Tag: QAs or Testers

WWDC23 edition of weekend good reads is here. Surely, there are still sessions you want to watch or re-watch, but there are already great articles that go well with WWDC content.

• Paul Hudson gives great overview of Swift 5.9 features – What’s new in Swift 5.9?;
  
  
• Article by Majid Jabrayilov continues on new features but for SwiftUI – What is new in SwiftUI after WWDC 23;
  
  
• Marco Eidinger highlights all new frameworks announced – All new frameworks presented at WWDC23;
  
  
• New SwiftUI Support for MapKit in Xcode 15 by Audrey Tam explains MapKit usage in SwiftUI;
  
  
• Natalia Panferova shares several great articles: pattern matching guide – Swift enum pattern matching with extra conditions, new inspector views in SwiftUI – Inspectors in SwiftUI, new static properties for color and images – Access colors and images from asset catalog via static properties in Xcode 15, grouping controls in context menus – ControlGroup in context menus in SwiftUI, keyboard usage in iPadOS – Keyboard driven navigation with focusable() on iPad in SwiftUI, and great hint on Binding usage – How to map a SwiftUI state to a binding of a different type;
  
  
• Christian Tietze explores more uses of pattern matching – Swift Pattern Matching with Extra Conditions, and the Value of Syntax Summaries, SwiftUI introspection practices – How to Inspect SwiftUI.TextField.onSubmit and Figure Out You Can't Programmatically Use It, and highlights one issue that developers could encounter – SwiftUI.List with Menu with Plain Button Style Breaks Event Loop;
  
  
• Lee Kah Seng provides great performance debugging tips – 5 Simple Steps to Find Slow Code Using Xcode Time Profiler;
  
  
• Sarun W. goes through couple of WWDC announced features – What's new in SF Symbols 5, How to preview UIViewController in Xcode Previews, How to preview UIView in Xcode Previews, Xcode Previews with UIKit and AppKit in Xcode 15;
  
  
• ContentUnavailableView: Handling Empty States in SwiftUI by Antoine van der Lee explains uses of new dedicated view when no content is available;
  
  
• Great article on App Store rejections by Charlie Chapman – The ultimate guide to App Store rejections;
  
  
• And finishing with great review of Vision Pro by John Gruber – ★ First Impressions of Vision Pro and VisionOS.

And... Apple Treats team reviews WWDC23 announcements in next episode – Spatial Computing! on June 14, 2023 at 9:00am PDT. Join us with your thoughts and impressions! See you on the live stream and come back next week for more great articles!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ-4ClIvf7U

New releases will support less hardware than current ones.

iOS 17 will be supported on these devices (and, obviously next models):

• iPhone XS and XS Max and newer
• iPhone XR
• iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd gen)

iPadOS 17 will be available:

• iPad mini (5th generation and later)
• iPad (6th generation and later)
• iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
• iPad Pro (all models except 1st-gen 12.9-inch)

watchOS 10 will be land on these watches:

• Apple Watch Series 4
• Apple Watch Series 5
• Apple Watch Series 6
• Apple Watch SE (1st and 2nd gen)
• Apple Watch Series 7
• Apple Watch Series 8
• Apple Watch Ultra

macOS 14 will be supported on these Macs:

• iMac: 2019 and later
• iMac Pro: 2017
• MacBook Air: 2018 and later
• MacBook Pro: 2018 and later
• Mac Pro: 2019 and later
• Mac Studio: 2022 and later
• Mac mini: 2018 and later

References:

• Which iPads support iPadOS 17? Here’s the list …
• iOS 17 drops support for iPhone 8 and X, here are all compatible models
• watchOS 10: These are the Apple Watch models compatible with the update
• Which Macs support macOS 14? Mostly only Apple Silicon models. Here’s the list …

Apple started its annual developer conference with Keynote and Platform State of the Union. First day of WWDC is packed with announcements.

Mac hardware

Apple unveils MacBook Air 15" with M2, and M2 Ultra powered Mac Studio and Mac Pro. The new ‌MacBook Air‌ starts at $1,299. Prices for the second generation Mac Studio start at $1,999. Mac Pro starts at $6999.

MacBook Air 13" with M2 chip is now starting at $999.

iOS / iPadOS 17

iOS 17 gets new features focusing on communications and sharing. Contacts app is revamped with emphasis on photos and typography. Standby view is added for iPhone.

iPadOS has more customization for Lock Screen. Widgets now could be interacted with.

Also, AirDrop now has new experience when users hold their phones close to each other.

macOS 14 Sonoma

macOS 14 Sonoma now has "Game Mode" which improves performance for games, minimizes delays. macOS also gets interactive widgets that could be placed everywhere.

Safari gets a lot of privacy and security improvements. Improved support for web apps is announced.

watchOS 10

watchOS 10 brings support for widgets. New design language is introduced.

tvOS 17

tvOS 17 gets support for Continuity Camera hinting on new tvOS-powered devices with camera hardware.

Vision Pro and visionOS

Apple unveils Vision Pro mixed reality headset. Price is starting with $3,499, US sales are expected to start early next year. Other countries to follow later.

Device has 12 cameras, 6 microphone and many other sensors. Also, device has external display that could show user’s eyes (feature is called EyeSight). During FaceTime calls device will show face by using trained ML model and device cameras.

Vision Pro will be able to run iOS and iPadOS apps in windowed mode. Also, headset supports direct 3D experiences built using RealityKit, ARKit. Unity is also supported as development framework.

Windowed apps could be powered by SwiftUI which is updated to better support depth.

Apple to host labs in multiple cities for developers to try their apps on real device before public launch. Simulator is available as a part of development tools.

visionOS SDK is to be available later this month.

Agreements update

The App Store Review Guidelines, the Apple Developer Program License Agreement, and the Apple Developer Agreement have been updated to support updated policies and upcoming features, and to provide clarification. Please review the changes below and accept the updated terms as needed.

App Store Review Guidelines

• Added to 2.5.18: “Apps that contain ads must also include the ability for users to report any inappropriate or age-inappropriate ads.”
• Revised bullet point 11 of 3.1.2(a): “Cellular carrier apps may include auto-renewing music and video subscriptions when purchased in bundles with new cellular data plans, with prior approval by Apple. Other auto-renewing subscriptions may also be included in bundles when purchased with new cellular data plans, with prior approval by Apple, if the cellular carrier apps support in-app purchase for users. Such subscriptions cannot include access to or discounts on consumable items, and the subscriptions must terminate coincident with the cellular data plan.”
• Added to 4.1: “Submitting apps which impersonate other apps or services is considered a violation of the Developer Code of Conduct and may result in removal from the Apple Developer Program.”
• Revised 4.4: “Apps hosting or containing extensions must comply with the App Extension Programming Guide, the Safari App Extensions Guide, or the Safari Web Extensions documentation and should include some functionality, such as help screens and settings interfaces where possible.”
• Revised 4.4.2: “Safari extensions must run on the current version of Safari on the relevant Apple operating system.”

Developer Program License Agreement

• Purpose; Definitions; Sections 2.6, 3.2, 3.3.4, 3.3.38, 3.3.63, 5.1, 6.3, 6.6, 7, 7.3, 7.5, 7.6, 14.2; Attachment 7: Specified requirements and functionality for apps on visionOS.
• Definitions: Updated requirements for Corresponding Products.
• Definitions; Section 3.1: Specified requirements for universities and their Authorized Student Developers.
• Definitions; Section 3.3.62: Specified requirements for use of the Tap to Present ID API.
• Definitions; Sections 3.3.40, 3.3.64, 5.1, 10; Attachment 10: Specified requirements for use of mobile device management (MDM).
• Definitions; Section 3.3.65: Specified requirements for use of the iWork Document Exporting API.
• Definitions; Section 3.3.67: Specified requirements for use of the Sensitive Content Analysis Framework.
• Definitions; Attachment 3: Updated requirements for development of Passes.
• Section 3.3.9: Added requirements for use of third-party SDKs and certain APIs, clarified restrictions on use of data derived from a device.
• Section 3.3.42: Added requirements for use of certain Apple Pay APIs.
• Section 3.3.63: Specified requirements for providing a partially immersive experience in an app.
• Section 3.3.66: Specified requirements for the use of the Shallow Depth and Pressure feature.
• Section 6.7: Added information on App Analytics.
• Attachment 2: Clarified requirements for use of the In-App Purchase API.

Apple Developer Agreement

• Sections 4, 6: Updated requirements for access to and use of pre-release materials.

Beta download: Operating Systems

Apple Developer:

• WWDC23 schedule and lab requests now available Systems
• Xcode 15 beta now available
• What’s new in privacy on the App Store
• Updated agreements and guidelines now available
• WWDC23 Overview
• Updated agreements and guidelines now available
• Introducing Apple Vision Pro and visionOS
• Spotlight on developing for visionOS

Apple Newsroom:

• Apple introduces the 15-inch MacBook Air
• Apple introduces M2 Ultra
• Apple unveils new Mac Studio and brings Apple silicon to Mac Pro
• AirPods redefine the personal audio experience
• Apple announces powerful new privacy and security features
• iOS 17 makes iPhone more personal and intuitive
• iPadOS 17 brings new levels of personalization and versatility to iPad
• Apple provides powerful insights into new areas of health
• macOS Sonoma brings new capabilities for elevating productivity and creativity
• Introducing watchOS 10, a milestone update for Apple Watch
• tvOS 17 brings FaceTime and video conferencing to Apple TV 4K
• Introducing Apple Vision Pro: Apple’s first spatial computer

References:

• Apple announces new Mac Pro powered by M2 Ultra: PCI expansion, $6999 starting price
• Apple Announces New 'NameDrop' Contact Sharing Feature Coming in iOS 17
• Apple announces macOS Sonoma with aerial screensavers, Game Mode, and more
• Apple Announces macOS Sonoma With Desktop Widgets and More
• Apple Announces watchOS 10 With Widgets, Redesigned Apps, and More
• Apple Announces New Intelligent AirPlay Features With Hotel Room Support
• This is Apple Vision Pro, the mixed reality headset for spatial computing
• Apple Reveals 'Vision Pro' Headset and visionOS

iTunes for Windows prior to 12.12.9 had a critical security vulnerability. Issue is now resolved and all users are encouraged to update as soon as possible.

Microsoft Windows Apps: iTunes

Reference: PSA: Serious Windows iTunes vulnerability discovered, immediate update advised

Okay, I get it, it's weekend before the show. But why would you drop your routine? Let's go through some great technical and one fun article.

• Let's follow the hype with some ChatGPT related topics from Michal Tynior – Pitfalls of the ChatGPT and Fine-tuning OpenAI models;
  
  
• Natascha Fadeeva provides review of CI/CD concept – Continuous integration and delivery for iOS;
  
  
• Network Path Monitoring by Keith Harrison provides modern way to monitor network availability;
  
  
• Marco Eidinger shares interesting hints on debugger usage – Skip code during debugging in Xcode;
  
  
• Mastering Swift Foundation Formatter API. Basics by Majid Jabrayilov refreshes knowledge on data formatting in Swift;
  
  
• Point-Free Pointers provide guidance on navigation in Composable Architecture – Navigation tools come to the Composable Architecture;
  
  
• Antoine van der Lee explores code sharing between server and client code in Swift – Share Swift Code between Swift On Server Vapor and Client App;
  
  
• SwiftUI: Trailing label TextField by Magnus Jensen is great example of making nice task-focused UI control;
  
  
• Natalia Panferova gives hints using compositing groups in SwiftUI – Using compositing group for unifying shapes within buttons in SwiftUI;
  
  
• Tiago Gomes Pereira gives great overview of accessibility in SwiftUI – Preparing your App for Voice Over: Labels, Values and Hints;
  
  
• Amazing post on sophisticated debugging techniques by Bruno Rocha – Performance Trace Profiles in iOS: Debugging performance issues you can't reproduce.

And, as promised, fun one – refresh your Apple history knowledge with WWDC 2023: The Pregame Quiz by Jordan Morgan.

Get ready for WWDC23 – next week will be definitely packed with new stuff we'll be learning the whole summer!

Apple publishes another round of beta versions. No significant changes reported for these releases. No new beta for Xcode yet.

Beta download: Operating Systems

Release notes:

• iOS & iPadOS 16.6 Beta 2 Release Notes
• macOS Ventura 13.5 Beta 2 Release Notes
• watchOS 9.6 Beta 2 Release Notes
• tvOS 16.6 Beta 2 Release Notes

Apple issues bug fixes releases for watchOS – 9.5.1. No new features reported, however, it is assumed that this update covers security issues as well.

Reference: Apple Releases watchOS 9.5.1 With Bug Fixes

With less than a week before WWDC23 starts Apple now announces Swift Student Challenge winners and opens registration for Slack channel for all conference activities.

Apple's website now provides regular AR easter egg reminding to watch keynote on June 5 at 10am PT.

Apple Events: WWDC23

Apple Developer: Code new worlds

Apple Newsroom: Meet 3 winners of the WWDC23 Swift Student Challenge

References:

• Apple teases WWDC23 with morphing AR Easter egg, here’s how to see it
• Apple promoting WWDC23 Swift Student Challenge winners, award includes AirPods Pro and special pin pack
• Watch the WWDC23 keynote with these 4 options, set a reminder, more

Apple notifies developers on upcoming changes in purchase receipt signing certificate. Developers who use custom receipt validation should update their software accordingly.

If your app validates App Store receipts on device, make sure your app will support the SHA-256 version of this certificate. New apps and app updates that don’t support the SHA-256 version of this certificate will no longer be accepted by the App Store starting August 14, 2023.

Apple Developer

Apple also notifies developers that they should migrate to Xcode 14 or notarytool utility by November 1, 2023. Submissions from Xcode 13 and altool utilities will be no longer accepted then.

Important dates:

• June 20, 2023. Receipts in the sandbox environment will be signed with the SHA‑256 version of this certificate for devices running a minimum of iOS 16.6, iPadOS 16.6, tvOS 16.6, watchOS 9.6, or macOS Ventura 13.5.
• August 14, 2023. Receipts in new apps and app updates submitted to the App Store, as well as all apps in sandbox, will be signed with the SHA‑256 intermediate certificate.
• November 1, 2023. Notarization requests will be only accepted by Xcode 14 and newer or notarytool.

Apple Developer:

• Upcoming changes to the App Store receipt signing intermediate certificate
• Handling App Store receipt signing certificate change
• Apple notary service update

We're almost there for WWDC23. Just a little bit over a week. And we've got good collection of articles for this long weekend.

• Amazing guide on push notifications by Natascha Fadeeva – Developer guide on push notifications for iOS;
  
  
• Natalia Panferova also explains to test remote push notifications with Simulator – Testing remote push notifications on iOS simulator in Xcode 14;
  
  
• And one more her article is about Layout protocol in SwiftUI – Using Layout protocol to align explicitly positioned views in SwiftUI;
  
  
• Back deploy Swift Function by Sarun W. explains how swift functions could be back deployed to previous iOS versions;
  
  
• Antoine van der Lee shares his hints on how to get featured on App Store – 10 Tips to Get Your App Featured on the App Store;
  
  
• Handling WebP Images When Using PHPickerViewController by Lee Kah Seng might be useful for those who work with different image formats;
  
  
• Stefan Kieleithner provides a guide on making stylable UI components in UIKit – Customizable UI Components on iOS Using UIKit;
  
  
• Swift Concurrency Continuations: Getting Started by Alessandro Di Nepi gives great advises on mixing legacy and new concurrency models in Swift;
  
  
• Jacob Eiting gives an overview of effective communications – How we communicate at RevenueCat.

And while you're still here, we'd like to invite you to our pre-WWDC Apple Treats episode – join us live on May 30 at 9:00am PDT. See you there! :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhXiDJTzQps