Apple releases visionOS SDK for crafting ‘all-new experiences’

Apple has released the visionOS SDK for developers eager to explore the possibilities of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) experiences for Vision Pro.

While betas and SDKs for other Apple operating systems like iOS and macOS were launched on the first day of WWDC, developers had to wait for the release of the visionOS SDK. This meant that they could prepare their software for the upcoming fall releases but couldn't immediately start building for the new...

22 June 2023 | Development Tools

A quarter of tech firms use generative AI for software development

Almost one-in-four US technology firms use generative AI tools to boost software development, with significant growth in adoption across major business functions predicted over the next year.

This is according to a new survey of senior technology executives by global strategy consulting firm Altman Solon.

Altman Solon surveyed 292 senior technology executives and interviewed a panel of industry experts to better understand opportunities for generative AI in businesses....

16 May 2023 | Developer

ChatGPT-generated code is often insecure

OpenAI's large language model, ChatGPT, is capable of generating code but produces insecure code without alerting users to its inadequacies, according to research by computer scientists from the Université du Québec in Canada.

The researchers asked ChatGPT to generate 21 programs in five programming languages to illustrate specific security vulnerabilities such as memory corruption, denial of service, and improperly implemented cryptography.

ChatGPT produced only five...

21 April 2023 | Development Tools

TypeScript 5: A look at the major changes

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the major changes in TypeScript 5.

TypeScript 5 was released earlier this month. The latest version features numerous improvements to make the language smaller, simpler, and faster.

Here are the biggest changes in the latest release:

Variadic tuple types

Variadic tuple types allow developers to define tuple types with a variable number of elements. 

In previous versions of TypeScript, the number...

27 March 2023 | Languages

Intel unveils Quantum Software Development Kit Version 1.0

After launching its beta version in September 2022, Intel has released version 1.0 of the Intel Quantum Software Development Kit (SDK).

The SDK is a full quantum computer in simulation that can also interface with Intel’s quantum hardware, including Intel’s Horse Ridge II control chip and Intel’s quantum spin qubit chip when it becomes available this year. The kit allows developers to program quantum algorithms in simulation, and it features an intuitive programming...

2 March 2023 | Developer

App Bundles will help trim Google TV apps

While it’s that time of year when most of us will put on some weight, Google is putting apps for its TV platforms on a diet.

Google has announced that apps for Google TV and Android TV will require the use of Android App Bundles (AABs) by May 2023.

App Bundles were introduced to Android in November 2020 to replace Android Package Kits (APKs).

According to Google, AABs offer the following benefits:

Smaller size – AABs are around 20 percent smaller...

22 November 2022 | Android

GitHub Copilot will enable developers to code using their voice

A new GitHub Copilot feature will enable developers to code using their voice.

Copilot was introduced last year and uses AI to help speed up mundane coding tasks by suggesting how to complete lines.

Behind the Copilot feature is an AI model developed by OpenAI called Codex. OpenAI claims that Codex has a broad knowledge of how people use code and is “significantly more capable than GPT-3” in generating code.

Microsoft-owned GitHub announced at its annual...

10 November 2022 | Development Tools

Security leaders believe companies should face consequences for releasing insecure software

Someone sitting at a computer screen.

Organisations plan to invest in DevSecOps in 2023, and the level of urgency for them to do so has grown.

In a recent survey conducted by the Neustar International Security Council (NISC), 93% of participating information technology and security professionals reported that DevSecOps would be a significant budgeting priority in the coming year, with 55% emphasising it would be a very significant priority with their organisation.

Additionally, 86% of respondents agree that...

2 November 2022 | Developer

The importance of being accessibility-first for effective UX design

Web design has seen a huge evolution in recent years, with accessibility and inclusion front of mind in the offline world impacting a more human side of software development. This means rethinking the approach to design, ensuring that the steps within processes address accessibility issues. Yet some tech companies are stuck in a previous era, before inbuilt product accessibility and their websites remain inaccessible to all users, particularly those with disabilities.

According to...

26 September 2022 | UX/Design

Better app security cannot start with tools

There is a common trope in science fiction movies where robots start to think for themselves and launch a war with humans for control of Earth.

These storylines come from a familiar place. We continue to see robots, machines, and technological tools replace many traditional jobs requiring a human touch. Many industries, such as manufacturing, rely heavily on these devices, with automation a growing threat to the workforce.

Technological tools remain critical to software...

20 September 2022 | Development Tools