Developers aren’t happy with Apple’s surprise release of iOS 14

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By | https://twitter.com/gadget_ry

Ryan Daws is a senior editor at TechForge Media, with a seasoned background spanning over a decade in tech journalism. His expertise lies in identifying the latest technological trends, dissecting complex topics, and weaving compelling narratives around the most cutting-edge developments. His articles and interviews with leading industry figures have gained him recognition as a key influencer by organisations such as Onalytica. Publications under his stewardship have since gained recognition from leading analyst houses like Forrester for their performance. Find him on X (@gadget_ry) or Mastodon (@gadgetry@techhub.social)

Turns out developers want more of a heads up before a major OS update is pushed to over one and a half billion users.

Apple’s event yesterday was focused on launching shiny new watches and tablets. The only major announcement for developers was the bombshell that iOS 14 is launching today:

Ok, so granted there’ve been eight public betas of iOS 14. Most developers probably knew a final release was imminent. Shihab was among those who was fortunately as prepared as could be:

However, we say “prepared as could be” because Apple didn’t even issue final tools until yesterday – a fact highlighted by renowned developer Steve Troughton-Smith:

But wait, it gets worse.

Many developers have been left bewildered by Apple’s actions. This isn’t Cupertino’s first rodeo—the company has a process in place which, to coin a phrase from the great Steve Jobs, “just works”.

Here’s how the process typically goes:

  • Apple announces new OS releases during its annual WWDC conference, which gives developers a heads up of the new features they’ll have at their disposal.
  • The company generally releases around 5-7 betas (although this has reached up to 12) where it fixes some things while breaking others.
  • Around a week before the final release, Apple releases a “Golden Master” of the OS and developer tools.
  • Developers use this week to ensure any tweaks during the betas haven’t broken their apps or updates are made for newly-announced devices. The app is then prepared for submission.
  • Apps are submitted as ahead of the full OS release as possible to accommodate for Apple’s notoriously slow approval process.

Developers have been left with just a day to do those last three points. Many approvals won’t happen in time and some apps could be left broken during a period when there’s a lot of hype around the new OS release and people are trying apps:

What a mess.

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3 comments on “Developers aren’t happy with Apple’s surprise release of iOS 14”

  1. Gary on

    Not happy with the 14 iOS when you try to slide your apps it’s so annoying,,can’t you let things be and stop updating every 2 minutes get used to one thing it changes,I got I phone 7 it’s best phone I have had off apple please leave it alone

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