European iOS developers can begin testing alternative app stores 

Apple this week began implementing its controversial plans to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), allowing developers to now submit alternative app stores and external apps via App Store Connect.

This development comes amid Apple's efforts to meet the DMA requirements by March 2024. With the deadline looming, Apple is taking proactive steps to enable developers to test their apps and marketplaces ahead of time.

In an update on its developer website, Apple...

9 February 2024 | API

Deazy acquires Geektastic to flaunt talented developers

Bristol-based Deazy – a tech startup connecting enterprises with global development talent – has acquired Geektastic, a provider of customisable, expert-reviewed technical skills assessments. The acquisition allows Deazy to demonstrate the quality of its developer community to potential clients.

Founded in 2019, Deazy partners with companies like the RAC and Popeyes to help accelerate their digital delivery by matching them with top developers from its network of 85 partners...

8 February 2024 | Developer

Evinced’s accessibility testing solutions triple in adoption 

Evinced, a provider of web and mobile accessibility solutions, saw its customer base triple in 2023 on the back of new prevention-focused tools like Unit Tester and Design Assistant. These innovations allow developers and designers to automatically catch accessibility issues long before release, marking a shift for the industry toward prevention versus post-hoc fixes.

The company’s impressive expansion has cemented its status as a top accessibility vendor, counting 6 of the 10...

7 February 2024 | Development Tools

OpenText unveils next-gen cybersecurity auditing technology

OpenText has unveiled the second generation of its advanced cybersecurity auditing technology called Fortify Audit Assistant—aiming to help developers build more secure software amid rising threats and complexity in multi-cloud environments.

The key upgrade is the use of predictive analytics and machine learning to emulate human security auditors. By learning from 10 years of human expert data, the new Fortify Audit Assistant significantly improves accuracy and reduces false...

6 February 2024 | Development Tools

Developers can seek guidance from Apple on EU App Store changes

Apple has announced that it will allow developers to request consultations to discuss upcoming changes to the iOS App Store in compliance with the European Union's new Digital Markets Act (DMA).

The DMA, for a quick primer, is a sweeping set of antitrust regulations aimed at reining in the market power of Big Tech giants like Apple. 

The consultations offered by Apple – which can be either online video meetings or in-person sessions at an Apple lab in Cork,...

2 February 2024 | App Stores

Unity launches XR app building tools for Apple’s Vision Pro

Unity has officially launched tools for visionOS, Apple's new operating system for its Vision Pro spatial computing headset. The support will allow developers to use Unity's development tools and workflow to build immersive experiences for the Vision Pro.

The announcement comes ahead of the Vision Pro headset's launch on 2 February 2024. Unity's templates, samples and resources will help developers tap into the headset's capabilities using Unity's PolySpatial technology to...

1 February 2024 | Development Tools

Meta explains how it boosted AI development efficiency

Meta's AI engineers were increasingly frustrated with slow build times and inefficient distribution processes hindering their productivity. The company has now outlined the solutions its engineers devised to maximise efficiency.

The workflows of Meta’s machine learning engineers consist of iteratively checking-out code, writing new algorithms, building models, packaging the output, and testing in Meta's remote execution environment. As ML models and the codebases behind Meta's...

30 January 2024 | Artificial Intelligence

Google adds iOS and Android simulators to Project IDX

Google has added iOS and Android simulators directly within its cloud-based developer workspace, Project IDX. 

The search giant launched Project IDX six months ago as an experimental tool to streamline full-stack, multiplatform app development. It consolidates the complex workflows traditionally associated with building mobile and web apps into a single, collaborative environment.

Pasquale D’Silva, developer of the AI-powered content creation app Tanaki built with...

26 January 2024 | Android

Russia claims Apple has paid $13.4M antitrust fine

Russia's Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) claims that Apple has paid a $13.4 million fine relating to anti-competitive practices.

According to Russian news agency TASS, the fine – originally levied at 1.2 billion rubles (then worth $17.4 million) in September 2022 – was confirmed as received by Russian authorities.

"On January 19, 2024, Apple paid the fine. The money was received by the government of the Russian Federation," said the FAS.

The fine stems...

23 January 2024 | App Stores

Metaplay debuts Unity-based SDK to help scale mobile games

Metaplay, known for its fully customisable backend for game development, has debuted a Unity-based SDK to help developers scale their mobile games.

Developed over four years in collaboration with top-tier game studios in Helsinki – including Metacore, Dodreams, and Nitro – the Metaplay SDK is designed to empower developers and studios in creating top-tier online mobile games that can scale as they grow.

Teemu Haila, Co-Founder and CPO at Metaplay, said: “Since...

22 January 2024 | Development Tools