Developers

Services
August 8, 2011
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Apple to offer 25GB of free iCloud storage to current MobileMe subscribers

By on August 8, 2011 at 6:57 PM.

Apple to offer 25GB of free iCloud storage to current MobileMe subscribers

If you’re currently an active MobileMe subscriber, Apple may soon offer you an incentive to move all of your data over to its new iCloud service. From the day the service goes public until June 30th of next year users who move their data to iCloud will receive 25GB of free iCloud storage for as long as their iCloud account is active, 9to5 Mac reported on Monday. Every iCloud user will receive 5GB free from the get-go and and an additional 10GB will cost $20 per year. An extra 20GB will cost $40 per year and 50GB of added storage will set you back $100 annually. ICloud is still available only to developers but we have no doubt it will be fully live by the time Apple finalizes iOS 5 and launches its next iPhone, which is expected to occur in September or October. More →

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mobile
August 1, 2011
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Apple iCloud.com beta launches for developers, pricing revealed

By on August 1, 2011 at 6:59 PM.

Apple iCloud.com beta launches for developers, pricing revealed

Apple’s official iCloud.com website is now live for developers as part of a new beta phase of the service. The website is complete with web applications for Calendar, Contacts, Mail, iCloud for Pages, iWork and Find My iPhone. It also currently has a look and feel very reminiscent of iOS, which we like. We already know that Apple will offer iOS users 5GB of free iCloud storage, but the Cupertino-based company also revealed the official pricing for those who want a bit more storage. Users can sign up for an additional 10GB of storage (15GB total) for $20 per year, 20GB of additional storage for $40 per year, or 50GB of added storage for $100 per year.

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Exclusive
July 23, 2011
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OS X Lion 10.7.2 around the corner?

By on July 23, 2011 at 10:42 PM.

OS X Lion 10.7.2 around the corner?

We’ve just received a tip that OS X Lion 10.7.2, a combo update, is available for Mac developers in Apple’s developer site. While the OS isn’t available on the regular Mac portal, it’s available as a direct link within the iCloud for Lion beta section. No word on what updates or changes will be in OS X Lion 10.7.2.

Thanks, C!

63 Comments
Business
June 30, 2011
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Annual mobile app downloads to jump to 182.7 billion by 2015, IDC says

By on June 30, 2011 at 6:31 AM.

Annual mobile app downloads to jump to 182.7 billion by 2015, IDC says

According to a new report from research firm IDC, annual mobile app downloads are expected to jump from just 10.7 billion in 2010 to 182.7 billion in 2015. The company noted that that developers should keep a close eye on in-app purchases as the primary focus for monetizing applications – a far different approach than the standard method of relying on the initial app purchase. “This shift is most evident in the free app category, where in-app purchases allow users to buy a more functional version of the app or to turn on additional features,” the report said. “In this instance, the mobile apps space is largely emulating the success of mobile games that have long incorporated in-game purchases of additional levels, features, and functionalities as a key revenue source.” IDC argued that ad-supported applications and those that offer in-app purchase options must continue to keep users attracted over time. “The user sustainability trifecta of social networking, location, and the cloud are now increasingly being supported by the business model financial trifecta of application store purchases, in-app purchasing, and in-app advertising,” said Scott Ellison, vice president of mobile and connected consumer platforms at IDC.  Read on for the full release. More →

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General
June 25, 2011
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Android 3.1-powered Google TV 2.0 and ‘Fishtank’ developer program detailed

By on June 25, 2011 at 10:05 AM.

Android 3.1-powered Google TV 2.0 and ‘Fishtank’ developer program detailed

The original Google TV products were met by lukewarm reviews at best, and according to Geek.com, the search giant is hard at work on its new Google TV 2.0 product. Developers have been joining Google’s new “Fishtank” program to get early access to tools that will allow them to create compelling new content for Google’s next attempt at entering our living rooms. Google TV 2.0 runs a barebones version of Android 3.1 (Honeycomb) and there are reportedly only 50 developers partaking in the initial Fishtank program. Fishtank includes an Intel CE4100 reference platform with a beta version of Google TV 2.0 preloaded, and a wireless keyboard. Intel’s Sodaville SoC, part of the CE4100 reference platform, also includes support for 3D gaming and Flash. Geek.com noticed a new “dual-view” feature that allows users to watch TV and use the OS at the same time; and the user interface has the same glowing-blue Tron-like effects as the tablet version of Honeycomb. Developers are said to be up in arms over the “Live TV” application on Google TV 2.0 — many want to interact with the TV interface directly, but Google isn’t allowing that just yet. Will it be enough for Google to tackle Apple TV? We’ll have to wait and see. In the meantime, another shot of the box and a couple of UI images can be seen after the break. More →

37 Comments
Breaking
June 24, 2011
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Apple releases iOS 5 beta 2 [updated]

By on June 24, 2011 at 6:03 PM.

Apple releases iOS 5 beta 2 [updated]

You heard that right. Apple’s just unleashed iOS 5 beta 2 for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch units — for developers only, of course. We’re in the processing of upgrading, and we’ll let you know what we find. You guys do the same, alright?

  • With iTunes 10.5 beta 2, and iOS 5 beta 2, wireless iTunes sync now works.
  • Notifications on the lockscreen are redone — they’re much, much bigger for a single alert, then shows in list view for multiple alerts.
  • iMessage only works with iOS beta 2 both ways, but it’s super fast now. We’re guessing Apple changed the servers they used for this.

Thanks, Doug!

38 Comments
Software
June 20, 2011
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New Adobe Flash Builder lets devs make iOS, Android, PlayBook apps

By on June 20, 2011 at 9:41 AM.

New Adobe Flash Builder lets devs make iOS, Android, PlayBook apps

Adobe on Monday announced the availability of Flash Builder 4.5 and Flex. 4.5, a pair of tools that let developers easily code applications for iOS, Android and the BlackBerry PlayBook. Adobe’s tools now provide developers with a single platform for building apps across each of the three popular mobile operating systems. “The reaction from developers to the new mobile capabilities in Flash Builder 4.5 and the Flex 4.5 framework has been absolutely fantastic,” said Adobe’s VP of developer tooling, Ed Rowe, said in a statement. “They are amazed by how easy it is to create great mobile apps for Android devices, BlackBerry PlayBook, iPhone and iPad. Companies can now effectively reach their customers no matter what type of device they have.” Adobe’s new Flash Builder 4.5 Standard is available immediately for $249 and a premium version is available for $699. Flex 4.5 is a free open source framework. Both tools are also included in Adobe’s Creative Suite 5.5. The full press release follows after the break. More →

7 Comments
Software
June 16, 2011
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Microsoft issues Kinect for Windows SDK beta

By on June 16, 2011 at 2:40 PM.

Microsoft issues Kinect for Windows SDK beta

Windows developers around the world had cause for excitement Thursday afternoon as Microsoft finally released a beta version of its Kinect for Windows software development kit. As the name might imply, this new SDK will allow developers to build Windows software that makes use of Microsoft’s popular motion-based controller as a peripheral. The SDK obviously opens the door for Kinect-controlled Windows PC games, but we’re sure Windows developers will find plenty of creative ways to make use of the great technology. Developers can download the SDK beta immediately via the read link below. More →

9 Comments
mobile
June 13, 2011
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Jailbroken iOS 5 gets third-party widgets

By on June 13, 2011 at 8:50 AM.

Jailbroken iOS 5 gets third-party widgets

Apple introduced iOS 5 and its new widget system just last week during WWDC, and a day later it was jailbroken. Now, Cydia developers have taken iOS 5 a step further by providing new third-party applications that allow users to tweak the Notification Center with new widgets. iOS 5 currently only offers widgets for viewing the weather or a stock ticker, but one app — UISettings — will allow users to quickly toggle their network and phone controls, too. Similarly, a widget called MusicCenter is being developed that enables users to view the current audio track they’re listening to. We can’t wait to see what other developers have in store. Hit the jump for an image of UISettings. More →

77 Comments
Business
June 10, 2011
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Apple takes Lodsys patent fight to court

By on June 10, 2011 at 4:30 PM.

Apple takes Lodsys patent fight to court

A few weeks back, a patent-holding company called Lodsys began contacting developers and asking them to cough up money for using their in-app purchasing technology without a license. Apple intervened briefly and said that its developers are covered under its own license, but now the company has taken the matter to court with an official movement to intervene. The motion officially states:

Apple Inc. hereby respectfully moves to intervene as a defendant and counterclaim plaintiff in the above-captioned action brought by plaintiff Lodsys, LLC against seven software application developers for allegedly infringing U.S. Patent Nos. 7,222,078 and 7,620,565. Apple seeks to intervene because it is expressly licensed to provide to the Developers products and services that embody the patents in suit, free from claims of infringement of those patents.

Hit the jump for more of the back story. More →

24 Comments
mobile
June 10, 2011
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Microsoft shutting down Windows Mobile market, My Phone service

By on June 10, 2011 at 1:24 PM.

Microsoft shutting down Windows Mobile market, My Phone service

While Microsoft was one of the last to launch an app store on Windows Mobile 6, the company will be the first to shut one down as well. Microsoft has alerted Windows Mobile 6 customers that the company plans to shut down the entire service, including the ability for new developers to submit new applications on July 15th. Though customers will still be able to purchase and redownload apps, we’re guessing that’s coming to a close pretty soon as well. Additionally, Microsoft’s My Phone service — the software and service that backs up data on your phone including multimedia — will be going offline as well on August 7th. The goods news is that there’s Windows Phone, and this is a logical step towards shifting consumers over to the new ecosystem.

Thanks, Joshua!

34 Comments
Business
June 10, 2011
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ForeSee Results files declaratory lawsuit against Lodsys

By on June 10, 2011 at 12:15 AM.

ForeSee Results files declaratory lawsuit against Lodsys

ForeSee Results, an industry analyst firm, has filed a declaratory lawsuit against Lodsys in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. ForeSee Results has a few big customers — such as Best Buy, WE Energies, and Adidas — that have reportedly been threatened with legal action by Lodsys, and so the firm has decided to take the fight into its own hands. The results of a declaratory lawsuit should settle the dispute on whether or not the developers using Lodsys’ in-app purchasing technology are covered under Apple’s license or not. If they are covered by Apple’s license, as Apple has already argued, then the hope is Lodsys will stop pestering them to pay up. More →

5 Comments
mobile
June 2, 2011
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Lodsys continues targeting developers despite Apple’s defense

By on June 2, 2011 at 4:30 AM.

Lodsys continues targeting developers despite Apple’s defense

A firm called Lodsys has been targeting Apple and Android developers that it believes are using its in-app purchase technology illegally. Despite Apple’s efforts to argue that its developers are covered under the same license, Lodsys doesn’t appear to be letting up anytime soon — it’s giving developers 21 days to cough up licensing fees before it files lawsuits. In a few recent blog posts, Lodsys explained its position on the matter:

[Apple's] letter was very surprising as Apple and Lodsys were in confidential discussions and there was clearly disagreement on the interpretation of the license terms of Apple’s agreement. Before, during and after these interactions, Lodsys has carefully considered this issue and consulted several legal experts to consider Apple’s claims. We stand firm and restate our previous position that it is the 3rd party Developers that are responsible for the infringement of Lodsys’ patents and they are responsible for securing the rights for their applications. Developers relying on Apple’s letter do so to their own detriment and are strongly urged to review Apple’s own developer agreements to determine the true extent of Apple’s responsibilities to them.

Lodsys is so confident that it has the upper hand in this legal battle that it’s offering developers $1,000 if courts rule that Apple’s license does, in fact, cover them. According to MacRumors, the developers currently being targeted include Combay, Iconfactory, Illusion Labs, Machael G. Karr, Quickoffice, Richard Shinderman, and Wulven Games. Google has yet to respond to Lodsys’ complaints against Android developers. More →

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