Alongside improvements and additions to iOS 8 that are consumer facing, Apple released a multitude of new tools for developers. According to VP of software engineering Craig Federighi, iOS 8 includes more than 4000 new APIs for developers.
These new APIs and tools added for developers will lead to apps that are easier to create and able to do all kinds of new things, from accessing Touch ID to integrating with one another in exciting ways. iOS 8 and its APIs are available to developers immediately, so they can begin development of apps ahead of the public release of iOS 8.
Swift - Swift is an entirely new programming language that's designed to be expressive and intuitive to use, making it easier to create apps for iOS.
Extensibility - This feature lets App Store apps, which are usually isolated in sandboxes, communicate with one another. For example, Pinterest could use the feature to embed a sharing option directly in Safari, or a photo editing app could use the feature to supply filters to the Photos app.
Touch ID - Developers are gaining access to Touch ID, which can be used to sign in to third-party apps, protecting sensitive data. This feature works through the Keychain, so fingerprint data remains protected and is not accessed by iOS or other apps.
PhotoKit - Developers can let their photo apps edit photos directly in the Camera Roll without having to import them. Photo filters and editing tools can also be built to be accessible directly within the Photos app.
Camera API - Third-party camera apps have been granted access to full control over exposure, focus, and white balance, which will result in photography apps that are more powerful than ever before.
HealthKit - Health and fitness apps can now share data with each other and with the new Health app.
HomeKit - HomeKit unifies various home automation apps under a single security protocol, securing parings and allowing the devices, like the Philips Hue lights or the Nest thermometer, to work together with Siri. This will allow users to state a command like "Siri, get ready for bed," to complete several tasks like turning off the lights, closing the garage, and more.
CloudKit - With CloudKit, developers have enhanced access to iCloud, allowing them to store and efficiently retrieve app data. CloudKit also lets users sign into apps anonymously with their Apple IDs.
SpriteKit - SpriteKit, which allows developers to easily create 2D games, has gained new enhancements that will result in better collision detection and lighting effects.
SceneKit - SceneKit is designed to allow developers to create casual 3D games with a physics engine, particle generator, and easy ways to script 3D objects.
Metal - Metal is for high-end console-style games, allowing developers to get better performance from the A7 chip of the iPhone 5s, iPad Air, and Retina iPad mini. EA, for example, is able to use its system-intensive console Frostbite engine on iOS thanks to Metal.
These new APIs and tools added for developers will lead to apps that are easier to create and able to do all kinds of new things, from accessing Touch ID to integrating with one another in exciting ways. iOS 8 and its APIs are available to developers immediately, so they can begin development of apps ahead of the public release of iOS 8.
Swift - Swift is an entirely new programming language that's designed to be expressive and intuitive to use, making it easier to create apps for iOS.
Extensibility - This feature lets App Store apps, which are usually isolated in sandboxes, communicate with one another. For example, Pinterest could use the feature to embed a sharing option directly in Safari, or a photo editing app could use the feature to supply filters to the Photos app.
Touch ID - Developers are gaining access to Touch ID, which can be used to sign in to third-party apps, protecting sensitive data. This feature works through the Keychain, so fingerprint data remains protected and is not accessed by iOS or other apps.
PhotoKit - Developers can let their photo apps edit photos directly in the Camera Roll without having to import them. Photo filters and editing tools can also be built to be accessible directly within the Photos app.
Camera API - Third-party camera apps have been granted access to full control over exposure, focus, and white balance, which will result in photography apps that are more powerful than ever before.
HealthKit - Health and fitness apps can now share data with each other and with the new Health app.
HomeKit - HomeKit unifies various home automation apps under a single security protocol, securing parings and allowing the devices, like the Philips Hue lights or the Nest thermometer, to work together with Siri. This will allow users to state a command like "Siri, get ready for bed," to complete several tasks like turning off the lights, closing the garage, and more.
CloudKit - With CloudKit, developers have enhanced access to iCloud, allowing them to store and efficiently retrieve app data. CloudKit also lets users sign into apps anonymously with their Apple IDs.
SpriteKit - SpriteKit, which allows developers to easily create 2D games, has gained new enhancements that will result in better collision detection and lighting effects.
SceneKit - SceneKit is designed to allow developers to create casual 3D games with a physics engine, particle generator, and easy ways to script 3D objects.
Metal - Metal is for high-end console-style games, allowing developers to get better performance from the A7 chip of the iPhone 5s, iPad Air, and Retina iPad mini. EA, for example, is able to use its system-intensive console Frostbite engine on iOS thanks to Metal.
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