14 DAY TRIAL // Apple’s Xcode now includes SDKs for OS X 10.7 Lion and iOS 5.1, as well as a new code signing workflow that supports OS X apps with Developer ID (think Gatekeeper) to name just one of the new enhancements in version 4.3.1.
Xcode 4 includes the Xcode IDE, Instruments, iOS Simulator, the latest Mac OS X and iOS SDKs, and hundreds of powerful features, all leveraged by OS X Lion.
Starting with version 4.3, Apple’s Mac and iOS development toolset is provided as a standalone application in the Mac App Store.
According to Apple’s official change log, “Xcode is now distributed as an application, rather than as an installer. This change enables Xcode to be updated directly from the Mac App Store.”
The change is listed in the release notes for Xcode 4.3.1, a newer version of the developer toolset released in the Mac App Store in tandem with all the recent updates targeting the new iPad’s Retina display.
The Cupertino giant doesn’t mention any exclusive support for the 2048x1539 resolution in the iOS SDK. However, the release notes do mention new SDKs for Mac OS X 10.7 Lion and iOS 5.1, the shipping version of Apple’s mobile operating system on third-generation iPads.
The rest of the enhancements included in the new Xcode build are:
• New code signing workflow supports signing OS X apps with Developer ID • Adds installation of command-line tools to the Downloads preference pane • Open Developer Tool menu launches Instruments, File Merge, and other tools • ARC migration tool converts both retain/release and garbage collected code • Additional bug fixes and stability improvements.
In order to test or deploy applications on an iOS device using Xcode, users must enlist as members of Apple's iOS Developer Program. To submit Mac apps, developers must register with the Mac Developer Program. Xcode 4.3.1 requires OS X 10.7.3 (Lion) or later.