Apple Introduces New Frameworks and Tools for Developers, Including Xcode 12

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As part of WWDC 2020 this week, Apple has introduced a series of new APIs, frameworks, and tools for developers, ranging from App Clips to Xcode 12 to a new SwiftUI API for making widgets that work across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.

xcode 12

  • App Clips: New in iOS 14, App Clips surface information from relevant apps without requiring users to download an entire app. Apple describes App Clips as a "small part" of an app designed to be discovered the moment it is needed. Once inside the App Clip, users can easily install the full app with a single tap.
  • Widgets: iOS 14 features widgets that can be pinned in different sizes on any home screen page, providing useful information at a glance. For this, Apple has released a new SwiftUI API that allows developers to use the same code to build a widget for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.
  • Find My network accessory program: In iOS 14, the Find My app is gaining support for finding third-party products and accessories with the new Find My network accessory program. This will allow users to use the Find My app to locate non-Apple devices, complete with end-to-end encryption. A draft specification is available for accessory makers and product manufacturers starting today.
  • Xcode 12: Apple's development tool has received a redesign to match macOS Big Sur. Apple says new document tabs make opening multiple files faster, while navigator fonts now match the system size, or can be set to small, medium, or large. In addition, Xcode 12 builds "macOS Universal" apps by default to support upcoming Macs with custom Apple silicon. Apple released the first beta of Xcode 12 today.
  • A new StoreKit tool in Xcode lets developers simulate subscription setup, in-app purchases, and refunds directly on a Mac.
  • Safari for Mac is adding support for the WebExtensions API used by Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, making it easier for extension developers to work with Safari and distribute through the Mac App Store.
  • App Store now supports Family Sharing for subscriptions and in-app purchases.
  • HomePod is gaining support for third-party music services.
  • Users can set third-party web browser and email apps as default in iOS 14.
  • Developers now have the option to detail their app's privacy practices directly in the App Store for users to review, including the types of data the app might collect, whether that data is shared with third parties, and the option for users to opt out.

Apple outlines several other new developer efforts in its press release, including the ability to "challenge" App Store Review Guidelines starting later this summer.

Tag: Xcode
Related Forum: Apple, Inc and Tech Industry

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Top Rated Comments

L
lunarworks
74 months ago

How are they going to allows cross-platform applications using X11 for the GUI to run on macOS, many of which are not specifically designed for macOS. This includes numerous scientific and academic software projects.

Will I be able to run command line tools from terminal (a python script for example)?
Is python or Rstudio going to work at all?
Is it possible to connect to a server via Terminal and launch a non-Mac applications with its GUI?
What happens to the Unix based language?

I think all scientists got REKT by Tim and his MacOS hipster edition. Why can’t we keep the ****ing desktop OS?
Whatever people have been doing on 10.15 they should still be able to do in 11.0. The kernel hasn't changed.

They did some UX changes, and people are losing their minds.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cmaier Avatar
cmaier
74 months ago
Shockingly my most complex app built fine from a clean build folder in Xcode 12, including for ios 14 and the simulator.

That never happens when Xcode is updated.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HiRez Avatar
HiRez
74 months ago

Xcode 12 is a universal app so when comes it to iPad?
It's Universal for macOS Intel + Apple chips, I don't think it's universal between macOS + iOS. Probably will happen at some point though.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
albebaubles Avatar
albebaubles
74 months ago

Apple needs an Xcode 11/12 tutorial.
no just do your homework like we all do every year.


Still no Xcode to iPad. It’s a shame. Nothing less.
They simply do not have enough onboard RAM, how hard is that to comprehend? Like whining your 4 cylinder won't tow like a diesel.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mattlqx Avatar
mattlqx
74 months ago

Xcode 12 is a universal app so when comes it to iPad?
Now, as then, Universal refers to the architectures supported by the binary, not the frameworks.

Apple displayed mobile apps being run-able on the desktop. It won't be going the other way around (desktop apps on mobile) because of the obvious resource and UI paradigm differences.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
Spungoflex
74 months ago
Part of me likes the new look and part of me think it makes Apple computers look like Fisher-Price toys.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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