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Wednesday, January 23, 2013, 12:56 pm
Apple job listing tips new API, framework for next version of iOS
A job listing on Apple's own website indicates that the company will be rolling out brand new APIs and frameworks for the next version of its iOS mobile operating system.The listing discovered by AppleInsider, which seeks an iOS Frameworks QA Engineer, entices potential applicants with the promise of developing "the very first iPhone/iPad app that uses a new API/framework in the next version of iOS." That engineer would join the iOS team, working with different engineering teams within iOS and Apple in order to ensure the quality of APIs and frameworks.
Major iOS releases are typically revealed at Apple's WWDC in June.
While the listing gives no indication of what specific new APIs could appear in the next version of iOS, it is an early confirmation that the next version of Apple's mobile OS will feature new and expanded APIs and frameworks. This, in itself, is no surprise, as Apple is continually adding features to its offerings; it is, though, a rare public acknowledgement from the notoriously secretive company.
The listing is one of a number on Apple's jobs page making reference to future versions of iOS. Another listing calls for an iOS Software Engineer working in App Compatibility, who would be charged with "analysis of issues found in existing and future releases of iOS software."
The listings give no indication as to when the next major version of iOS will debut. But if history is any indication, Apple will unveil what will presumably be known as "iOS 7" at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June.
Last year's WWDC was held in early June, where the company offered its first public glimpse of iOS 6 with an all-new Maps application, as well as the new Passbook feature. The software for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch launched three months later, in September.
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Previous Comments View All
A job listing on Apple's own website indicates that the company will be rolling out brand new APIs and frameworks for the next version of its iOS mobile operating system.
Ya think?
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What do you all think? Will they completely revamp their current concept? Will they create 'Live Tiles'/ alter the Springboard? Or will they keep on enhancing every little aspect there is to iOS, building on solid foundation, expending on proven tech?
edit: Sol has given us a couple of ideas which have been 'warmly received'. One was this, I believe:
Or perhaps this idea from the internet is something that would work:
Or perhaps bring Mission Control to iOS, RiM seems to be doing it:
Or perhaps taller App Switching/Multi Task icons:
Slow news day?
A new version of an operating system (any operating system) with no new APIs would be truly baffling.
I was thinking the same thing. I am under the impression there are hundreds of new APIs for iOS each year but perhaps we should be focusing on the framework. How many new frameworks appear?
I was thinking the same thing. I am under the impression there are hundreds of new APIs for iOS each year but perhaps we should be focusing on the framework. How many new frameworks appear?
I thought maybe they'd announce, "0 new features," and really mean it this time.
I haven't really done a count, but there is probably at least one new framework per version. Any major new feature (end user or developer) often means a new framework.
I like this, but that's already taken up by Notification Center. They can either move Notification Center back to the very top of the lock screen (so then it would be consistent through the whole OS) or get rid of it entirely.
I don't understand this. Is it "swipe down with one finger, starting on the app in question, which shows notifications for said app"? What's wrong with better organization in Notification Center?
I've never understood these; what's the point? It seems like a waste of RAM/temporary storage, and is anything these previews could show really important or large enough to be meaningful to see like this?
New framework and APIs? How about a biometrics framework? As in face thumbprint recognition through the FaceTime camera and (rumored) thumb print scanner in the iPhone 5S home button?
Typing passwords is the worst typing chore in iOS right now. Strong passwords should be long, should contain some cap letters, numbers, and punctuation, and shouldn't be auto-completed by UITextField. iOS could be made more secure and security itself could be made far more convenient through some kind of biometric recognition framework.
Come to think of it, maybe Apple's long-term plan for iOS (and maybe also OS X) is to eliminate as much typing as possible. Siri queries, dictation, and biometrics might be just the first steps toward that goal. And speaking your password would be terribly insecure. (Unless there's also a voice match framework to detect individual users' voices...)
edit: Sol has given us a couple of ideas which have been 'warmly received'. One was this, I believe:
image: ttp://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/19526/width/500/height/1000
I had imagined the Settings options would be revealed by swiping the clock to the right or left (as shown below in my abysmal mockup) but I think yours is much more elegant with the single pull down.
I like the way that looks but I can't figure out how one would activate it. Long hold on the icon? But that's taken. Quick double tap? Does that break the guidelines? Whatever they do I hope do something as I find Notifications to be less then optimal. I only seem to check it for weather once every week or so which means cleaning out all the old notifications.
image: http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/19528/width/500/height/1000
Or perhaps taller App Switching/Multi Task icons:
image: http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/19529/width/500/height/1000
The BB10 has some good ideas. I don't think Apple is afraid of losing any marketshare to them or losing any money to Android-based devices but I do hope we get something that truly adds to the usefulness in iOS 7 without affecting any current usability.
New framework and APIs? How about a biometrics framework? As in face thumbprint recognition through the FaceTime camera and (rumored) thumb print scanner in the iPhone 5S home button?
Typing passwords is the worst typing chore in iOS right now. Strong passwords should be long, should contain some cap letters, numbers, and punctuation, and shouldn't be auto-completed by UITextField. iOS could be made more secure and security itself could be made far more convenient through some kind of biometric recognition framework.
Come to think of it, maybe Apple's long-term plan for iOS (and maybe also OS X) is to eliminate as much typing as possible. Siri queries, dictation, and biometrics might be just the first steps toward that goal. And speaking your password would be terribly insecure. (Unless there's also a voice match framework to detect individual users' voices...)
Great points! I agree, I'm constantly typing in PW's in my iPhone. Would love just to place my thumb on my iPhone.
Slow news day?
A new version of an operating system (any operating system) with no new APIs would be truly baffling.
I was thinking the same thing. I am under the impression there are hundreds of new APIs for iOS each year but perhaps we should be focusing on the framework. How many new frameworks appear?
Frameworks are usually a collection of APIs and are useful to interface with new core features such as third party apps being able to communicate with Passbook or Maps, for example, where each framework might have dozens of individual APIs. That communication can be streamlined for the developer with the use of a framework.
I think functionally iOS works fine for me. Minor tweaks are always welcome.
To be honest the only thing that really bothers me is the inability to customize some
Of The features and shortcuts.
I do believe a cosmetic overhaul is needed.
That may seem trivial to some, but honestly, after seeing the same format for 5 years span across 6 hardware iterations....a visual chnge would be greatly welcomed in my camp.
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Slow news day?
A new version of an operating system (any operating system) with no new APIs would be truly baffling.