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App Updates, Where Art Thou?
- Thread starter dsiiist
- Start date
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The app that developers use to make apps is called Xcode, when the iPhone 6 & 6+ was announced Xcode was updated to implement an interface for the iPhone 6 & 6+. This update also happened to change the way interfaces are displayed on different size devices and also at what orientations they're being used in. They literally changed the whole way interface gets done - it is better in the long run, but it is a pretty big change.
This also doesn't take into account any of the new APIs that Apple provides that were also updated for iOS8. Depending on the app, some of these def. had to be updated. Even segues were updated. (Segues are how screens are transitioned between each other)
If your app is being re-written in Swift, then the developers for that app, had to re-update their code over and over again. Swift is Apple's new programming language that was just announced in June.
Up until a short time ago the development platforms were split (Xcode 6.0 for iOS and Xcode 6.1 for OS X 10.10), they are now merged under 6.1 which was just released as a GM yesterday. This also brought about a few changes in the Swift language (if applicable to the apps you want updated). So maybe the smart move was to wait until 6.1 was final for both platforms and then update their existing code base.
If your apps use a 3rd party back end service, like Parse for instance, they may be waiting on that service to update their SDK / API for iOS8, going back to Parse, I believe they announced their update a couple of weeks ago.
Or, maybe the developers on your app are hoping to add some cool features exclusive to iOS8, like CloudKit, or Touch ID or any of the other cool new things.
Finally, maybe the developers for the apps you use are waiting on actual test hardware to flesh out any real world issues that may arise, especially if they use things like GPS, or the camera. These things are hard to test for in the iOS simulator.
You'd be pissed for real if the apps you used were updated and not properly tested and you weren't able to use them the way you're used to.
Give them a break. Apple has been putting the screws to us with this release. Things I've spent hundreds of hours on had to be re-done, and re-done, and then re-done.
I feel your pain. Apple changed so many things from iOS 7 to 8 for basically no reason at all this year, introducing a load of issues and bugs. Deprecating UIAlertView and UIActionSheets? Seriously aggravating.
Thanks dude, you cleared a lot of things up
I still want my updates tho, it's just that now I'm not throwing the blame on the devs (thanks to you)
Wow, great way to clarify things for us end-users. After having read all that, I won't bitch about my apps not being ready for my new phone as much anymore! Thanks for that post, it was REALLY insightful.
Thanks dude, you cleared a lot of things up
I still want my updates tho, it's just that now I'm not throwing the blame on the devs (thanks to you)
I'm glad! Believe me, your app developers want nothing more than to make awesome apps taking advantage of all the latest awesome hardware and software.
I know, I'm in hour 15 today in Xcode! Thank god for the occasional Mac Rumors break, the big bag of dunkin' donuts coffee being on sale, a comfortable office chair and (I'd be ashamed to admit how often) quick Chinese food deliveries.
When I closed my eyes to go to sleep last night all I saw were flashes of the Xcode window..appDel..context..request..appDel..context..request.. I hope this stuff is done soon, I miss the outside!
Goodluck troop231!
It's telling that that app, of all apps, get full updates that supports the new phone resolutions while major apps are lagging behind.
Tweetbot has updated for the Plus and 6 as well, so developers are catching up. I really don't think many apps will ever update for the Plus though, it's unfortunate but likely the truth.
But Facebook isn't a one man band updating a small app. Facebook is a billion dollar company and they definitely should have the app updated by now to fit the iPhone 6 and 6+. If Messenger has been updated how come not Facebook?
I get all excited when I see theres an update, look at the changelog and no optimization for the 6 and the 6+..Devs need to hold all updates and realease a fix update w/optimization! Stop putting out update if its not for the 6 and 6+!
because you have to debug and QA it to make sure it works or the whiners will be screaming for blood on the internet
Im hoping it's because they are adding more features; i.e. landscape mode for the 6+ and optimizing the screen space to better utilize the news feed.
How do you find out what has been redesigned/updated, especially if the app isn't already installed on the device whereby you would get an update app flag?
I don't understand wut ur saying dude, I always open the App Store to see if there are any optimized apps, so I found a new update for fruit ninja that contains a complete new redesign
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You are completely right, it's very annoying
Whatsapp has to be updated ASAP. It's losing me to iMessage partly (which consumes way more battery than it's supposed to IMHO)
Enough with the giant keyboard and bad stretched out graphics.
Whatsapp devs are so lazy. It took them forever to update for the iPhone 5 screen size, iOS 7 look etc. How can they be so lazy and anti progressive and so widely used? Stability? Not fixing something that's not broken?
Enough with the giant keyboard and bad stretched out graphics.
Whatsapp devs are so lazy. It took them forever to update for the iPhone 5 screen size, iOS 7 look etc. How can they be so lazy and anti progressive and so widely used? Stability? Not fixing something that's not broken?
Apple Store app was updated, looks great optimized for the Plus. Can't wait til more apps get updated.
I would imagine the devs are trying to think about what to do with all of the added space. Going from 3.5 inch to 4 inch probably was not that big of a deal, but with the 6 and especially the 6 Plus, there is so much more they can do in terms of layout. Best to take their time and get it right.