Author Archives: Danis Tazetdinov

Apple now requires developers to submit privacy manifests and declare some API usage reasons, third-party binary SDKs should also have valid signatures.

Apple Developer:

• Reminder: Privacy requirement for app submissions starts May 1
• Describing use of required reason API
• Upcoming third-party SDK requirements

It seems that TikTok is trying to follow Fortnite approach on avoiding App Store fees for in-app purchases using similar tactics – showing page navigating users to web site with ability to buy digital coins without paying commission to Apple.

Apple did not comment on the issue yet. App is still available for download via App Store.

References:

• TikTok May Be Breaking App Store Rules by Avoiding Commissions on Tips
• TikTok pulls a 'Fortnite' and is trying to dodge in-app purchase fees

Apple publishes beta 4 for iOS/iPadOS 17.5, macOS Sonoma 14.5, watchOS 10.5, tvOS 17.5 and visionOS 1.2. No new Xcode beta is currently available.

iOS 17.5 introduces new 'Repair State' mode for Find My to keep track of the device during remote device repairs by Apple.

Release notes:

• iOS & iPadOS 17.5 Beta 4 Release Notes
• macOS Sonoma 14.5 Beta 4 Release Notes
• watchOS 10.5 Beta 4 Release Notes
• tvOS 17.5 Beta 4 Release Notes
• visionOS 1.2 Beta 4 Release Notes

References:

• iOS 17.5 introduces new ‘Repair State’ that keeps Find My on when sending an iPhone to Apple
• iOS 17.5 Includes 'Repair State' Option That Doesn't Require Turning Off Find My for Service

Apple sends emails to Vision Pro users to get insights on how device is used, what are general impressions, and current pain points.

Reference: Apple Asks Customers for Vision Pro Feedback

This is not the first time iPhone alarm doesn't play a sound. Now users report alarms failing to play a sound. Apple is said to be working on the fix.

References:

• Is Your iPhone's Alarm Not Playing a Sound? Apple Working on Fix
• Apple working on fix for bug causing iPhone alarms to not play sounds
• iPhone users try telling their bosses the alarm didn't go off

Apple makes HomePod and HomePod mini available in more countries on May 10 – Thailand, Malaysia and Turkey.

Reference: HomePod and HomePod Mini Launch in Malaysia, Thailand, and Turkey on May 10

Outage with Apple ID service was triggering multiple password prompts for users in various countries.

In some cases this resulted in password reset.

As of now, issue seems to be resolved.

References:

• Apple users are being locked out of their Apple IDs with no explanation
• Apple ID Accounts Logging Out Users and Requiring Password Reset
• Some users are randomly getting locked out of their Apple ID accounts
• Widespread Problem Has Locked Many Out of Their Apple IDs

EU commission decided to designate iPadOS as 'gatekeeper' according to Digital Millennium Act. Despite not passing the thresholds required for designation, commission decided that iPadOS has significant business impact and therefore should be considered as gatekeeper.

On 5 September 2023, the Commission designated Apple as a gatekeeper for its operating system iOS, its browser Safari and its App Store. On the same day, the Commission opened a market investigation to assess whether Apple’s iPadOS, despite not meeting the quantitative thresholds laid down in the DMA, constitutes an important gateway for business users to reach end users and therefore should be designated as a gatekeeper.

European Commission, per John Gruber

Apple now has 6 months to comply and implement required changes for iPadOS platform. This might result in default browser settings and non-WebKit browsers support, third-party app marketplaces, web app distribution and additional access to platform features.

Apple did not comment on this ruling yet.

Epic Games now planning to revive Fortnite for iPad in EU.

European Commission: Commission designates Apple's iPadOS under the Digital Markets Act

References and further reading:

• EU will force Apple to add app sideloading, alternative browser engine support to iPad
• iPadOS Identified as Digital 'Gatekeeper' Under New EU Tech Rules
• The EU Pulls iPadOS Into the DMA Fray
• The iPad joins the iPhone in DMA land
• Epic plans to revive Fortnite on iPad following EU iPadOS ‘gatekeeper’ ruling
• Epic Games to Bring Fortnite to iPad in EU After iPadOS 'Gatekeeper' Decision
• European Commission Designates iPadOS a DMA ‘Gatekeeping’ Platform Too

Another round of great articles for Apple developers is here.

• Let's start with device management tips – How to Use Apple Managed Device Attestation to secure networks by Chip Loder;
  
  
• Core Data Reform: Achieving Elegant Concurrency Operations like SwiftData by Fatbobman is covering approach on how to make Core Data compatible with modern concurrency model in Swift;
  
  
• Natascha Fadeeva guides us through use of GraphQL in Getting started with Apollo iOS for GraphQL in Swift and GraphQL essentials for iOS development;
  
  
• Some scenarios for CloudKit queries based on CKReference fields by Jaanus Kase explains use of queries in CloudKit-enabled apps;
  
  
• Majid Jabrayilov explains layout tips in SwiftUI – Content margins in SwiftUI;
  
  
• Wade Tregaskis talks about his experience with multiple displays on Macs – Multiple displays on a Mac sucks;
  
  
• Privacy Manifests and Required Reason APIs on iOS by Nishant Desai covers upcoming requirement from Apple;
  
  
• Donny Wals shares multiple articles on Swift and concurrency – Dispatching to the Main thread with MainActor in Swift, What are lazy vars in Swift?, if case let in Swift explained and Deciding between a computed property and a function in Swift;
  
  
• Using @Environment in SwiftUI to link Swift Package dependencies by Antoine van der Lee helps mixing SwiftUI Environment and packages;
  
  
• Charlie Chapman explains errors in StoreKit – What is SKErrorDomain Error 0 and what can I do about it?;
  
  
• Tiago Gomes Pereira explain how to use maps in SwiftUI – Searching for points of interest in MapKit with SwiftUI and another take on displaying 360 images in visionOS – Creating an immersive experience with a 360-degree image in visionOS;
  
  
• How to Mirror Any View in SwiftUI? by Leonardo Maia Pugliese is a good example on how to add view effects in SwiftUI;
  
  
• Luca Palmese explains uses of ML – Applying sentiment analysis using the Natural Language framework.

And finishing up with great video by David Smith – An Inclusive Mindset.

This is it for today. Come back next time for more great topics!

Apple launches new series of sessions 'Made for Business' in participating Apple Stores. Sessions focus on use of Apple hardware in business environments focusing on small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Kicking off during National Small Business Week in the U.S., Today at Apple will offer six “Made for Business” sessions throughout May in Chicago, Miami, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., with ongoing programming in select stores around the world throughout the year. Led by small business owners with diverse and unique stories, the sessions will highlight how Apple products and services have powered their businesses’ success.

Apple Newsroom

Apple Newsroom: Apple launches “Made for Business” in select stores around the world