Apple Says That All New Apps Must Support the iPhone X Screen (9to5mac.com)

Today, Apple emailed developers to inform them that all new apps that are submitted to the App Store must support the iPhone X's Super Retina display, starting this April. What this means is that developers of new applications must ensure they accommodate the notch and go edge-to-edge on the 5.8-inch OLED screen. 9to5Mac reports: Apple has not set a deadline for when updates to existing apps must support iPhone X natively. From April, all new apps must also be built against the iOS 11 SDK. In recent years, Apple has enforced rules more aggressively when it comes to supporting the latest devices. Apple informed the news in an email today encouraging adoption of the latest iOS 11 features like Core ML, SiriKit and ARKit. Requiring compilation with the iOS 11 SDK does not necessarily mean the apps must support new features. It ensures that new app developers are using the latest Apple development tools, which helps prevent the App Store as a whole from going stale, and may encourage adoption of cutting edge features. The rules don't mean that much until Apple requires updates to also support iPhone X and the iOS 11 SDK, as updates represent the majority of the App Store. Most developers making new apps already target iPhone X as a top priority.

Comments

Arrogant Apple As Always

[erapert]

Apple: Yeah we changed up the screen and we did a bunch of weird stuff without consulting you.
Developers: You're right, that is some weird stuff that you did there for no reason other than "look at me", but whatever, man.
Apple: And we want you to bend over backwards and change your app around to support the stuff that we implemented without asking or telling you.
Developer: Uh... wait, why did you do this in the first place? Is there a real compelling reason or...?
Apple: Because we had some artist say that he thinks it looks better this way. We might change our minds. But we might not.
Developer: Ugh. So I have to do a bunch of work for no real reason? What's your deal anyway?
Apple: No there's definitely a reason: because we have altered the deal. Now get to work, beeyotch.
Developer: (this deal is getting worse all the time...)

I try to do the exact opposite

[Ecuador]

I have a couple of niche apps (one is for telescope polar alignment and astrophotography tools, the other, "Xasteria", is for an astronomical weather forecast) and I am trying my best to keep them working with as old phones as possible and make new features available to them. So far I am managing to keep them working for 2012's iOS 6, since that is the minimum you can do with a version of the dev tools that is still accepted to the app store, and they only miss a little visual candy (and a faster-rendering webview which is not crucial for these apps) compared to running them a device with a newer iOS - as I do target iOS 10 devices with newer features. And, while my iOS 6 and iOS 7 users are not that many, they absolutely love it and I do get some messages about how excited they are to get new features on an "ancient" iPhone 3GS!
With the latest Xcode there is no way to support such old devices, so when I am forced to use it I will cut out these users who find a good use for their old devices (when you go in remote dark places perhaps with high humidity, having an old device instead of a new one is an advantage).