14 DAY TRIAL // Xcode 4.5 is now out in the Mac App Store with SDKs for OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion and iOS 6, the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system powering iPhones and iPads across the globe.
Previously limited to registered Apple developers, Xcode 4.5 is now freely available to the general population. All you need is an Apple ID to access the Mac App Store and you’re good to download the bits straight away.
In addition to the aforementioned new SDKs, Xcode 4.5 further includes a bunch of new features and enhancements worthy of any developer’s attention.
Whether you’re coding a desktop app or a mobile one, the new auto Layout is now supported on both OS X and iOS.
You’ll get a new localization workflow that can share a single base .xib or a .storyboard file for multiple locales, and the OpenGL debugger for iOS will analyze performance and suggest improvements on the fly.
Developers can now set debugger watchpoints when running on a connected iOS device.
When using properties, Objective-C @synthesize command is generated by default now. Objective-C also adds literal syntax for numbers, arrays, dictionaries, and expressions, according to the changelog.
Xcode 4.5 now supports both OS X Lion and OS X Mountain Lion, so you don’t necessarily have to download Apple’s latest Mac operating system too. Though it’s probably recommended.
Last but not least, the developer toolset has been enhanced for the MacBook Pro with Retina display. Everything should look razor sharp on your new 2012 laptop.
The usual bug fixes and stability improvements are also included, though Apple makes no documentation of any particular errors that have been addressed (at least not on the Mac App Store).
So there you have it. Xcode 4.5, the latest version of Apple’s in-house-developed programming toolkit, is now available for free. Grab it at the link below.