Top 7 Best Practices for iOS 9 App Development

Overviewing Best Practices in iOS 9 Application Development

Recently we are discussed here iPhones can now send middle finger emoji after iOS 9.1 beta update and there after that the most important driver behind Apple’s mobile devices popularity is its maximum attention to detail. 

  
Also Check: 5 Open Source Tools for Web Developers 

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Small, seemingly insignificant details make up product’s appeal for the end user. But to develop a good application, it is not sufficient to give heed to detail at the user interface level. You need to be aware of and comply with the best practices at all stages of development, from design to support.

 

Released on September 16, iOS 9 has already crossed the 20% adoption rate threshold. In contrast comparison, it took Android 5.0 Lollipop nearly nine months to accomplish the same feat.

Given the relatively high adoption rate, it is about time for app developers need to update their apps to leverage iOS 9’s host of new features such as Spotlight search, a much more proactive SIRI, multitasking on iPad, and support for 3D Touch on the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus.

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1. Search APIs

The Search API is one of the most significant improvements for developers in iOS 9. Now with this feature, users can enter terms into iPhones or iPads and apps will show relevant results. 

The three main features of new search APIs are:

The NSUserActivity class, which is mainly designed for viewed app content
The Core Spotlight framework, which is primarily for app content
Web markup, designed for apps with content reflected on a website

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2. 3D Touch

Apple recently launched iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus in its annual September event. With the arrival of Apple’s latest new gadgets, developers can now take advantage of the new 3D Touch features that adds an entire new perspective to UI.

Developers can take advantage of the new feature with a very simple API as a new property in UITouch. A UITouch object represents the location, size, movement, and force of a finger on the screen for a particular event.

This API capitalizes on the possibility of new functionality in apps, such as additional control options fine-grained control or alternative to the tap-and-hold.

In addition to the UITouch APIs, Apple has also provided two new sets of classes adding 3D Touch functionality to apps: UIPreviewAction and UIApplicationShortcutItem.

UIPreviewAction allows to present content in a preview action or peek quick action when a user swipes the peek upward. This new way unlocks a world of new possibilities by allowing a quick glance at app-specific content, such as email, images, or even websites.

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3. App Thinning

This is a big advantage for developers. App Thinning optimizes the install of iOS and watchOS apps to use less device space. With App Thinning, users will only download parts of the binary relevant to the user which primarily depends on the device used.

App Thinning has three main components:

App Slicing: Slicing is the process of creating and delivering variants of the app bundle for different target devices.
On Demand Resources (ODR): Resources hosted by the App Store that can be accessed after the user has downloaded the app.
Bitcode: Incorporating Bitcode allows Apple to re-optimize the app’s binary in the future without having to submit a new version.

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4. Contacts API

Apple has finally provided a full object oriented API via two new frameworks: Contacts and ContactsUI, replacing the Address Book and Address Book UI frameworks. This new API is relatively easy compared to the old approach.

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5. App Transport Security

Whether you are creating a new app or updating your existing iOS app, you should adopt App Transport Security (ATS) that applies best practices for secure connections between an app and its back end. ATS is easy to adopt and prevents accidental disclosure.

If you’re developing a new app, use HTTPS exclusively. If you have an existing app, use HTTPS as much as possible right now. Also, try to come up with a plan to migrate the rest of your app quickly.

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6. HomeKit Gets Sensitive

HomeKit will now add support for sensors, security systems and window shades in iOS 9.
The biggest improvement to HomeKit will be that all HomeKit-enabled appliances will be accessible through an iPhone or an iPad through Apple’s iCloud, enabling remote control from any iOS device.

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7. CarPlay Goes Wireless

CarPlay is ditching the wires in iOS 9. Instead of having to attach an auxiliary cable to the car, CarPlay will connect wirelessly (likely through Bluetooth) to the car’s infotainment system, running all of the CarPlay apps that a user has enabled.
CarPlay will now have different screens for audio apps and car manufacturer apps, bringing an adaptive approach to iOS car app development.