Live Activities are already used to cover major event

Apple’s Live Activity framework is put to the test by developers during presidential elections in Brazil.

Developer shares story behind the app that was used to keep users informed on election counting progress. Overall, while having some limitations, Live Activity framework proves to be good tool for ongoing major events.

Reference: Developers prove the potential of Live Activities with an iOS app to track the Brazilian elections

Apple releases iPadOS 16.1, macOS 13 Ventura and other platforms

Apple releases major updates to iPadOS and macOS. iPadOS 16.1 and macOS 13 Ventura bring several notable features:

  • Stage Manager on both macOS and iPadOS (currently limited to several iPad models);
  • Weather app for both platforms;
  • Shared iCloud Photo Library.

iOS 16.1, watchOS 9.1 and tvOS 16.1 are also released today. HomePod software is also updated to 16.1 version.

These updates also bring:

  • Support for Matter smart home standard;
  • Live Activities on iPhone;
  • Clean Energy Charging in select US states;
  • New Siri UI and features for Apple TV;
  • A lot of other updates across the systems.

Interestingly, Apple Card Savings Account was not introduced with iOS 16.1. It is now expected to be added later.

Also Apple releases Safari 16.1 for older macOS releases.

iOS 16.1 brings support for SKAdNetwork 4.0. Update provides more details on ad performance, better analysis of web ads leading to App Store pages.

Xcode 14.1 gets second Release Candidate so far.

Beta download: Applications

Release notes: Xcode 14.1 RC2 Release Notes

Apple Newsroom:

Apple Developer:

References:

Another round of beta versions is published for iOS, iPadOS, macOS and tvOS

Apple prepares for iPadOS 16 and macOS 13 Ventura releases. This time there is one round of beta versions. Interestingly, no new watchOS beta is available yet. Also, no new Xcode beta is there.

No notable changes are reported in new round of betas.

Beta download: Operating Systems

Releases notes:

Weekend good reads for Apple developers, issue #43

While we're in the midst between iOS and iPadOS releases, we have couple of things to read during the release.

And that is it. Have some rest, probably play with new shiny Apple Watch Ultra and come over next weekend for new articles.

Weekend good reads for Apple developers, issue #36

Yes, it's August already. iOS 16 is to be released in just over a month. Let's see what we have for this weekend to read.

And that is it for today. Have a great weekend!

Beta 4 for iOS 16 and other platforms is out, Live Activities are in

Apple releases beta 4 for iOS/iPadOS 16, macOS 13 Ventura, watchOS 9 and tvOS 16. Most notable addition is support for Live Activities.

Live Activities and ActivityKit won't be included in the initial publicly released version of iOS 16, but will be publicly available in an update later this year. Once they're publicly available, you can submit your apps with Live Activities to the App Store.

Apple Developer

There are also updates on edit and unsend functionality in Messages:

  • Unsend is available only for two minutes after messages was sent;
  • Edited messages now show the log of edits.

Beta download: Operating Systems

Apple Developer:

Release notes:

References: