AppleInsider Staff
Previously, developers had to pay between $499 for the "Select" tier and $3,499 for the "Premier" categorization. The newly revamped Mac Developer Program is modeled after Apple's wildly successful iPhone Developer program, and offers technical resources, support and more.
Developers who subscribe receive pre-release versions of forthcoming software for Mac OS X, including the operating system itself.
"Receiving pre-release Mac OS X software is an exclusive benefit for all Mac Developer Program members," the official developer site reads, "and allows developers to begin incorporating the latest technologies into their development process, test for compatibility, and report bugs."
Subscribers also gain access to the Apple Developer Forums, where they can discuss development topics with Mac developers and Apple engineers. The program also offers exclusive development videos from Apple engineers and experts.
Xcode tools are still available as a free download, but access to pre-release software and Apple's technical support are available only with the $99 annual subscription.
With more than 140,000 applications available for download on the iPhone App Store, developers have embraced Apple's mobile platform with the iPhone OS. The coming release of the iPad, based on the iPhone OS, has generated even more interest in the mobile operating system.
With so many developers finding success on the iPhone, Apple is undoubtedly looking to court more developers to write for the Mac platform. At $99, the Mac Developer Program carries the same annual price as the iPhone Developer Program.
Andrew O'Hara
Malcolm Owen
Wesley Hilliard
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
52 Comments
I wondered why I had not heard about this from AI yet. I just noticed it today but I think they changed it a few days ago.
edit: I guess it was just yesterday
nice idea but the days of a lone coder in the garage are long gone. even on the iphone i see more professional apps that require a team of people and development tools other than what Apple gives you coming out every day
I guess I didn't read the email very well which Apple sent me today and already deleted.
I have a premium account so I just dismissed it as not applying to me. This is cool if it only costs $99 now that is going to save us a bunch of money. They probably won't send the free t-shirt though which i like receiving. I think it said something about continuing to support the hardware discounts and software download. Can someone verify?
Does anyone know if you also get to download Snow Leopard Server with this new membership? $500 software for only $100 sounds a little too good to be true.
Hopefully more developers developing for OS X.