The developers of the pros and cons of switching to iOS 7

To iOS 7 release, there are very little! This is the largest update apple mobile OSes in the history of its existence. For the user, this fact means only one thing - will have to get used to a new look and a slight changes in the internal operation of the system, but the speedy release developers light problem, and very serious.

A fundamentally new design, a lot of the original features, killer, more than 1500 new API - all that you need to master and learn to use in your application. In fact, every developer is calculated in a reasonable timeframe to release an updated application under the updated axis is now forced to postpone everything and saw your product's seven under. But is it worth it? We offer you 7 thought the successful development of the pros and cons of the transition to a fully updated system.

Developer №0: creator of several popular photoappendices

Minuses: Transition to the new version of iOS - it's always a challenge. Not because the new API are difficult to understand, but because as a developer you're so keen on new features that you almost forget about the need to support the previous version. All these cool new development tools will not be available to those who have not yet been updated (or not updated at all going). Unfortunately, you can not in the presence of a serious user audience just go and get everyone at the same time to upgrade.

Another drawback to iOS 7 transit applications is the need to rethink the approach to animation and image processing. Many things become easier with the new API, especially if you're developing an application for working with images. With the release of iOS 7, your child may adopt this new cool animations, and other tweaks, and how you are a developer you do not want to miss a single new feature, which can be integrated into attachment. However, this time there is a question of training - with the capacity of innovation have long to learn. Of course, you can leave the interface unchanged, but someone else will examine all new and it shows in their products, making it more attractive their application.

Pros: On the positive side we should mention the increased scope for creativity as style position, and from the standpoint of development and, again, simplicity - in style and design. Apple offered a solution to combat the most common problems that we, developers face every day. It's not just one in the serial number system version - Apple dealt in great detail with the problem areas, trying to simplify everything, that is possible. The result is a wonderful new development tools, and Apple - the stability, performance and appeal in both its operating system, and the product as a whole.

I can not imagine a better time for developers, when it becomes possible to solve the existing problems and to release beautiful and nimble application for the finest equipment in the world. I love iOS 7 and consider the upcoming release of a landmark development for the entire mobile industry.

Developer №1: the creator of several insanely popular applications for fitness

Minuses: Support for iOS 7 - it is certainly a serious investment of energy and resources. We worked on the adaptation of our applications for iOS 7 More from WWDC. Because of this, we had to postpone many planned improvements, but we believe in the feasibility of bringing the design of our products in accordance with the principles of iOS 7.

From some of the developers we've heard things like "applications must support iOS 7 only," and we think that is a big mistake. We spend time and effort to ensure the correct operation of our products in the iOS 5 to 7, and in a single application. Saving customer loyalty ever set our application - this is extremely important. Most of our people are likely to migrate to iOS 7 for a few months, but someone needs more time, and we do not want it to be poured for them in the future use of our problem products.

Pros: Following the principles of iOS 7 will lead to the birth of more quality applications. In our case, iOS 7 out successfully coincided with the intention to update the user interface, because before that for 4 years we have focused on only functions.

These major upgrades are an excellent detector that separates the best developers of the total number of just good. Software development - it's a marathon, and many will face strong competition in the upcoming migration.

Developer №2: the creator of medical software, appears earlier in the Apple ad campaigns

Speaking of transit applications in the new operating system, we touch on two points: the writing of new applications and the adaptation of the current iOS 6 apps to the new version of the system. In the case of the transfer of existing applications a question about the pros and cons does not arise at all - you just have to do it. User updated and it does not work your application anymore? This is a big problem for you. If we are talking about creating an application with features introduced in iOS 7, then you can talk about the pros and cons.

Minuses: Formally, iOS 7 is compatible with the iPhone 4, but in practice the brakes on it. This means the inevitable loss of the audience. Users of these devices are aware of the possible problems and are unlikely to switch to iOS 7. Ignore those who remain on iOS 6 - then lose them. In the case of the users of the iPhone 3GS and iPod similar opportunity to go at all possible, and to make an application oriented only on iOS 7, it means a guaranteed loss of these users.

UIKit in iOS 7 SDK is quite different previous versions, resulting in many of the standard controls in the UI look different. Sometimes it just is not very nice, sometimes buggy. This implies the need of a functional processing in existing applications, and it's a waste of time and effort.

Some of the new features will only work on certain (most recent) devices. Even if the device is officially supports iOS 7, it may not support some of the features iOS 7. Suppose that AirDrop compatible with iPad 2 and 3, iPhone 4 and 4S, as well as the same iPod. If your application uses AirDrop SDK, you will need to make sure that users somehow learned about the limitations in the application on their devices. And yet, your application should not crash when you use this feature, if it is not supported on the device.

Pros: In general, everything is new anyway destroys something existing and well-established. It is the natural order of things. From attractive innovations iOS 7 can be called AirDrop and video recording at 60 FPS. Multitasking will implement a more competent use of processor resources. Applications will become more independent and able to do something necessary and useful in inactive mode. And, of course, a new level of support for social networking is a great opportunity for the application of this important segment.

Developer №3: the creator of one of the most popular scanners / OCR applications

Our team - 4 independent developer. We make high-quality applications for visualization, as well as to increase productivity. As a consequence, it is essential for us to move towards a new iOS design. At the moment, we are focusing on one fairly young application that adapts to the new iOS.

Minuses: In fact, the transition to iOS 7 was a surprise for us. At least, we did not expect that it will require such efforts to existing applications (we think that is the case with all new applications will be easier). We had to completely change the calendar of planned tasks and releases. It is difficult to say how this will affect the business, but we believe that inaction on in this situation would not be guaranteed to be played in our favor. Harmony operating systems and applications are definitely please our users, so we are now working in this direction.

It is difficult to make decisions in terms of design, when you have so little knowledge and examples of upcoming updates. We have a lot of experimenting. we would like to see more of iOS 7. In fact, Apple official applications do not always look good and work in the betas, and sometimes completely out of place in their (paper texture Reminders and Notes in the new flat world?).

In addition, some API is documented and difficult to understand. Some features in third-party applications is not clear, and Apple does not give any explanation. Being at the forefront of development difficult.

Pros: We started developing for iOS 7 with a bad mood. We do not like many of the solutions used by Apple, but with the passage of time, we were surprised to found that the changes we like more and more (although some things are unpleasant to us so far).

We made a new icon for our application, removed the majority of textures and custom design. It was easy. A real challenge at the moment is the selection of an appropriate palette and animation for us.

Simultaneous support for iOS 6 and 7 seemed to us very difficult, so it was decided to focus only on iOS 7. Due to this we are also much easier to implement new features and iOS 7 features.

Developer №4: the creator of the popular applications for "smart home"

Minuses: They are not so much, though refining costs graphical user interface were higher than expected. But listening izdovok from Android users in general can not be called pleasant.

Pros: It seems that iOS 7 looks modern, and it means that the developers follow the new paradigm of iOS, will produce the corresponding application. In addition, we expect to see a new surge in downloads from the App Store, because users will look for the practical implementation of the new iOS 7 features. As for development, the ability to perform in-app actions, even when it is in the background, though limited, but it seems very promising. Also encouraged the growth opportunities in the creation of user interfaces, improved data handling in iCloud, AirDrop to share documents with other devices, as well as advanced capabilities OpenGL. Now, drawing graphic objects will be faster.

Developer №5: the creator of one of the most popular to-do lists

Minuses: When we first launched our app on iOS 7, we do not take long to realize that the work ahead of us much more than we expected. Appendix looked out of place and felt out of place in a new environment. Like many developers, we immediately began work on updating to iOS 7 app.

Much has been written about the fact that iOS 7 is focused on the content, and this is the truth. Chrome and extra elements here are inappropriate. Our supercharged design application looked like a foreign object in the simulator running on a different system. Even the transition to Helvetica and total relief in the design and icons together with a focus on content not greatly improve the situation.

The biggest challenge for us was to try to follow the new design, without becoming empty clone other applications. It will suffer from all the early development for iOS 7 - they are the same.

Relevant to go beyond the rules will be key to the success of the product.

As for the code, then all is not so bad, even though the API undocumented, changing the principle of operation between successive releases beta versions.

Like many other developers, we decided to make the next update is only for iOS 7. We have a small team and very limited resources. We did not have enough forces on hybrid application that would work well in iOS 6 and iOS 7. Instead, we will make an app that will work smartly in the latest version of iOS.

Pros: On the other hand, our developers were able to throw out tons of the product of a custom code, which realized functions are now available via the API. Things, the realization of which previously took days are now done in minutes. The basic functions are implemented much easier and faster, and it allows time to focus on licking and testing of components and applications in general.

Developer №6: an experienced iOS and Android developer, author of manuals and programming manuals

Minuses: iOS 7 is certainly the most drastic update from Apple. Until recently, the process of application migration from an older version of the operating system to a newer has been virtually painless. In most cases, the application "just work" in an updated system. However, iOS 7 Apple has finally decided to break with the past and move forward their platform. This is definitely a win for Apple's, and it will be a victory for developers, but not without suffering.

Probably the most important source of uncertainty for developers will design and appearance to your applications. In general, if we are not talking about the game, or some kind of full-screen applications, I recommend developers as soon as possible to deal with this problem. Otherwise, the application will look dated.

The best way to reflect on the new design and appearance - imagine that previous iOS versions were not there, and Apple has just released its mobile OS.

If we talk about the code, the developers have to deal with really annoying problem in the design and layout of the user interface. In adapting existing applications to iOS 7 SDK into account there is a need to revise each menu item, and each screen layout to find flaws in it.

In particular, Apple changed the way the status bar interacts with applications, and it will take a decent headache. Previously, this area was outside the competence of the developers (although you can hide it if you want), but now Applications should use the status bar to display information, and this in itself is a serious change.

Pros: The iOS 7 has a really cool things, such as problems in the background and p2p functionality for Bluetooth. Peer-to-peer is very interesting because it opens up great opportunities for the realization of the interaction between the devices when they are very close. Previously, for the realization of these things I had to dodge well. Working in the background - it's great. Thus iOS leveled in this regard with Android. Developers can use these features for more efficient operation of applications. The only thing that concerns me here - the battery life, and is particularly relevant to users is not entirely new devices already managed to develop a part of the resource panels. Initially, Apple prohibits such liberties for applications, but now things are changing. The relevance of such a decision only time will tell.

In short, I recommend developers as soon as possible to join the iOS 7 support. Remain only on iOS 6 - absolutely not an option, as well as retain the old design of their applications. Apple will transfer funds to the development of Xcode 5, and as soon as that happens, the simultaneous operation of two media immediately will have an effect. I believe that the best option was and still is the rapid transition to the latest tools that Apple provides to developers to use. I also recommend completely abandon support for iOS 4 and 5 - the cost of these legacy platforms simply do not pay off or pay off the minimum benefit. I guess iOS 7 accustomed pretty quickly, and the best time to stop supporting iOS 6 already seen the beginning of next year.

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