New iPhone OS keeps evolving
Apple has released another beta iteration of the new iPhone OS 3.0 operating system to developers, continuing to inch closer to a release of the final new mobile platform software this summer.
This is the third beta of the operating system that developers have seen as Apple continues to improve the API and the OS code behind it. This is a normal process in the development of any operating system release. As developers use new functionality in their applications development, they often have suggestions for the OS builder and as app developers exercise the system, Apple is surely seeing ways to enhance the new OS behind the scenes.
The biggest change in the newest iterative release of iPhone OS 3.0 has to do with the long-awaited push notification system that is being added to the OS. Apple has decided to use a separate type for each of the three notification methods: badge, text alert, and sound. Developers are now able to register their apps for these different notification types individually, depending to the needs of their users.
Previously, the API required that apps register with the OS in order to receive remote notifications, but controlled the type of notification via settings, which is a completely different way to use the notification system in software calls. Developers universally agreed that this was a welcome improvement in the software, according to an ars technica article.
A couple of other less important improvements were also made. One of these is an improvement to the XIB files created by Interface Builder 3.1. The format for these files has been updated to be “more diff friendly,” meaning that it is easier for multiple developers to work in the code at the same time without creating problems. Apple also released a new version of Dashcode, which is the main tool used for creating Dashboard widgets. This was also welcomed by developers, as it will make it easier to build iPhone-specific Web apps.
Even if the details are slightly above your head, you can rest assured that developers and Apple are working together to make the new iPhone OS the best that it can be. There will be a lot of long hours in Silicon Valley while the development of the OS continues and app developers keep up with the changes. In the end, the user will win with the release of an enhanced, yet stable, operating system.
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