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Standout announcements for iOS app developers from Apple’s WWDC15
Apple unveiled iOS 9 at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) last week and the new mobile operating system for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch boasts an impressive number of new features that are getting consumers excited.
But, WWDC is aimed at developers, so here we take a look at some of the iOS 9 (and related) announcements getting developers excited.
One program to rule them all
Until recently iOS and OS X developers had to join separate developer programs to develop for iPhone/iPad and Mac respectively. That changed when Apple last week announced it was combining the two programs into one, costing just $99 per year. Notably the new program also includes watchOS, Apple operating system for Apple Watch.
Siri search API for all
Starting in iOS 9, all third-party app developers will have access to a search API for Siri, allowing deep linking to content in their apps and a back button to Siri search from apps.
Multitasking on iPad
Developers who make use of iOS’s Autolayout and size classes, first introduced in iOS 7, will only have to do a little bit of work to make their apps work with iOS 9 new Split View, Slide Over and Picture in Picture features.
Swift goes open source
First announced at WWDC 2014, Swift was Apple’s proprietary programming language for creating iOS and OS X apps. In an effort to make Swift more pervasive, Apple will make Swift’s language compiler and iOS, OS X and Linux libraries available under an open source license by the end of this year.
Content blocking extensions for Safari on iOS
A first for iOS, Safari on iOS 9 will support content blocking extensions, allowing third-party developers to create extensions to block cookies, images, resources, pop-ups, and other content on mobile.
New frameworks and APIs
Apple has made a number of additions to the iOS 9 developer stack, including:
- GameplayKit and Model I/O for building games and ReplayKit for recording gameplay.
- New HomeKit profiles for motorized windows and shades, motion sensors, and home security systems.
- Wireless CarPlay and support for auto manufacturers to develop apps within CarPlay.
- New HealthKit data points for reproductive health, UV exposure, water intake and sedentary state.
iOS 9 beta 1 for developers is available to members of Apple’s Developer Program right now, and Apple is slated to release an iOS 9 public beta in July.
Image via apple.com
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