoft platform for beta testing, is still available.

Apple plans to merge iOS and macOS apps by 2021

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Office Mac App Store
Your favorite apps could soon be available on any Apple device.
Photo: Apple

Apple plans to make it easy for developers to merge iOS and macOS apps into one by 2021, according to a new report.

The project, dubbed “Marzipan,” hopes to encourage development and boost App Store revenue. It will start with a new software development kit that will let developers port their iPad apps to Mac later this year.

Server logs reveal Apple is testing four new iPad models

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The iPad Pro is about to get even bigger.
New iPads are on the way.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Evidence that Apple is testing a new lineup of iPads has surfaced online, adding credence to a recent rumor that new iPads could be unveiled as soon as next week.

Device logs obtained by mobile marketing firm Fiksu appear to show that four different iPad models are currently being tested in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Apple to finally step up its AI game by opening Siri up to devs

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Sorry, Alexa: Siri still the most widespread AI assistant
Siri won't be restricted anymore.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

We’re all stoked for our first previews of iOS 10 and macOS from WWDC, but according to sources familiar with Apple’s plans, it’s going to be Siri that steals the show.

The virtual assistant is expected to make the leap to the Mac for the first time, and could also open up to third-party apps and services — allowing users to check in for flights, book Uber rides, and do more using only their voice.

Apple scores SAP partnership to transform enterprise

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iPhone-SAP
Apple steps up its assault on enterprise.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple is teaming up with SAP to “revolutionize” mobile working for enterprise customers.

The partnership will see native apps for iPhone and iPad combined with the SAP HANA platform, plus a new iOS SDK and training academy that will help developers build new apps tailored to their business needs.

Apple bans hundreds of apps that swiped user data

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apps
Apple responded swiftly to the discovery that over 250 apps collected data with private APIs.
Photo: Jason Howie/Flickr CC

Apple banned over 250 apps from the App Store that were using software to access users’ personal information. These apps managed to get through the App Store approval process with private APIs, which are against the rules. Apple took action shortly after news broke this morning that a security firm discovered these apps.

Monetize your iOS app with StartApp now supporting Apple’s Swift code [Sponsored post]

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iOS3D

This post is brought to you by StartApp.

Are you a developer or advertiser looking to make a profitable app? The best way to do so is integrate a mobile monetization platform that inserts ads for other apps in your app. Recently moving into iOS operating environment, one of Google Android’s biggest and most successful ad networks to date, StartApp, now offers the first SDK to support Apple’s new programming language, Swift.

Watch the video showing how StartApp can help monetize your iOS app here.

Hands-Free Leap Motion Controller Hits 1 Million App Downloads

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It's like magic!
It's like magic!

Remember the hands-free Leap Motion Controller for Mac that everyone went on and on about how cool it was going to be? The one that got delayed until July?

Well, it’s been three weeks since it actually started shipping, and the team behind the 3-D motion controller is reporting some significant numbers, including 25,000 downloads of its software developer kit (which allows developers to include code for the device in their own apps), and 1 million downloads of apps that work with the hardware.

That’s pretty fantastic, right?