Xcode

67 'Xcode' stories August 2011 - July 2014

Apple’s new coding language Swift receives significant update for developers alongside new Yosemite and iOS seeds

Benjamin Mayo Jul 7 2014 - 11:37 am PT

As part of the updates to the Yosemite and iOS betas today, Apple’s new coding language Swift has received several major improvements and tweaks to make the language more consistent and help developers make better, safer apps. The intricacies of the changes are very gibberish to non-developers, but the fixes resolve many of the issues that developers had been requesting. In particular, the new value type model of arrays fixes several inconsistencies and prevents many potential code ‘gotchas’ that could arise in previous Swift builds.

Apple has also updated the ‘Introducing Swift’ iBook to reflect the improvements, if you want to learn in more detail about the changes.

Apple announces new Xcode, ‘Swift’ programming language

Benjamin Mayo Jun 2 2014 - 11:51 am PT

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Apple has introduced a brand new programming language alongside a brand new version of Xcode.

Swift is a big deal for developers. The language includes loads of features third-party developers have been asking for. It sits alongside Objective-C and C, meaning developers can interchange between languages in the same project.

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Xcode 5.1, iAd Producer 4.1.2 released with improved iOS 7.1 compatibility

Mark Gurman Mar 10 2014 - 12:00 pm PT

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Alongside the release of iOS 7.1 for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch customers, Apple has updated Xcode and iAd Producer with enhancements to better work with iOS 7.1 devices.

iAd 4.1.2 is already showing up in the Mac App Store’s Software Update section:

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Apple to require all new App Store submissions to be “optimized for iOS 7,” built with latest Xcode starting Feb. 1

Mike Beasley Dec 17 2013 - 4:25 pm PT

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Apple has just published a notice to developers on its dev center that all new apps submitted after February 1st, 2014 must be built with the latest version of Xcode 5 and “must be optimized for iOS 7.” Essentially any apps built using old versions of Xcode or possibly even just maintaining an iOS 6-style interface in Apple’s brave new world of software will be rejected from the store.

This goes for updates, too, meaning even the ambiguous “bug fixes and improvements” that seem to be ever-present in the App Store will now require an iOS 7 update just to be published in February.

HockeyApp SDK update gives Mac developers more detailed bug reports during testing

Benjamin Mayo Nov 26 2013 - 10:08 am PT

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HockeyApp has released the next major version of its SDK for Mac developers, HockeyApp 2.0. This update brings the Mac SDK up to parity with the iOS version, which received similar updates last month.

The new SDK can send precise backtrace reports to developers when the app crashes during testing. This enables developers to accurately pinpoint where their code is messing up and crucially reduces time spent in debugging. The company claims that is the only crash reporting solution that offers the most flexibility in supporting all three types of logging.

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Apple releases Xcode 5.0.2 with bug fixes & stability improvements

Mark Gurman Nov 11 2013 - 2:54 pm PT

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Following a Golden Master release to developers last week, Apple has released Xcode 5.0.2 via the Mac App Store. Of course, this is a free update and it brings bug fixes related to the iOS Simulator, crashes on iOS 6 devices, and stability improvements.

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Apple releases Xcode 5.0.2 GM build to developers

Mike Beasley Nov 5 2013 - 5:52 pm PT

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Apple posted a new build of Xcode to its developer portal this evening. The new version is listed as the Golden Master build of 5.0.2, which is interesting considering the fact that there were no betas of this update. According to the change log, the only changes are some bug fixes, so don’t expect any groundbreaking new features.

The complete change log is below.

Issues Resolved in Xcode 5.0.2 GM seed Simulator
After installation of Xcode, the iOS 7.0.3 simulator hangs on first launch for a period of time (eventually launching). This issue has been resolved. (15368009)
Running UIAutomation from the Instruments GUI or from the /usr/bin/instruments command line crashes. This has been resolved. (15367995)
Running and Debugging
Launching a 64-bit application on a device from Xcode multiple times causes the device to stop responding (and require a soft-reset). This has been resolved. (15338361)
Debugging an application on a device running iOS 6.x causes the application to crash with EXC_BAD_ACCESS. This has been resolved. (15310896)
LLDB now correctly displays structs in simulator processes. (14496092)

Apple promoting automated continuous integration to iOS developers, providing free OS X Server copies

Mark Gurman Oct 24 2013 - 4:59 pm PT

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Via email, Apple is now promoting Xcode 5.0.1’s new automated continuous integration feature to developers.

As an iOS developer, you can now take advantage of continuous integration in Xcode by creating bots with OS X Server for Mavericks that automate the process of building, analyzing, testing, and archiving your apps. As the bots do their work on the remote Mac, Xcode on your development machine displays the build and test reports. Bots can generate a regular release for your QA team, be configured to execute on every check-in, and even test your apps on connected iOS devices.

Continuous integration via automated bots in the new Xcode will multiple developers working on different aspects of a software product to integrate their code with the other projects in development. This eases up the development procedure of pulling parts of an app together to make the final copy…

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Xcode 5.0.1 released with Mavericks SDK and new build / debug features [update: new versions of OS X Server and Remote Desktop]

Scott Buscemi Oct 22 2013 - 4:30 pm PT

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Screen Shot 2013-10-22 at 4.25.43 PM

Xcode has been updated to version 5.0.1, bringing with it the OS X 10.9 SDK and several new features for developers to use. The app is free in the Mac App Store.

Developers can now use the “Debug Gauge” to see how much power their apps use in realtime. In addition, to go along with the new version of OS X Server ($19.99) that was released today, “continuous integration bots build and test your iOS and OS X apps on OS X Server.”

What’s New in Version 5.0.1

Includes SDKs for OS X 10.9 Mavericks, OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, and iOS 7.

New features for OS X Mavericks:

• Continuous integration bots build and test your iOS and OS X apps on OS X Server.
• Source Control menu creates new remote Git repositories on Mac servers.
• Debug Gauge for energy use displays a live graph of your app’s power consumption.

The $79.99 Apple Remote Desktop app was also updated to version 3.7 today, with Mavericks support as the main addition:

What’s New in Version 3.7

This update is recommended for Apple Remote Desktop users and addresses several issues related to overall reliability, usability and compatibility. This update also provides:

– Support for OS X Mavericks
– Automatic copy and paste between local and remote computers
– Improved support for Mac systems with multiple displays and multiple IP addresses
– Enhanced multi-observe with gesture support for swiping between screens

Xcode 5.0 released with iOS 7 SDK, 64-bit app compiler

Scott Buscemi Sep 18 2013 - 10:32 am PT

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Screen Shot 2013-09-18 at 10.28.57 AM

Alongside the release of iOS 7 this morning, Apple has just pushed out Xcode 5.0 to the Mac App Store. The free app includes the SDKs for iOS 7 and Mountain Lion as well as the 64-bit app compiler:

What’s New in Version 5.0

• Includes SDKs for OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion and iOS 7.
• LLVM compiler builds 64-bit apps for iOS 7.
• Automatic Configuration enables services like iCloud and Game Center with one click.
• Test Navigator helps you quickly add, edit, and run unit tests.
• Test Assistants display tests and code side-by-side for test driven development.
• Auto Layout in IB can generate constraints automatically, or allow free-form design.
• Preview Assistant demonstrates your UI in portrait or landscape, for iOS 6 or iOS 7.
• Asset Catalog organizes all your project’s images in a single .xcassets archive.
• Debug Gauges show CPU, memory, iCloud, and OpenGL ES usage at a glance.
• Source Control top-level menu enables context sensitive branching and merging.
• Modules build setting speeds compile times, and enables auto-linking system frameworks.

The update comes in at 1.96GB, which might take awhile with all of the iOS 7 downloading traffic.

Apple has also given its developer portal an iOS 7 style tweak today that brings a cleaner design to the site:

Developer-portal-September-2013

Some surprises we might see at WWDC 2013 next week

Jordan Kahn Jun 7 2013 - 3:45 pm PT

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(Preparations for Apple’s 2013 WWDC developer conference / Image via Nick)

There’s a lot we already know about what we’ll be seeing next week at WWDC– we’ve already brought you exclusive details on iOS 7, OS X 10.9, a MacBook refresh, Apple’s new Radio service, and much more. What else might we see Apple show off next week? Below are a couple of our best predictions based on what we think Apple is most likely to show off as well as few things we’ve been hearing:
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Apple releases minor Xcode update with fixes/improvements

Mark Gurman Apr 15 2013 - 5:23 pm PT

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Today, Apple has released a minor update to its Mac Xcode software development suite. The update includes various performance improvements and bug fixes. It is available on the Mac App Store as a free update. Thanks, D!

What’s New in Version 4.6.2

• Improves LLDB performance for debugging Objective-C code.
• Fixes an issue where the crash log database could grow very large.
• Additional bug fixes and stability improvements.

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Updated OS X Mountain Lion Preview 3, 10.7.4, Xcode builds seeded to developers

Mark Gurman May 1 2012 - 4:16 pm PT

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Apple has released software updates to both of their already acknowledged, unreleased Mac OS X updates: Mountain Lion and Lion 10.7.4. The OS X Mountain Lion is a not a full new Developer Preview, but is simply an update to the already released Developer Preview 3. Changes are currently unknown, but please send in anything you find to tips@9to5mac.com. The update weighs in at 1.45GB on a MacBook Air, but that may vary on other machines. Similiarly, Apple released a few minor developer preview updates during the OS X Lion beta period.

In addition, Apple has seeded a new build of 10.7.4 to developers. The build number is 11E53, and this is notable as this is only a single build shift from last week’s release of 10.7.4 build 11E52. A slow down in build number changes often means an imminent release of whatever OS X update is being tested. Augmenting this possibility is that Apple has added the 10.7.4 change log to the installer application for the beta. Apple says the build has no known issues but asks developers to focus their testing on graphics, iCal, Mail, Printing, and Time Machine.

Apple has also released Developer Preview 4 of Xcode 4.4. The Xcode preview requires either OS X Mountain Lion or OS X Lion.

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In the wake of the Flashback Trojan, Apple quietly puts out an updated Java security patch

Seth Weintraub Apr 5 2012 - 8:50 pm PT

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Earlier this week, Apple released a Java security update, 2012-001, to patch the Flashback vulnerability that a security company claims affected 600,000 Macs.

Late this evening, we are getting reports from readers that a new version of the Java update is becoming available via Software Update.

The latest update, Java for OS X 2012-002, supersedes the -001 update Apple released earlier this week, and indeed the KB article linked from the -002 update is still the -001 version (below).

Update: Apple sent a note out to its Java Community, below, with the ‘why’ (small issue they are the same but for a few symlinks and version numbers.)

Thanks Jessie!
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Apple seeds first iOS 5.1 beta, Xcode 4.3 beta (release notes included)

Mark Gurman Nov 28 2011 - 3:44 pm PT

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Apple has just seeded iOS 5.1 to developers, a pre-release version of iOS that runs on the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. In addition, Apple has released Xcode 4.3 beta to developers, a required version of Xcode for those wishing to develop and test their applications with iOS 5.1 devices. This iOS 5.1 release is crucial. The 5.1 beta brings along an under-the-hood change for alternative interpretations for Dictation input in different apps. We’re looking into this API change.

We’ve also found some references to a new iPad in the code.

iOS SDK 5.1 provides support for developing iOS applications and includes the complete set of Xcode tools, compilers, and frameworks for creating applications for iOS and Mac OS X. These tools include the Xcode IDE and the Instruments analysis tool among many others.

With this software you can develop applications that run on iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 5.1. You can also test your applications using the included iOS Simulator, which supports iOS 5.1. There are two Xcode iOS SDK 5.1 images, one for installing on a Macintosh computer running Mac OS X 10.6.7 (Snow Leopard) or later, the other for installing on a Macintosh computer running Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion).

This version of iOS is intended only for installation on devices registered with Apple’s developer program. Attempting to install this version of iOS in an unauthorized manner could put your device in an unusable state.

Along with the release notes, you can also find some new features we’ve found in iOS 5.1 after the break:

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Apple seeds iOS 5 beta 7, iTunes 10.5 beta 7, Xcode 4.2 beta 7 to developers (full change log)

Mark Gurman Aug 31 2011 - 3:27 pm PT

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Apple has just released iOS 5 beta 7 to developers as an over-the-air update. iOS 5 includes new features like Notification Center, Twitter integration, Newsstand, and iCloud support. The software update will become publicly available this fall, likely alongside the new iPhone lineup in early October. Apple has released iTunes 10.5 beta 7 and Xcode 4.2 beta 7 as well. Apple has also just released Safari 5.1.1 update 3. Let us know at tips@9to5mac.com anything you find!

We’ve found that in the Wi-Fi sync settings there is now support for multiple Macs. Under each Mac you’ll find what categories your iOS devide will sync to. Thanks Christoph!

Additionally, the Nuance Text to speech is now available as a menu item (below)

The following issues relate to using the 5.0 SDK to develop code.We’ve pasted the full change log for the new beta after the break:

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Apple killing developer access to UDID in iOS 5

Seth Weintraub Aug 19 2011 - 2:13 pm PT

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As noted by TechCrunch, Apple has alerted developers in recent documentation that it is in the process of deprecating access to the uniqueidentifier alphanumeric string that is unique to each iOS device.

Apple recommends developers create a UDID specific to apps.

Obviously, UDIDs were a security threat as marketers and advertisers (and worse) could follow your usage patterns and gather data through different apps.

Apple likely will continue to use the UDID for its iAds, GameCenter, subscriptions and other services it offers across iOS devices, or so one industry CEO thinks:

“I guarantee Apple will not stop using UDID,” predicts one mobile industry CEO. If Apple does continue to use UDID for itself but denies it to developers that would be an “extremely lopsided change.” It would give Game Center and iAds yet one more advantage over competing third-party services.”

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New in OS X Lion: “Network Link Conditioner” utility lets you simulate internet and bandwidth conditions

Jordan Kahn Aug 10 2011 - 11:38 am PT

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What is it? Network Link Conditioner is a new utility in OS X Lion (via the free Xcode 4.1 app) that will allow you to simulate less than desirable network conditions, such as a bad 3G connection or Edge with “Good Connectivity”. This is an especially useful utility for those developing apps and sites that highly rely on network connectivity, whether it’s a multiplayer game or just an animation heavy web app.

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