14 DAY TRIAL // Following yesterday’s confirmation that iOS 5 is shipping this fall with over 200 new features and new APIs, Apple announced that developers could immediately download and test out a beta of the software, as well as the SDK.
“iOS 5, the latest version of the world's most advanced operating system, includes over 200 new user features, and an updated SDK with over 1,500 new APIs and powerful new development tools,” Apple states on its Developer site.
The Cupertino, California-based tech giant is encouraging programmers to “Start implementing an incredible array of new features that will delight your users, including iCloud Storage, Notification Center, Newsstand, iMessage, Twitter integration, Game Center, and more.”
Available solely to iOS Developer Program members with a $99 a year subscription, iOS 5 beta and iOS 5 SDK beta are free downloads.
On the page dedicated to iOS 5 for developers, Apple highlights some of the most noteworthy new additions making their way onto customers this fall.
Apple starts with iCloud Storage APIs and the revamped Notifications Center. Both are flagship features inside iOS 5 - the former is Apple’s new, revolutionary Internet-based suite of services; the latter is pretty much all iOS needed to become the perfect mobile OS.
Apple continues mentioning Newsstand, a feature that lets publishers send the latest issue to a folder on the user’s home screen, Automatic Reference Counting, which transfers memory management over to the compiler, Twitter integration, Storyboards, AirPlay, Core Image, Game Center, and iMessage, the messaging service that works between all iOS 5 users over Wi-Fi and 3G.
Apple has confirmed that iOS 5 will be compatible with devices from iPhone 3GS and up, which means developers needn’t pack the latest hardware from Apple to test the new iOS.
Visit Apple here to download the goods.