14 DAY TRIAL // Apple is sending out emails to registered developers notifying them of a scheduled maintenance for iTunes Connect, the portal dedicated to managing application binaries with analytics tools for monitoring monetization.
The Cupertino giant is giving developers an early heads up, as the outage will occur only Wednesday, May 14, according to the email (screenshot above).
“Dear [developer], iTunes Connect will undergo scheduled maintenance on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, for approximately four hours starting at 8 a.m. (PT),” Apple says. “During this time, the iTunes Connect and content delivery will not be available.”
In other words, if you plan on submitting a new application binary, an update to an existing app, or even manage the contents of your app’s description (text, languages, system requirements, screenshots, etc.) you should do so before or after the scheduled maintenance.
The reason for the temporary shutdown is unknown, but this is not the first time Apple has done this, and it may even signal the launch of new developer tools / services.
The company could also be making backend adjustments with an eye on upcoming products, such as the rumored Apple TV with App Store access, or even the elusive (yet unconfirmed) iWatch. Apple’s first product launch event for the year has been scheduled for June 2.