iOS developers now know what they'll be doing over the upcoming holiday season: making sure their current and future apps are able to support 64-bit computing based on a strict commandment from Apple.
The company recently issued a deadline of February 2015 to update or create 64-bit iOS apps, which was probably to be expected following the release of the iOS 8 SDK.
Developers on Twitter seemed to take their orders in relatively good spirit, with some sharing the news as a gentle advisory...
Time to consider updating your apps to support 64-bit: http://t.co/muNaltkx0G
— Tim Ross (@timrossinfo) October 20, 2014
... and others suggesting Apple's velvet glove contains an iron fist.
The 64-bit hammer cometh: http://t.co/yESBWdL1MO All iOS app submissions will need to be 64-bit compliant by February.
— Derek Gour (@slippydev) October 21, 2014
Jokes soon followed that others in the app space will need to keep up with the standard Apple is setting:
Time for Facebook to go 64 bit :) http://t.co/AhX02YaLlg
— Peter Steinberger (@steipete) October 20, 2014
There were genuine questions, though, about how 64-bit iOS apps would work within the larger app ecosystem:
64-bit requirement from Apple? I wonder how this will affect @adobeAIR? http://t.co/qTAN3jwxed Anyone knows?
— jenschr (@jenschr) October 21, 2014
Overall, developers seemed to think Apple's decree was somewhat in keeping with its usual "tough love" approach to the app community.
http://t.co/7605TjV8Ms Remember, "Apple loves developers"
— Nils.Gensert (@SciInMedia) October 21, 2014