On June 10, 2024, Apple unveiled a fresh set of cutting-edge resources and utilities aimed at empowering developers globally to craft more efficient and robust applications across all Apple platforms. With Xcode 16, developers can streamline their development process and boost productivity with features like Swift Assist and anticipatory code completion. Enhanced APIs provide developers with the means to elevate their applications and introduce captivating features.
Xcode 16
The latest version of Xcode sets a new benchmark for developer efficiency, offering enhancements and performance improvements that empower developers to create exceptional apps faster than ever.
Swift Assist acts as a coding companion for developers, allowing them to concentrate on higher-level challenges and solutions. It seamlessly integrates with Xcode, keeping abreast of the latest software development kits (SDKs) and Swift language features, ensuring developers have access to the most up-to-date code features that seamlessly blend with their projects. Swift Assist enables tasks like exploring new frameworks and experimenting with fresh ideas with just one request. It integrates a robust model that operates in the cloud — constructed with privacy and security in mind just like all Apple developer services. Developers’ code is solely used for processing requests and never stored on servers, and Apple refrains from using it to train machine learning models.
The new predictive code completion engine in Xcode employs a unique model specifically trained for Swift and Apple SDKs, capable of suggesting the necessary code for developers. Code completion is powered entirely by Apple silicon and machine learning enhancements in macOS Sequoia, running locally on the developers’ device — ensuring that code remains entirely private and delivering relevant suggestions even when working offline.
Xcode previews now feature a new dynamic linking architecture that utilizes the same build artifacts for previews and code execution, streamlining the workflow when transitioning between the two.
Further enhancements to testing environments in Xcode 16 make it simpler for developers to assess their apps’ performance under real-world conditions from the inception of the development process. For instance, developers can now localize and test their apps’ privacy policies, license agreements, and subscription group display names.
Swift 6
Swift 6 introduces new capabilities aimed at enhancing developer productivity and code clarity. As multicore architectures have bolstered devices’ capabilities, Swift has consistently integrated features to simplify concurrent programming. Swift 6 presents compile-time data-race safety, diagnosing concurrent access to memory across a developer’s project during compile time. This advancement enables the identification and resolution of errors with minimal modifications to the entire codebase, enhancing code safety and maintainability for the future.
WWDC24 commemorates the 10th anniversary of Swift. Since its inception, Swift has empowered developers to create top-tier experiences throughout Apple’s ecosystem. Presently, nearly 1 million apps use Swift, integrated across Apple’s software stack — from apps and frameworks to firmware like Secure Enclave.
Apple remains deeply committed to advancing Swift’s capabilities and promoting collaboration within the developer community. Apple is expanding the accessibility of Swift to a broader spectrum of developers and programmers, with support for additional code editors leveraging the Language Server Protocol. In a bid to amplify its reach, a new GitHub organization solely dedicated to Swift will host numerous pivotal projects for the Swift ecosystem — incorporating the Swift compiler, Foundation, and other crucial libraries.
VisionOS 2
Apple Vision Pro continues to entice developers worldwide, enabling them to leverage its unique capabilities to conceive new spatial experiences — all powered by visionOS, the groundbreaking spatial operating system effortlessly merging digital content with the physical realm. visionOS 2 launches novel APIs and frameworks, aiding developers in crafting intricate and nuanced spatial experiences previously unattainable.
Novel volumetric APIs grant developers greater control over the appearance of 3D objects in their apps and enable even the most intricate spatial apps to operate concurrently for the ultimate multitasking experience. TabletopKit facilitates the seamless development of spatial app experiences anchoring to flat surfaces like manufacturing workstations or board and card games. RealityKit simplifies app development for platforms supporting multiple Apple devices, curbing development time and enhancing workflows for Universal apps.
Developers can now effortlessly design captivating and immersive environments within their apps through new APIs, enhanced tooling, and a streamlined development process. It’s now simpler to create stunning spatial SharePlay experiences, and developers without Apple Vision Pro hardware can fashion and preview SharePlay-based apps in Simulator. visionOS 2 also integrates support for HealthKit, enabling apps to confidentially and securely access and share health data.
Fresh enterprise APIs will aid enterprises and business developers in turbocharging their workflows in healthcare, manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and more.
Additional Platform APIs
Developers can embrace the new Controls API to enable users to fulfill an array of tasks from different locations, such as swiftly unlocking their vehicle or accessing their preferred third-party camera directly from the Control Center.
AccessorySetupKit enables developers to seamlessly and securely pair Bluetooth accessories via their app without requiring access to all nearby Bluetooth devices, ensuring the privacy of other devices.
Updates to the Smart Stack on Apple Watch grant developers the ability to utilize triggers like time, date, location, wake up and bedtime, and more to ensure their apps are suggested as widgets. Additionally, for the first time ever, apps supporting Live Activities will automatically appear on Apple Watch.
Developers now have access to a new watchOS double tap API, empowering them to assign the gesture to key components of their Apple Watch app experience.
TestFlight
TestFlight aids developers in gathering valuable beta feedback from testers to enhance an app during the development and release phases. With enhancements to the TestFlight invitation and enrollment process, developers can selectively engage testers by device and OS, receiving superior feedback to refine their apps.
TestFlight invitations will include the beta app’s description, app category, and optional screenshots to showcase new features and content to potential testers. Fresh metrics assist developers in evaluating engagement with public links and monitoring invitation acceptances or declines.
App Store
For more than 15 years, the App Store has facilitated developers in distributing their apps and games worldwide, fostering business growth. This year, the App Store introduces novel mechanisms for developers to enhance app discoverability and monetize through subscriptions.
New featuring nominations enable developers to effortlessly propose their apps’ upcoming content and enhancements for potential featuring on the App Store. In App Store Connect, developers can submit nominations, specifying details like the publish date and pertinent countries or regions. The expert App Store editorial team meticulously reviews each submission to connect remarkable apps and games with their ideal audience.
Custom product pages empower developers to showcase diverse content and features available within their apps. With custom product page deep links, developers can seamlessly direct users from a specific custom product page on the App Store to a relevant location within their apps. Deep links can also be paired with Search Ads campaigns to deliver a consistent user experience, from ad viewing to app landing.
For subscription apps, developers can entice former subscribers to resubscribe through new win-back offers. Eligible customers can explore these offers across the App Store and within their apps. For macOS apps, developers can provide discounted or free subscriptions for a specified period using offer codes to acquire, retain, and re-engage past subscribers.
Enhancements to StoreKit views afford developers new avenues to organize and present in-app purchases.
App Analytics has been expanded to offer developers deeper insights into their businesses and their apps’ performance. Reports now incorporate hundreds of new metrics, enabling developers to identify improvement opportunities.
App Store Connect
The App Store Connect app for iOS and iPadOS debuts an updated user interface and introduces a new method for developers to celebrate their apps’ significant milestones. Whether launching a new app or releasing an exciting update, developers can effortlessly generate marketing assets from App Store Connect to share directly on their social channels. In case an app is featured as App of the Day, developers will receive a push notification from App Store Connect, prompting them to create a special marketing asset to commemorate the occasion.
This latest array of offerings further enriches the plethora of tools, technologies, and resources Apple provides for developers. For comprehensive insights into the key technologies and exciting capabilities unveiled today, visit developer.apple.com/whats-new.
About Apple
Apple revolutionized personal technology with the debut of the Macintosh in 1984. Presently, Apple spearheads innovation globally with iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro. Apple’s six software platforms — iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS, and tvOS — deliver seamless experiences across all Apple devices, bestowing people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, iCloud, and Apple TV+. Apple’s dedicated workforce of over 150,000 individuals is committed to crafting world-class products and leaving a positive impact on the world.
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