The Apple Beat: A week away from WWDC 2014, let the games begin

Image from MacRumors.comBy Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla 

Apple's yearly World Wide Developer's Conference is taking place next week in in San Francisco. Over 5,000 developers and partners are expected to come to the Moscone West conference centre to learn more about Apple's plans and products for the coming year and you can believe that the rest of the world will be watching.

Mostly focused on upcoming software builds, namely the next version of iOS and its desktop counterpart OS X, Apple's used WWDC as a launching pad for notable hardware products, some of which are available for purchase right after the keynote and others are offered as a sneak peek, just like the redesigned Mac Pro was last year.

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Facebook opens mobile development program to all developers

Facebook just announced that its FbStart program is now open to all mobile developers and not just to f8 attendees. The program aims to help developers by giving access to free tools and services worth up to US$30,000. Mobile developers with apps that have been live for at least a month can apply to be part of FbStart. They also do not need to be integrated with Facebook to participate. Those chosen will get credits for Facebook and Parse and free tools and credits from partners such as Adobe, Desk.com, HootSuite, MailChimp, SurveyMonkey, etc.

Those who apply can choose between two tracks: Bootstrap and Accelerate. Bootstrap is for developers starting out and Accelerate is for those trying to grow and scale an app that already has initial traction. Facebook said they also plan to offer programs, events, and best practices for the participants and their will continually engage with the developers. For more information about the program, you can read about it here.

Toronto-based developers Sago Sago create iPad apps that are safe, positive and fun

My kid has been enjoying various apps from Toronto-based  Sago Sago,  a Toronto based developer with a small team of talented designers and developers that create apps that children love and parents trust. The games include elements of logic, pattern recognition, music and various easter eggs that are a delight to anyone who plays or watches the games unfold.

Building clever applications and games rooted on kids' natural sense of wonder, creativity and curiosity yet focusing on creating experiences that are safe, positive and fun. The company just they launched their newest app Saga Mini Monsters.

Their apps, including Sago Mini Forest Flyer, Sago Mini Doodlecast, Sago Mini Sound Box, Sago Mini Bug Builder, Sago Mini Pet Cafe  have topped charts around the world.

Apple's WWDC 2014 kicks off on June 2, devs can apply for tickets starting today

Apple will hold its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) June 2 through June 6 at San Francisco’s Moscone West. Interested Mac and iOS developers can apply for tickets via the WWDC website (developer.apple.com/wwdc) now through Monday, April 7 at 10:00 a.m. PDT, and tickets will be issued to attendees through random selection.

At this year’s five-day conference, developers from around the world will learn about the future of iOS and OS X, giving them the latest tools and technologies to continue creating the most innovative apps for the millions of iOS and Mac customers worldwide. WWDC will feature more than 100 technical sessions, over 1,000 Apple engineers, hands-on labs to help developers integrate new technologies and fine tune their apps, as well as the Apple Design Awards which showcase the best apps from the past year.

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