Features of iOS 8 that Developers Should Be Aware of

iOS 8, the latest OS version of iPad or iPhone from Apple have finally come up and have instantaneously captured the market with a lot of buzz. If the feedbacks that have already gathered in the forums as well as message boards are to be believed, this version has striking similarities with the earlier version, though with some added features, which are still not very apparent to the users.

From the developers’ point of view as well, the latest version comes up with a string of new features that are really awe-inspiring. The developers need to know about them so as to have an improved grip on the operating system.

Additional toolkit for the benefit of the developers

The latest version has finally managed to get rid of some of the limitations that the 7^th edition of the OS had, with the help of certain add-ons. The version has come up with some of the most exquisite built-in or embedded controls, which the developers can use for enhancing the applications.

New workarounds for developers

Because of the presence of so many new as well as additional features, the process of development has also undergone a sea change. While the previous versions saw use of C programming language for development of the apps, the new version will need the use of newer languages for development of apps.

App Extensions

iOS 8 comes up with a string of app extensions that help the developers to extend the functionality of the app as well as the content all through the system with the supply of an app extension code, which helps them to customize the functionality within the perspective of the task that are predominantly of the users. The developers have the option of using the extensions for placing the power of the app depending on where the users would require it most. The version comes up with 7 types of app extensions – share, today, photo editing, customer keyboard, storage provider, customer actions, and document picker.

Touch ID

The latest edition comes up with a property by the virtue of which developers are now able to use Touch ID for authenticating a particular user, prior to accessing the app contents partially or fully. Data collected through fingerprint is safeguarded and hence can never be accessed by any other app including iOS.

PhotoKit

This particular feature provides the developers a string of new APIs that help them work with the images as well as videos that are generally managed and taken care of by the Photos App. Thus, developers are able to make technical adjustments by the virtue of which, the users can edit the images directly from the camera roll instead of having to import the images at first and then edit them. The most important features that the Photokit comes up with include a thread-safe architecture that fetches and caches the thumbnails along with full-sized assets, asking for changes in the assets, taking stock of the changes that are made by other applications and doing resumable editing of the content of the assets.

HealthKit

This is another extremely critical feature that helps the developers to incorporate fitness and health related services. It also helps them to store all the shared health and fitness related issues and information in a single location so as to be accessed as well as shared by the end users. The feature helps to store the information in a secured and centralized location. It also provides the users the option of deciding which data needs to be shared and which should be left aside.

It also helps access to any health related data that are shared and can also deliver user related information without the need of implementing the specific devices that are designed to track fitness.

Games

The new version has something new for the developers when it comes to games as well. The new range of technology that the new version has come up with has made implementation of the game’s graphics as well as the audio features much easier. The developers now are able to take the advantage of several high level frameworks for easier development and use of several low-level enhancements for harnessing the GPU power to the fullest extent. If you are looking for iPhone app development companies we can help you develop stable, scalable and secure apps.

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How Swift offers the best of features of other languages ?

Apple's latest Swift programming language derived most of its features from a broad sample of scripting & programming languages, due to which iOS & OS X developers are enjoying it. On an InfoWorld slideshow, Peter Wayner digs up 10 features which make Swift very good such as data structure declarations, tuples, signed & unsigned integers, as well as, closures. In addition, he explains the source & progress of the features in previous languages such as JavaScript, Haskell, C#, Python, & Java. Apple's latest programming language upgrades iOS development through creating excellent ideas created anywhere else. Swift could technically be "new," according to the Swift documentation, Swift is just like a bunch of top concepts used in different programming languages, brought introduced with a new name.

Dictionaries is from the JavaScript - JavaScript developers have long and used square brackets to take an integer like a typical array or take a string which therefore responds like hash table. At present Swift programmers could do the same. Apple names the hash tables as "Dictionaries" and provides a clean syntax in initializing them. Inferred data types are from the functional programming languages - In todays programming, nobody wants to spend keystrokes indicating data types for each variable. Nowadays various well compilers began inferring types through the data, that is generally simple enough in case a variable is initialized. It started with a few functional languages, such as ML, and appeared in Haskell, Scala, & Opa, among others. Due to Swift, iOS developers may now save some keystrokes. Data structure declarations is from C# and the Java - Java launched Generic types with Version 5 so that programmers can notify the compiler which of the data type would be moved to the HashMaps, Arrays, or to the Collections. The greater-than & less-than signs, aka angle brackets, mentioned exactly what types will pushed inside. Microsoft included those to C#. At present it will be Swift's move to allow programmers notify the compiler what to anticipate.

String templating is from Cold Fusion, JSP, & the others - Lot of programming tools provide methods to insert a variable's value to a template. Web tools like Cold Fusion & Java Server Pages have offered an easy option to mix data to HTML with templates. Swift features a sleek templating system with the escaped open parentheses, with the expression to evaluate, with a closed parentheses. 3 additional characters would be the smallest amount of keystrokes required to provide this function. Optional semicolons is from JavaScript and the Python - Some JavaScript & Python programmers in past couple of years, have discussed if semicolons are really optional. Is a semicolon essential or just a good form? Swift weighs in certainly into the discussion: Semicolons are actually optional at end of the lines. If you'd like to pack several expressions within the same line, you may need a semicolon, however in case you place them to individual lines, you don't have to wear out right pinkie tapping the semicolon key. Protocols (aka interfaces) is from the Java and the C# - While programmers make elaborate object-oriented class structures in the Java & C#, they usually start with an interface in the foundation. Interface is usually a basic class which defines structure for any of the functions which the classes need to provide as long as they like to fit the definition. Swift having the term "protocol" in sketching out the blueprint for the collection of classes.

Tuples is from Lisp & Python - Early languages such as Lisp believed that everything had been a list or perhaps a tuple, but more advanced languages such as Python provide explicit syntax for the matching within the N value delivered from the method using the N variables which will be bound to them. Swift pursue with this tradition. Automatic reference (akin to garbage collection) is from Java, C#, and (gasp) Objective-C - Previous reports suggested that the Swift had been sporting garbage collection, those of automatic routines which sweep by memory reclaiming bytes no more being used. Java & C# programmers enjoy garbage collection, at least until it leads to their machine towards freeze up for a moment. Swift having automatic reference counting, an identical solution that has been used often by Objective-C users. Signed and unsigned integers is from C# and Objective-C - Swift comes with signed & unsigned integers that are with 1, 2, 4, & 8 bytes exactly like Objective. Closures is from Lisp & Scheme via JavaScript - JavaScript programmers picked up closures from the languages such as Lisp & Scheme which completely developed the concept of Lambda functions. Swift at present presents closures and ability to pass on functions like first-class objects.You can get in touch with a iphone app development company who can help you develop apps that are stable, scalable and secure.

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Best Practices for Mobile App Development on iPhone

iPhone app development

Despite the growing popularity of Android mobile operating system, no one can deny the huge popularity of iPhone apps. The combination of innovative features and stylish interface make the iOS apps popular among users across the world. But the huge popularity of iPhone apps often makes it a daunting challenge for the developers to build new applications. As an experienced iPhone app developer, you may find the process both rewarding and fun. However, the new developers have to look for the perfect starting point for the application development project. Regardless of your experience, you can still consider best practices for mobile app development on iPhone to build a powerful interface within a limited timeframe.

Best Practices for Mobile App Development on iPhone

Involve Users in the Planning Phase: Each developer need to make a roadmap to develop the iPhone app on schedule. But most programmers forget to include users in the planning and testing phase of the project. You can always optimize the application idea by getting it evaluated by certain users in the initial planning phase. Also, you can allow the users to try the app, and observe the problems faced by them. You can always avail the assistance of your friends to check the impact of the mobile application on end users.

Allow Adequate Time to Test the App: With companies launching apps at frequent intervals, the mobile application development has become competitive. So, clients often require developers to build the application a time sensitive deadline. As the app will be approved by the Apple app store about two weeks after your submission, you must prepare a schedule to test and market the app properly. During the initial planning phase, you must decide the timeline for testing and marketing the app before it is approved by Apple.

Make a Content Strategy: The mobile apps are similar to websites. As no website can be hosted without content, the mobile applications cannot be designed without deciding the content and context. You will need content as early as possible to develop the app in a quick and hassle-free way. When you are planning the app, it is a good idea to decide the content. If you are using the services of a professional content writer, he must be instructed to develop content according to the initial plan. However, he may also be required to change the content slightly once the app development process is over.

Consider Designing Heterogeneous Applications: Once you develop an iPhone app, it needs to be updated regularly to support interface updates and provide fresh content. The heterogeneous apps make it easier for you to update the app by avoiding the app store approval process. As the app consists of a native base that is executed by referencing to HTML5 content located externally, you can replace the existing content at your own pace and convenience. Along with availing the advantages provided by HTML5, the heterogeneous application further allows you to execute the native code without requiring internet connectivity.

Take Advantage of the Device Components: Similar to other smartphones, iPhone also comes with a set of innovative features and tools. Some of the device components like microphone, high resolution camera and GPS are used by all users. So you can consider using these device components to optimize the performance of your mobile app. Further, these components will help you in improving the user experience without writing longer lines of code. However, you must choose the components according to the nature and requirement of the app maintain its speed.

Use the Latest Security Features: Along with gathering several types of information and data, users also carry out financial transactions using their iPhones. So there are chances that you app will require users to submit several types of sensitive information. As the sensitive financial and contact details of a user can be used to carry out identity thefts and financial frauds, you must use the latest security techniques. Along with availing the security features of the smartphone, you can also consider using the advanced encryption techniques to gain the trust of end users.

Understanding these best practices not only helps you during app development process, but also helps you in evaluating top app development companies.

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