Category: Platforms

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

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

No details are provided by Apple on actual hardware specifications of Vision Pro so far. Some information is gathered through WWDC sessions, interviews, responses.

Sensors

Apple announced 12 cameras, 5 sensors on the headset. LiDAR, and 3D imaging cameras are installed. Apple mentioned that only some of these cameras and sensors will be available for developers, while others will be used for face scanning and gesture recognition. Four cameras with LED illumnatio will be tracking eye movements.

Physical controls

Headset features Digital Crown (which also acts as a button) and separate button which could trigger photo capture or video recording. No controllers are required to work with Vision Pro. There are multiple "standard" hand gestures which are detected by the system and custom gestures could be implemented by application developers.

Gestures

Notably, Vision Pro support direct touch manipulation and "indirect" subtle finger gestures like pinches. Eye glance is used to highlight element which will be responding to gesture.

Graphics

Internal displays are made using micro-OLED technology and have total of 23 million pixels. It is reported that Vision Pro runs on 90Hz refresh rate with boosts to 96 Hz to display 24 FPS video content properly.

Chips

Vision Pro is powered by M2 and R1 chips. M2 acts as CPU/GPU engine for the headset while R1 is focused on signal processing to accumulate and analyze information coming from cameras and sensors.

Power

Headset could be used plugged in or via external battery. Vision Pro should have 2h battery life.

References:

• What We Know About the Apple Vision Pro Hardware So Far
• Apple Vision Pro runs at 90Hz refresh rate most of the time
• These Gestures Are How You Control Apple Vision Pro

Apple just published summary of WWDC23 updates in developer documentation.

Documentation covers new and updated frameworks, Xcode and development tools, privacy and security topics and many more.

Apple Developer:

• WWDC23
• Sample Code

Figma design resources for iOS and iPadOS 17 now available. Sketch resources are also available.

Apple is to provide more updates on design language of visionOS. Currently, WWDC23 sessions are recommended for watching.

Also, updated fonts were published, and SF Armenian, SF Hebrew and SF Georgian are added.

All updates to Human Interface Guidelines and other resources are published on Design site.

Figma: Apple Design Resources – iOS 17 and iPadOS 17

Apple Developer:

• Apple Design Resources
• Fonts for Apple platforms
• visionOS
• Design – What's new

This fall businesses will be able to accept digital ID stored in Apple Wallet to verify customers. This could be used to verify identity or just customer's age. Biometric authentication will be required to access ID.

Starting this fall, businesses will be able to accept IDs in Apple Wallet — no additional hardware needed. This will streamline their ability to securely check a customer’s age in person for things like alcohol purchases, or to verify a customer’s identity at checkout for car rentals, and more. To seamlessly and securely present their ID in Wallet to an enabled business, users simply hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near the business’s iPhone. Users will be shown what information is being requested and whether the receiving party will be storing the information. Users will then be asked to authenticate and consent by using Face ID or Touch ID.

Apple Newsroom

Apple Newsroom: Apple previews new features coming to Apple services this fall

References:

• Apple Announces Businesses Can Accept iPhone IDs Later This Year
• Apple to expand how digital IDs can be used this fall

First day of WWDC23 was packed with announcements. Here is a list of announcements captured by media.

Optic ID

Apple Vision Pro will have its own biometric authentication based on iris. iOS and iPadOS apps running on headset which use Face ID or Touch ID for authentication will automatically switch to Optic ID for seamless experience.

Siri

Siri now drops "Hey" part of activation phrase. Moreover, you can now do follow-up requests to speed up interaction.

Vision Pro

Apple to provide developers with Development Kit later this year.

Headset will have support for prescription lenses, not all prescriptions will be supported though.

Safari

Safari gains extensive support for web apps in macOS 14 Sonoma. Safari also brings support for spatial computing with <model> tag providing easy way of displaying 3D content alongside with web page.

Health

Follow up notifications to take medications are added. Mental health and vision control features are also built in. Device will now notify users if they're holding device too close to their face.

Various enhancements

• Autocorrect and predictive text were significantly improved in iOS/iPadOS 17.
• iPadOS 17 adds support to external webcams, not just those which are embedded into display.
• AirTags now could be shared between multiple users.
• Used SMS verification codes could be automatically removed.
• App Store Review Guidelines now target fake and "bad" apps.
• Optimized charging comes to more Apple Watch models.
• Developers without paid membership now could install developer betas.
• Stickers in Messages now could be created from photos.
• Video conferencing features with presenter overlay would be available to different applications.
• iOS Photos will recognize pets.

Apple Newsroom: Apple previews new features coming to Apple services this fall

References:

• Apple announces new Optic ID biometrics for user authentication on Apple Vision Pro headset
• Apple says it has fixed iPhone autocorrect with iOS 17
• Siri no longer requires ‘Hey’ command to activate, now has back-to-back requests
• iOS 17 Lets You Share AirTags With Others
• iOS 17 Can Automatically Clean Up Verification Codes That Clog Up Messages App
• Apple to Provide Developers With Vision Pro Development Kits
• Apple Vision Pro Headset Supports Prescription Inserts for Glasses Wearers
• News from WWDC23: WebKit Features in Safari 17 beta
• iOS 17 Introduces Follow-Up Reminders to Take Your Medications
• App Store Review Guideline updates go after fake apps, bad ads
• iOS 17 Tidbits: Enhanced Siri Suggestions, Multiple Timers, Recipe Visual Look Up, and More
• watchOS 10 Extends Optimized Charge Limit to More Apple Watch Models
• Apple Makes Developer Betas Free to Download and Install
• iPadOS 17 Adds Support for Studio Display Webcam and Other External USB Cameras
• You Can Turn Your Photos Into Animated Stickers With iOS 17
• WWDC 2023: New FaceTime Features Coming This Fall
• iOS 17 Photos App Recognizes Your Pets

During first day of WWDC23 Apple announced winners of annual Apple Design Awards.

This year has six nominations both in apps and games:

• Inclusivity
  • App: Universe — Website Builder
  • Game: stitch.
• Delight and Fun
  • App: Duolingo
  • Game: Afterplace
• Interaction
  • App: Flighty
  • Game: Railbound
• Social Impact
  • App: Headspace
  • Game: Endling
• Visuals and Graphics
  • App: Any Distance
  • Game: Resident Evil Village
• Innovation
  • App: SwingVision: A.I. Tennis App
  • Game: MARVEL SNAP

Apple Developer: Apple Design Awards 2023 winners and finalists

Apple Newsroom: Apple announces winners of the 2023 Apple Design Awards

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