Apple has announced new 1-on-1 developer labs for folks working on developing or upgrading their iPhone, iPad or macOS apps for upcoming Apple silicon Macs. The invites are only available for developers who were leased a Developer Transition Kit from Apple, as part of the Universal App Quick Start Program.
1-on-1 developers labs for Apple silicon Mac apps
Developers with the DTK can request a 1-on-1 session with an Apple engineer until November 1 at 5:00 p.m. PST. To do so, developers have to login with their Apple ID, fill in the form and submit it. Only members of the Universal App Quick Start Program will be able to access the form. If the developer has submitted any feedback, Apple requests that the Feedback Assistant ID also be submitted in the form. As the appointment will only last for 30 minutes, relevant information will help with the developer lab.
Apple also notes that developers can also ask questions in Apple Developer Forums, by using the Universal App Quick Start Program tag, to get help.
Once developers get an invite, they will get 30 minutes with an Apple engineer via a Webex audio call. Screen sharing can also be part of the call if required. As per Apple’s tradition of secrecy, no video recording is allowed during the developer lab.
Apart from these 1-on-1 developer labs, Apple also provides other resources for members of the Universal App Quick Start Program which include access to beta software and development SDKs, access to private forums to connect with Apple engineers and other members of the program, receive code-level technical support from engineers, and watch various videos and access documentation regarding the new APIs for Universal apps.
Apple is expected to announce its first ARM-based Mac in November, which will likely be a MacBook. Expectations are high from the announcement as it will put Apple in direct competition against the likes of Intel and AMD as it will be making its own processors. Whether Apple’s processors will beat Intel’s offerings in real-world usage is yet to be seen. If iPad and iPhone processing performance is an indication, we expect Apple silicon to put up tough fight.
