Ahead of WWDC, Apple’s Developer app adds Mac support, new features, iMessage stickers

Ahead of Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference starting next week, the company has today launched a new version of its Apple Developer App to better support its plans for the virtual event. Notably, the app has been made available for Mac for the first time, in addition to a redesign and other minor feature updates.

With the needs of an entirely virtual audience in mind, Apple has redesigned the app’s Discover section to make it easier for developers to catch up on the latest stories, news, videos, and more, the company says. This section will be regularly updated with “actionable” content, Apple notes, including the latest news, recommendations on implementing new features, and information about inspiring engineers and designers, alongside new videos.

It has also updated its Browse tab where users search for existing sessions, videos, articles, and news, including the over 100 technical and design-focused videos found in the WWDC tab. The WWDC tab has also been updated in preparation for the live event starting on Monday, June 22.

The redesign has added a way to favorite individual articles, in addition to session content and videos. Plus it includes new iMessage stickers along with other enhancements and bug fixes.

The app, which was previously available on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, is also now offered on Mac.

“Over the last 30 years, developers around the world have been creating amazing apps that entertain, influence culture, and change lives,” said Apple in announcing the updated app. “The Apple Developer app helps everyone stay current and learn about the newest technologies and techniques to make their apps even better.”

Apple had first introduced its Apple Developer app in November 2019, as an update for its existing WWDC app. The company explained at the time the app would make it easier for Apple’s third-party developer community to access key resources, like design articles, developer news, videos and more, instead of just its WWDC-related content. The new app was also aimed at helping connect developers in growing international markets — like India, Brazil and Indonesia — to Apple’s resources.

However, Apple didn’t at the time realize its Developer app would play as large a role as it now will, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In March, Apple announced the cancellation of its in-person developer event in favor of an online version where all the session content would be shared as videos. Last week, it revealed the WWDC agenda, which includes virtual versions of its labs and an updated version of its Apple Developer forums, in addition to its Special Event and Platforms State of the Union keynotes. Much of this content will be housed in the Apple Developer app. But now it’s not supplementing the real-world event — it is the event. That means the app will have to remain stable and be ready for a large influx of developer use in the weeks ahead.

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Apple adds new MacBook Pro graphics option and Mac Pro SSD upgrade kit

A week before kicking off WWDC, Apple introduced a pair of upgrades to its pro-level hardware lines. Both the 16-inch MacBook Pro and the Mac Pro desktop are getting select internal upgrades, starting today.

One the notebook front, the 16-inch model gets an additional graphics configuration. The addition of the AMD Radeon Pro 5600M GPU marks the best graphics performance yet for the notebook line, marking up a 75-percent speed increase over the the next-highest configuration, the Radeon Pro 5500M.

MacBook Pro 16” first impressions: Return of the Mack

And it’s priced to match. The 5500M with 8GB of memory is a $100 premium over the system’s $2,799 base. The 5600 with 8GB of HBM2 memory, on the other hand, will run an extra $700. But if you’re going to go for the top of the line, you might as well really go for the top of the line, right?

A closer look at Apple’s reinvented Mac Pro

A full specked out model (without tossing in an extra software) will run $6,699. Obviously that’s a super-high-end professional configuration, which is going to be crazy overkill for most of us. If you run a studio that does video production, 3D design or special effects, and want to really future-proof the thing, on the other hand, it might be worth a look.

Speaking of future-proofing, Apple also just rolled out a new feature designed to make it easier for users to upgrade the Mac Pro. A new SSD kit is designed for user-installation, featuring 1, 2, 4 and 8TB storage modules. Instructions for upgrading the high-end tower can be found here.

The MacBook update is currently available through Apple’s site. The SSD upgrade, meanwhile, should be arriving later today. 

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This Week in Apps: Android 11 beta, Snapchat’s makeover, Apple’s WWDC20 plans

Welcome back to This Week in Apps, the Extra Crunch series that recaps the latest OS news, the applications they support and the money that flows through it all.

The app industry is as hot as ever, with a record 204 billion downloads and $120 billion in consumer spending in 2019. People are now spending three hours and 40 minutes per day using apps, rivaling TV. Apps aren’t just a way to pass idle hours — they’re a big business. In 2019, mobile-first companies had a combined $544 billion valuation, 6.5x higher than those without a mobile focus.

In this Extra Crunch series, we help you keep up with the latest news from the world of apps, delivered on a weekly basis.

This week, we’re looking at the mobile news from the events that didn’t happen this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. That includes the launch of Android 11 beta, which would have normally arrived during Google I/O, along with all the new Android developer tools. Snap also held its partner summit this week, where it announced a number of new Snapchat features, new partner relationships, and its plans for its AR ecosystem.

Not to be left out, Apple stole a little attention this week with its reveal of the WWDC20 schedule. Like many others, Apple’s conference is going virtual for the first time. It’s even redesigning its forums to aid with Apple engineer-developer interactions.

This week in app trends, we examine data from new reports on COVID’s impact on home improvement apps and hypercasual gaming.

Headlines

Android 11 beta launches along with new developer tools

After a series of delays and the cancellation of Google I/O, the Android 11 beta finally launched this week. This next major version of the Android OS is focused around three themes, says Google: People, Controls and Privacy.

On the People side, Android 11 gives conversation notifications a dedicated section at the top of the shade, offers a Bubbles API for messaging apps, improves Voice Access, adds new emoji and more. New consolidated keyboard suggestions allow Autofill apps and Input Method Editors (e.g., password managers and third-party keyboards), to now securely offer context-specific entries in the suggestion strip.

 

New device controls make it easier for users to access and control connected/smart home devices with a long press of the power button or access payment options. New media controls in an upcoming beta release will make it easier to switch the output device for audio or video content.

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This Week in Apps: Android 11 beta, Snapchat’s makeover, Apple’s WWDC20 plans

Welcome back to This Week in Apps, the Extra Crunch series that recaps the latest OS news, the applications they support and the money that flows through it all.

The app industry is as hot as ever, with a record 204 billion downloads and $120 billion in consumer spending in 2019. People are now spending three hours and 40 minutes per day using apps, rivaling TV. Apps aren’t just a way to pass idle hours — they’re a big business. In 2019, mobile-first companies had a combined $544 billion valuation, 6.5x higher than those without a mobile focus.

In this Extra Crunch series, we help you keep up with the latest news from the world of apps, delivered on a weekly basis.

This week, we’re looking at the mobile news from the events that didn’t happen this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. That includes the launch of Android 11 beta, which would have normally arrived during Google I/O, along with all the new Android developer tools. Snap also held its partner summit this week, where it announced a number of new Snapchat features, new partner relationships, and its plans for its AR ecosystem.

Not to be left out, Apple stole a little attention this week with its reveal of the WWDC20 schedule. Like many others, Apple’s conference is going virtual for the first time. It’s even redesigning its forums to aid with Apple engineer-developer interactions.

This week in app trends, we examine data from new reports on COVID’s impact on home improvement apps and hypercasual gaming.

Headlines

Android 11 beta launches along with new developer tools

After a series of delays and the cancellation of Google I/O, the Android 11 beta finally launched this week. This next major version of the Android OS is focused around three themes, says Google: People, Controls and Privacy.

On the People side, Android 11 gives conversation notifications a dedicated section at the top of the shade, offers a Bubbles API for messaging apps, improves Voice Access, adds new emoji and more. New consolidated keyboard suggestions allow Autofill apps and Input Method Editors (e.g., password managers and third-party keyboards), to now securely offer context-specific entries in the suggestion strip.

 

New device controls make it easier for users to access and control connected/smart home devices with a long press of the power button or access payment options. New media controls in an upcoming beta release will make it easier to switch the output device for audio or video content.

from Apple – TechCrunch https://ift.tt/3eaYLc0

Apple TV+ to release Tom Hanks naval drama ‘Greyhound’ on July 10

Tom Hanks’ “Greyhound” is the latest movie to skip theaters and head straight to streaming — in this case, to Apple TV+. Deadline reported last month that Apple had picked up the film, which now has a release date of July 10.

Sony had previously pushed back the movie’s release multiple times, most recently settling on June 19 (Father’s Day weekend).

Of course, those plans were scuttled by the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting theatrical closures. Although theaters are preparing to reopen with new social distancing measures, with Warner Bros’ “Tenet” and Disney’s “Mulan” scheduled for release in July, it remains to be seen whether moviegoers are ready to return.

Meanwhile, studios have taken different strategies for different films — delaying some, accelerating VOD/streaming releases for others and either skipping theaters for their own streaming services (in the case of Disney) or selling films to streamers (in the case of Netflix and “The Lovebirds”). Sony went the latter route, with “Greyhound” going to Apple.

Aaron Schneider directed the film, while Hanks wrote the screenplay based on C.S. Forester’s novel “The Good Shepherd.” He also stars as a first-time Naval captain during World War II who has to protect a convoy of 37 ships from Nazi U-boats.

Apple was already working with Hanks on “Masters of Air,” a World War II series executive produced by Hanks, Gary Goetzman (who also produced “Greyhound”) and Steven Spielberg.

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Apple reveals its virtual WWDC lineup, including its special keynote planned for June 22

The coronavirus pandemic threw a wrench into Apple’s plans for its annual Worldwide Developer Conference event, now entering its 31st year. Due to the health crisis, Apple in March joined a number of other companies shifting their in-person events to virtual ones with an announcement that WWDC20 would be held online. Today, the company has revealed the lineup it has planned for its virtual developer event, including its anticipated special keynote address on June 22.

The company announced this morning that WWDC20 would include many the same features developers have come to expect from the annual event, including the keynote address, Platforms State of the Union, over 100 engineering sessions, 1-on-1 labs with over 1,000 Apple engineers and an “all-new” version of the Apple Developer Forums.

The latter is in reference to a coming redesign of Apple’s existing Developer Forums that arrives June 18. The update is focused on allowing developers to connect with Apple engineers in a virtual environment, given they will no longer be able to do so in person. Apple says over 1,000 engineers will be available to answer questions and engage in technical discussions in the forums, starting on the first day of WWDC. Apple Developer Program members will also be able to post questions for engineers to answer.

Similarly, Apple has virtualized its Developer Labs for this year’s events. Now, instead of sitting down in person with an Apple engineer, developers will be able to request an appointment with engineers who helped build the technical advancements the developer wants to implement in their own apps. These labs, which run June 23 to June 26, will also be made available to Apple Developer Program members as space is available.

Starting June 23, Apple will post videos of over 100 technical and design-focused sessions headed by Apple engineers. The videos will post every day at 10 a.m. PDT and will be available to developers in the new Apple Developer app for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV, as well as on the Developer website.

Of course, the big draw for developers and nondevelopers alike is the Apple Special Event Keynote.

This year, the keynote address will be held on June 22 at 10 a.m. PDT, streaming from Apple Park via apple.com, the Apple Developer app, the Apple Developer website, the Apple TV app and again, YouTube. For viewers in China, it will stream on Tencent, iQIYI, Bilibili and Youku. After airing, the keynote will be offered for on-demand viewing across platforms.

The developer-focused Platforms State of the Union keynote will follow at 2 p.m. PDT, where Apple engineering leaders will offer deep dives into new technical features and advances across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS and watchOS. This keynote will be available on-demand on the Apple Developer app and the Apple Developer website. Like the Special Event keynote, the Platforms State of the Union will also be available for playback on Tencent, iQIYI, Bilibili and YouKu for viewers in China.

Ahead of WWDC20, Apple will announce the finalists for its Swift Student Challenge on June 16, the company notes.

Apple is one of many companies now working to take its event online. But hosting a successful version of WWDC may be difficult because it lacks the real-world interactions, serendipitous connections, in-person networking and face-to-face technical support that Apple’s traditional developer conference offers. After all, developer videos and forums were always available, but developers from around the world still flocked to Apple’s event to attend in person.

Apple says more information will be made available in the Apple Developer App, on the Apple Developer website, and by email ahead of this year’s event.

Here’s a short summary of the schedule for easy reference:

• Special Event Keynote: June 22, 10 a.m. PDT
• Platforms State of the Union: June 22, 2 p.m. PDT
• Engineering Sessions: June 23-26
• New Apple Developer Forums: June 18 redesign, engineers arrive for Q&A June 22
• 1-on-1 Developer Labs: June 23-26

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Apple commits $100M to its new Racial Equity and Justice Initiative

Apple announced today a new Racial Equity and Justice Initiative with a new $100 million commitment.

Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives, will lead the initiative. Jackson has notched an impressive list of achievements during her tenure at Apple by focusing on improving the environmental sustainability of the company’s supply chain.

“We’re at an important moment in our history. A time when progress, which has been far too slow, feels suddenly poised to move forward in a great leap,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook in a statement on Twitter. “Things must change and Apple is committed to being a force for that change.”

Beginning in the U.S. and expanding globally, Cook said that Apple will take its $100 million investment and focus on financing initiatives that address education, economic equality and criminal justice reform.

Cook said the company would build on existing work with historically Black colleges and universities, community colleges, and science, technology, engineering and mathematics education — especially among underserved and Black communities.

In addition to the company’s existing relationships, Cook said Apple would work with the Montgomery, Alabama-based Equal Justice Initiative — a nonprofit that focuses on criminal justice reform and racial injustice.

The company will also hold a developer and entrepreneur camp for promising entrepreneurs ahead of its Worldwide Developer Conference.

Finally, Cook said that the company would commit to working on increasing its total spending with its Black-owned business partners and increasing representation within all of the companies that it does business with.

Apple’s initiatives will focus on representation, inclusion and accountability, Cook said.

As part of that, Cook said that the ultimate accountability for changes will fall on the company’s leadership to avoid making requests and having the work fall on the shoulders of employees and partners who are already dealing with lack of representation in their companies. “The burden of change must not fall on those who are underrepresented,” said Cook.

The unfinished work of racial justice and equality call us all to account. Things must change, and Apple's committed to being a force for that change. Today, I'm proud to announce Apple’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, with a $100 million commitment. pic.twitter.com/AoYafq2xlp

— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) June 11, 2020

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