14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has updated the News and Announcements section of its iPhone Dev Center with a reminder that App Store users can gift an application using a recently introduced “Gifting Feature.” During the past few months, Apple has implemented multiple changes to the iTunes App Store interface, including the iTunes preview, which enables users to open iTunes links and view them in a web browser.
“Gifting Feature Now Available on the App Store,” the latest update on the iPhone Dev Center - News and Announcements for iPhone Developers section reads. “Customers can now gift your paid app to friends and family on the App Store,” the Mac maker says. “Clicking on the disclosure triangle next to Buy App button displays a menu that lets the user purchase your app and send it as a gift. Recipients will receive an email letting them know that a gifted app is waiting for them to download,” Apple explains.
There are currently well over 200,000 applications on the iTunes App Store. Roughly 10.000 are presumably iPad-specific applications, although most of the 200,000 are also compatible with the tablet device. The App Store continues to grow steadily, with thousands of applications being added each month. Just as many updates are being submitted for existing apps on a regular basis.
In related news, developers have been handed a fourth beta of the iPhone OS 4.0 firmware and software development kit (SDK). According to those who’ve been analyzing the software for the past day, AT&T will finally enable data tethering. The option enables a “set up tethering” preference for American users. When the menu is tapped, the software asks users to either call AT&T or to visit the carrier's website to turn the feature on. AT&T is likely to charge extra bucks for the feature. Other changes include a new default home screen layout that puts the calculator, clock and other minor apps into a Utilities folder, several new wallpapers, a more responsive Google Maps and addressed bugs.