Learn How to Create iOS Apps
In the final part of this tutorial series we will make some slight adjustments to the graph, and then provide the ability to record your weight in HealthKit.
You can either jump back to the beginning where we created a line graph with Paintcode, start on step 2, or begin here by downloading the project as we left it at the end of the last tutorial. [Read more…]
When iOS 10.3 was launched it provided developers with the ability to let users change the icon in the app. In this fairly short tutorial I’ll show you how it’s done.
To begin, create a new project in Xcode. An iOS/Single View is a good place to start. Make sure you select Swift as the language. The same function can also be created with Objective-C, but this tutorial focuses on the Swift way.
We now need add some keys to Info.plist for the app. In particular, add the following: [Read more…]
I have been a user of PaintCode since June 2012 when I downloaded version 1.1.1. PixelCut recently launched a new version, version 3, that brings Swift 3 compatibility to the mix amongst a few other features. The current version is priced at £99 which seems reasonable for the amount of time saved when creating resolution independent images for your app. Lets take a look and see what you can do with PaintCode.
The idea behind PaintCode is that you draw shapes in vector form, and then provide optional adjustments by using a simple expression language to add movement or changes to those shapes. Throw in some variables for colours, size, position etc… and then import that in to your app by way of a StyleKit and you have a real simple way of creating clean looking icons, charts, and other items to be used in your app. When the StyleKit is added to your Xcode project you can make calls to the class and use UIDraw to put your drawings on screen. The benefit is that you get resolution independent images that can look crystal clear at any size. This prevents the need to export @1x, @2x, or @3x and then regenerate if an @4x appears. Likewise, cutting down on the assets and putting them in code can be a great benefit for controlling the size of the app.
This tutorial demonstrates how you can make a line graph with PaintCode for your iOS app. This tutorial will form part of another tutorial which will demonstrate in more detail how to make the line graph usable within an app. [Read more…]
Touch ID will allow you to add a layer of privacy to your app that was previously unavailable.
By requiring the user to authenticate who they are with their fingerprint you can limit access to certain data, or the entire app.
Well make a simple demo that will present an initial view and after the user has “authenticated”, we will move to another view.
Start with a new project, single view application, Swift language, Universal target.
With the project open and the storyboard displayed, click on the view controller and from the EDITOR menu select EMBED IN and choose NAVIGATION CONTROLLER.
Working with Size Classes in Xcode 6
Making universal apps just became a lot easier with Apples introduction of size classes. Dont be confused by the name. Size Classes is a misnomer. Its confusing because there are no classes involved in the way weve been taught about classes.
You will not end up with a Swift class file for the iPad or iPhone. The tool Apple has introduced should be called Device Designer, Size Layout Tool, or something along the lines of Device Morphing Layout Design Tool.
The concept is that during app creation, we get a crude representation of the project into the Storyboard, not worrying about the exact spacing or sizing of objects. Once the general design of the app is complete, then we can begin sizing it for specific devices. [Read more…]
The 5S was the first iPhone that integrated a fingerprint sensor in to the home button. When configuration is complete, it allows quick access to the iPhone by checking if your fingerprint matches one that is stored. If there’s a match, you get in and if not, it denies access.
When Touch ID was introduced in iOS 7 on the iPhone 5S, it was only available for Apple apps. When iOS 8 launched, they allowed 3rd party developers to also access this feature. In todays tutorial, we’ll take a look at how to integrate touch ID in to your iPhone app. Note that since the new iPad air and new iPad mini now include a touch ID sensor, this tutorial is also compatible with those devices although I will be testing with an iPhone 6.
This tutorial requires that you have an iPhone 5S or newer or the latest iPad air or latest iPad mini (basically any iOS device with a touch ID sensor). You also need to be running iOS 8 or newer and also be using Xcode 6. Because we will be testing on an actual device rather than a simulator, you will also need to be enrolled in the iOS developer program and have paid the $99 yearly fee.
First, load up Xcode 6 and go to create a new project. To save some steps setting up a default view, select the Single View Application (in the iOS section) and click Next. Give the project a name such as Touch ID and fill in the Organisation name, Organisation Identifier and set the other options as below. Note that the general way we select an organization identifier is by spelling out a name in reverse. In the case of our app development business which is mobient.co.uk, we reverse that by putting uk.co.mobient. In the Bundle Identifier line below, the Touch-ID (project name with hyphen automatically added) gets appended to the end.
Apple has gone the extra mile to make sure the user is explicitly granting your app permission to use the iPhone location services. There are just a few simple steps to go through to get your app setup correctly.
First, add two keys to your info-plist. These are case sensitive and do not appear as a standard entry that you can select. Add both keys so you later have the option of calling either one. Make sure everything is spelled correctly and has the correct “camel case”, otherwise the request for authorization will be ignored.
NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription
NSLocationAlwaysUsageDescription
Your app is available around the world, but you’ve only made your app in the English language? You want to offer your app in the native language of ever user… but how?
Apple has 150 App Stores around the world with hundreds of millions of users. If your goal is to get as many downloads as possible, then make it available in every supported language (there are 40!!!). Maximize your apps potential via localization!
Localization is the ability of your app to display text, images, sounds, and numeric formats(dates and numbers), in the users device language. Localization should be standard practice in all apps, but prior to Xcode 6 it was quite a bit of work.
Apple has gone out of their way to simplify this process and after reading this demo I think you’ll be amazed. Xcode 6 makes localization a “pas sorcier”, or “no brainer”. [Read more…]
UIAlert and UIActionSheet have been replaced by UIActionViewController which now handles both.
To demonstrate both in one example I’ll make a short little tutorial showing how to fire an AlertView and also how to bring up an ActionSheet with options.
Start with a new project, single view application, Click NEXT. Select (language)Swift, (device)iPhone, and Save wherever you wish.
This will build off social sharing using UIActivityViewController. If you have not viewed that tutorial you can jump to it here. Or download the project file from where the last tutorial ended. ShareDemo.
– Add the Social Framework to the project
– Import the framework into the header file
– Add buttons for the social types we want to post to.
– Create a method to invoke sharing to the specified service type. [Read more…]
