Apple Extends Developer Deadline for Mandatory App Transport Security Support

Apple on Wednesday informed developers that it has extended the deadline by which apps submitted to the various App Stores will required to use App Transport Security (ATS), a standard introduced in iOS 9 and OS X 10.11.

According to Apple Developer, ATS, first introduced in iOS 9 and OS X v10.11, will now not become mandatory for apps to support by the 1 January 2017. Instead, Apple has decided to give developers "additional time to prepare" for the switch and so has extended the original deadline.
Although ATS is switched on by default in Apple's development toolset, developers currently have the option of deactivating the feature. During this year's Worldwide Developers Conference, however, the company said it would begin enforcing ATS support starting Jan. 1, 2017.

ATS is a feature of Apple's iOS and OS X operating systems which ensure that applications do not load resources over HTTP connections, which are not secure and may be eavesdropped on by attackers. Instead, ATS requires that resources are loaded through HTTPS, a secure communication protocol often used by other services including online banks and e-commerce websites which encrypts data through Transport Layer Security Layer (TLS).

Currently, ATS is enabled by default but app developers do have the option of disabling the feature.

Apple has not announced an expected timeline for ATS integration, saying only that developers will be updated when a new deadline is confirmed. No new deadline has been set for developers to utilize ATS, but the iPad and iPhone maker has promised an update when a new date has been confirmed.

Source : Apple Developer

Apple Seeds watchOS 3.1.3 beta (14S958) to Developers

Apple on 21st December seeded the First Beta of watchOS 3.1.3 Update Build 14S958 to registered developers for testing purpose, the release is a test version of the upcoming update to their Apple Watch Operating System

This can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch App on the iPhone running iOS 10 or higher by going to General > Software Update.

What is required?

This can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch App on the iPhone by going to General > Software Update.

Developers can download the watchOS configuration profile from the link Download and install the build via the Watch app on the iPhone. But to install the update, the Apple Watch must have 

• 50% battery, 
• It must be placed on the charger and 
• It must be in the range of the iPhone. 

watchOS 3.1.3 requires an iPhone running iOS 10 to install.

The watchOS 3.1.3. beta comes shortly after Apple pulled the watchOS 3.1. release after it was found to be bricking some Apple Watch Series 2 devices. Apple has not re-released an updated version of watchOS 3.1.1 that fixes the bug, So many users are still running watchOS 3.1.

Like tvOS, there is no Public Beta for watchOS. If you want access to watchOS 3.1.3 build, you will need to be a registered developer. Once you are, you can download the configuration profile from Apple Developer to your Watch, and then update through the Watch app on your iPhone.

Source: Apple Developers

Apple Launches Beta 2 of iOS 10.2.1 and macOS Sierra 10.12.3

iOS 10.2.1 Beta 2 (14D15) to Developers

Apple announced that it has released iOS 10.2.1 beta 2 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch to developers with build number 14D15 for developers. This update follows the public release of iOS 10.2.

iOS 10.2 included newly redesigned emojis, the TV app for US users, a couple of new screen effects in Messages, amongst other enhancements. iOS 10.2.1 is also available for public beta testers with a release usually a few days behind developer releases. Right now this is available for Registered users of Apple Developer Program.

macOS Sierra 10.12.3 Beta 2 (16D17a) to Developers

Apple seeded the second beta of macOS Sierra 10.12.3 update to developers, one week after releasing macOS Sierra 10.12.2 

Sierra 10.12.2 brought in new emoji, wallpapers, graphics and System integrity protection fixes and the removal of the system battery's estimated 'time remaining' feature.

This second seed of macOS Sierra 10.2.3 beta is available on the developer center and rolling out to the Mac App Store now with a size of 1.04GB.

According to Apple's release notes, the 10.12.3 update "improves the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac." No specific changes, bug fixes, or feature additions were discovered in the first beta, but we'll update this post should any new features be found in the second beta.

iOS 10.2.1 Beta 2 (14D15) and macOS Sierra 10.12.3 Beat 2 (16D17a) are now available to install over-the-air via Settings-General-Software Updates on iOS devices and under the Mac App Store's Updates tab on the Mac.

Source: Apple Developers Blog

Apple to Add Grade Crossings to Maps

Apple to Add Grade Crossings to Maps After Federal Recommendation. Apple will add grade crossings to Apple Maps after a safety recommendation from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Reports The New York Times. The recommendation comes after a two-year investigation into an accident that occurred after a driver got his truck stuck on railroad tracks while following directions from Google Maps.

Grade crossings, or level crossings, are defined as intersections where a rail line meets a roadway, and have become increasingly dangerous areas thanks in part to the rise of digital mapping services.   The case the NTSB cites in its recommendation is that of Jose Alejandro Sanchez-Ramirez, who misinterpreted directions from Google Maps and wound up on a poorly marked grade crossing. His truck, which was hauling a trailer, got stuck on the tracks. While Sanchez-Ramirez was able to abandon his vehicle, a train struck it and resulted in the death of an engineer and injuries to 32 others. There were more than 200 fatalities at grade crossings last year in the U.S. 

Read More

At the time, Google's mapping application did not incorporate grade crossing data, according to NTSB findings. The federal safety agency argues that had Google Maps included such information, and perhaps a warning, Sanchez-Ramirez would have been less likely to mistakenly turn onto the tracks. 

Today, the NTSB issued a safety recommendation that Google and other map providers, like Apple, Should add exact locations of more than 200,000-grade crossings to their mapping data. The Federal Railroad Administration has been lobbying Apple and other tech companies to add the data for the past 18 months.

Along with Apple and Google, the NTSB is calling on Garmin, HERE, TomTom, INRIX, MapQuest, Microsoft Corporation, Omnitracs, OpenStreetMap US, Sensys Networks, StreetLight Data, Teletrac, and United Parcel Service of America to integrate the grade crossing and other rail data into their respective digital services. 

Source: MacRoumors

Appthority warns only 3% of enterprise apps comply with upcoming Apple security mandate

Apple is making a series of security changes for the new year – yet according to new research from Appthority, only 3% of enterprise apps are fully compliant with the new security mandate.

In June 2016, Apple announced that App Transport Security (ATS) will become a requirement for new App Store apps from 1 January 2017.

ATS, which was introduced in iOS 9, forces an app to connect to web services over an HTTPS connection rather than HTTP to keep data secure while in transit by encrypting it.

“Appthority researchers found that the majority of apps in the enterprise don’t fully utilize the best practices encryption standard, which should be a concern to enterprises,” said Robbie Forkish, vice-president of engineering at Appthority.

“The new ATS mandate only applies to new submissions to the App Store, and Apple will be allowing exceptions to ATS, so, while the requirement should strengthen data security, there will still be iOS apps not using data encryption in enterprise environments, even after 1 January 2017.

“For this reason, it’s incredibly important that businesses have visibility into, and management of, the risks related to apps with these exceptions, as they can put enterprise data at risk,” he said.

The research also revealed 55% of apps in use by enterprises allow the use of HTTP, instead of requiring HTTPS, while 83% had ATS disabled for all network connections and 26% had ATS disabled at a global level, with specific exceptions set up for domains.

According to Appthority, existing apps that do not comply with the ATS mandate will not be removed from the App Store, which means enterprises will have to continue to be vigilant about apps in their environments. Read more about the report here.

Source: Apps Tech News

Apple Seeds ios 10.2.1 beta (14D10) and tVOS 10.1.1 beta (14U707)

iOS 10.2.1 Beta (14D10) Update

Apple has just dropped iOS 10.2.1 beta 1 for developers. The contents of the update are currently unknown. iOS 10.2 included newly redesigned emojis, the TV app for US users, a couple of new screen effects in Messages, amongst other enhancements.

The first seed of iOS 10.2.1 weighs in at 1.82 GB for developers over-the-air. Given the minor bump in version number, this is likely a simple bug fix release.

Apple seeded the iOS 10.2.1 beta for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch on December 14th to developers with build number 14D10. iOS 10.2.1 will undoubtedly be released to members of the public beta program in a few days. For more visit Apple Developers Blog

tVOS 10.1.1 Beta (14U707) Update

Apple has issued the first tvOS 10.1.1 developer beta for testing. tvOS 10.1.1 is likely a software update focused on bug fixes and performance improvements. tvOS 10.1 was a feature update that included the new TV app for the first time.

The new version features build 14U707 and are listed on the developer center; an OTA update is expected for Apple TVs with the developer profile installed.

Release notes for tvOS 10.1 listed these changes:

Apple TV Software Update 10.1

TV app: Discover new content or pick up where you left off in a current show or movie—all in one unified place. The TV app brings together all your shows and movies from services that you subscribe to, plus your purchases from iTunes. This feature is available only in the United States for Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Additional: This update also includes general performance and stability improvements. 

For more visit Apple Developers Blog

Source: Link 

Get a View of Wear 2.0's Upcoming Standalone Apps

Google announced that it releases Android Wear 2.0 developer preview 4. A key part of Android Wear 2.0 is letting watch apps work as standalone apps, so users can respond to messages, track their fitness, and use their favorite apps, even when their phone isn't around. Users will be able to search, install, and use apps without ever leaving their device. The standalone nature of the Android Wear 2.0 app will offer a big boost in search performance and app responsiveness.

Here is the view how other developers are enhancing their user experience with standalone apps.

Glide

Glide is the fastest live video messenger app on the planet. Using the Wear Complications API, Glide is now able to live broadcast directly from the watch face. By tapping contact shortcuts from the watch face, you can now launch directly into a conversation. This makes wrist-based communication more accessible and effortless.

Foursquare

Foursquare City Guide will lead you to the perfect spot anywhere in the world. With these app travelers around the world use Foursquare's Android Wear app to discover hidden gems and be in the know about the best places to eat, drink and explore. With their upcoming 2.0 app, the team has a clean new canvas for rich notifications giving users an immersive experience with Foursquare content.

Lifesum

Lifesum helps you make better food choices, improve your exercise, and reach your health goals. Your personalized health and lifestyle guide. The upcoming 2.0 experience complements the existing Lifesum mobile app and as a standalone app, it will allow users to more easily track water and meals throughout the day.

Check out https://goo.gl/qM7Fym for the updates about Android Wear Developer Preview 4.

Source: Android Developers Blog