Category: Events

Apple provides stories of three Swift Student Challenge 2023 winners. Stories show inspiration for the projects and details on the path from idea to actual application.

Apple Developer: Meet three winners of the 2023 Swift Student Challenge

Apple Newsroom: Apple’s WWDC23 Swift Student Challenge winners code to share their passions with the world

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

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 announces Keynote and Platform State of the Union time for WWDC23. Keynote will start 10am PT, June 5, 2023. Platform State of the Union is planned for 1:30pm.

Apple also announced Apple Design Awards finalists. Winners will be announced on June 5, 2023 at 6:30pm PT.

Apple Newsroom: Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference to kick off June 5, 2023

Apple Developer:

• Swiftly developing
• Apple Design Award finalists announced
• Apple Design Awards – Meet the 2023 finalists
• WWDC23

References:

• WWDC 2023 Swift Student Challenge Winners Receive AirPods Pro, Sweatshirt and Pins
• Apple Announces WWDC 2023 Schedule, Including Keynote Time
• Apple teases WWDC 2023, confirms keynote for June 5 at 10 a.m.

This year WWDC will have additional events comparing to WWDC22. There are additional sessions happening on Tuesday, June 6 at Apple Developer Center covering some of the announcements.

Also, some seemingly entertainment event is scheduled at the end of Monday.

Apple Developer: WWDC23

Reference: Apple Park WWDC 2023 Viewing Event to Include Special 'Ring' Tour, Evening Activity and Extended Developer Sessions

Apple today announced WWDC23 to be online event to take place June 5 – 9. Additional in-person all-day event will be held on June 5 at Apple Park.

Swift Student Challenge is also announced for this WWDC. Students are welcome to demonstrate their skills, prizes and exclusive WWDC23 outwear will be provided to winners.

Apple Developer: WWDC23

Apple Newsroom: Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference returns June 5, 2023

Apple announces another series of sessions with App Store team from February 28 til April 13. Sessions include topics on app marketing, product pages, user acquisition, design, subscriptions, in-app events.

Apple to host sessions in multiple languages and different time zones to allow more users to participate.

Apple Developer: Meet with App Store experts

Apple Developer Events: Meet with App Store experts (schedule)

Apple to host in-person developer event for employees dedicated to machine learning and artificial intelligence.

While this event is targeted to Apple employees only, it might result in more announcements on AI future in Apple platforms, ChatGPT competition and possible future directions for Siri.

This event also gives some hints that in-person WWDC might be hosted in 2023.

References:

• Apple to hold in-person ‘AI summit’ event for employees at Steve Jobs Theater
• Apple to Hold In-Person Annual 'AI Summit' for Employees at Steve Jobs Theater

New year sets in. While we wait for Apple to announce WWDC23 dates and format there are several conferences which might be interesting for developers.

• Apprise Conf 2023
  When: March 23, 2023
  Where: Oslo Event Hub, Dronningens Gate 4, 0152 Oslo, Norway
  Prices: kr 990 (students), kr 2,400 (early bird), kr 3,000 (general admission)
  
  
• NY Swifty 2023
  When: April 18 – 19, 2023
  Where: The Roulette, 509 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
  Prices: starting $499 (early bird)
  
  
• Deep Dish Swift 2023
  When: April 30 – May 2, 2023
  Where: Loews Chicago O'Hare Hotel in Rosemont, IL.
  Prices: starting $649 per person
  
  
• Swift Heroes 2023
  When: May 4 – 5, 2023
  Where: Museo dell’Automobile, Corso Unità d’Italia 40, Torino; also online
  Prices: €119 (+ 22% VAT) – in person, €29 (+ 22% VAT) – online
  
  
• plSwift 2023
  When: May 30 – 31, 2023
  Where: Copernicus Science Centre, Wybrzeże Kościuszkowskie 20, 00-390 Warszawa, Poland
  Prices: €149 (early bird), €199 (general admission)
  
• Swift TO Conference 2023
  When: August 10 – 11, 2023
  Where: TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V 3X5, Canada
  Prices: CA$269.87 (early bird) to CA$528.23 (general admission)
  
  
• iOSDevUK 2023
  When: September 4 – 7, 2023
  Where: Aberystwyth University's main campus, Penglais, Aberystwyth SY23 3FL, United Kingdom
  Prices: £160 (early bird), £230 (general admission)

More conferences to be announced later this year. Some of these are accepting new speakers. Plan your attendance accordingly.

Apple announces that answers for Q&A sessions held during recent 'Ask Apple' events will be available for access afterwards.

Apple also asks developers for feedback to shape their next events.

Apple Surveys: Take the survey

Apple Developer: Ask Apple Q&As and survey