Apple Launches News Center (RSS Feed) for iPhone Devs

Apple has informed registered iPhone developers that a new iPhone developer RSS feed is available for them. Located here, the feed contains news and announcements, as well as rapid access to vital documentation, for the entire iPhone developer community.

“iPhone Developer News and Announcements Now Available via RSS,” Apple’s latest update on the iPhone Dev Center reads. “You can now subscribe to a new RSS feed that will allow you to instantly receive updates to the iPhone Developer News and Announcements,” the Mac maker explains. “Get the latest information on a wide range of topics including tips on submitting apps to the App Store, current turnaround time for app review, program updates, development and testing techniques, and much more. Subscribe now,” the message ends.

Just below the big announcement, another important piece of news is posted. “iTunes Connect Unavailable December 23 - 28, 2009.” Apple explains that the tool used to manage apps or to access reports, iTunes Connect, will be unavailable from December 23 through December 28, 2009. The company assures those depending on the feature that access will be resumed on the 29th of December, this year.

Adding a section dedicated to updates, tips, and how-to information on iPhone and App Store topics is likely a move that the iPhone developer community greatly appreciates, having come to expect the worst possible scenarios when submitting an app for approval. Apple has been struggling to maintain a good relationship with iPhone devs since launching the App Store, yet still has a long way to go before achieving a platform both it, and developers can accept as a common playground.

The company developing the Mac operating system has also introduced a tool providing developers with a status on their submitted application(s). Using the tool, developers are able to track the progress of their submitted app, see whether it’s waiting to be reviewed, and can be informed by Apple that their title is ready to hit the App Store.