iOS developers TwoLivesLeft have just released an interesting new app called Codify, which brings touch based programming to the iPad.
The app allows users to create their own programs using the Lua programming language by typing code directly on your iPad. Also included are various assets and programming examples to be used in your creations:
Apps such as Codify are now possible since Apple relaxed their App Store rules that originally prohibited interpreted code in iOS apps. Apple now does allow for interpreted code to be run in-app, but still prohibits the download of such code. As noted by TouchArcade, this means that anything you create in Codify can't be exported (or imported).
I've heard more than a few developers attempting to create similar tools for the iPad, but all of them have hit various roadblocks in the Apple approval process because they all (in one way or another) allowed you to get code and assets onto the device and execute it. Codify sidesteps this by coming with a wide variety of assets, but unfortunately all of your creations will be trapped on your own device.
The developer has already submitted an update that allows sharing, but the developer isn't certain if Apple will allow it.
Due to the limited nature of the environment, the tool is mostly useful for experimentation and prototyping, as you won't be able to send your creations to anyone else. Still, it's an interesting idea and pushes the iPad into more content creation areas.
Friday February 14, 2025 6:18 am PST by Joe Rossignol
The first iOS 18.4 beta for iPhones should be just around the corner, and the update is expected to include many new features and changes.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman expects the iOS 18.4 beta to be released by next week.
Below, we outline what to expect from iOS 18.4 so far.
Apple Intelligence for Siri
Siri is expected to get several enhancements powered by Apple Intelligence on iOS...
Apple is set to "significantly change" the iPhone's design language later this year, according to a Weibo leaker.
In a new post, the user known "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone's design is "starting to change significantly" this year. The "iPhone 17 Air" reportedly features a "horizontal, bar-shaped" design on the rear, likely referring to an elongated camera bump. On the other...
Sunday February 16, 2025 7:22 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple is "exploring" the idea of showing search ads in the Apple Maps app, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Back in 2022, Gurman said software engineering was "already underway" to display ads in the Apple Maps app, but Apple did not move forward with the idea at the time. Today, he said Apple is "giving this notion more thought" again.
This time around, he said Apple has yet to...
Thursday February 13, 2025 11:48 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple has yet to announce any new devices this year, but that could change starting next week.
Apple CEO Tim Cook today said to "get ready" for a "launch" on Wednesday, February 19.
"Get ready to meet the newest member of the family," said Cook, in a social media post. The post includes an #AppleLaunch hashtag, along with a short video featuring an animated Apple logo inside of a circle....
Saturday February 15, 2025 9:58 am PST by Joe Rossignol
A few days ago, we reported that Apple's refurbished Mac mini pricing had a problem, and it appears that Apple has taken note.
Apple was offering a refurbished Mac mini with the M2 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage for $559, which was $50 more than a refurbished Mac mini with the M4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. All other key specifications were equal.
That's no longer...
Thursday February 13, 2025 5:49 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro will feature three rear cameras arranged in a familiar triangular layout, but the cameras will be housed in an all-new rectangular camera bar with rounded corners, according to YouTube channel Front Page Tech.
iPhone 17 Pro camera design render created by Asher for Front Page Tech
In a video uploaded today, Front Page Tech host Jon Prosser said the camera ...
Apple appears to have enough upcoming product announcements to justify a full event this month, yet all signs indicate these reveals will be handled through a series of press releases instead.
There are a multitude of rumors from reliable sources about specific announcements in the coming weeks, so here's everything that Apple could have feasibly included in a hypothetical February event:
...
Friday February 14, 2025 4:04 pm PST by Juli Clover
Apple CEO Tim Cook teased an Apple announcement that's coming on Wednesday, February 19, and it's looking like that mystery announcement will be the next-generation iPhone SE.
We've been hearing about the iPhone SE 4 for quite some time now, and we essentially know everything to expect. If you want a sneak peek at what's coming, read on.
Naming
Apple first introduced the iPhone SE in...
Since you can't get your creations off the device I guess this'll be great for casual programming, but the actual stuff will still be done on computers :cool:
IMO, Apple's standard for the app store is pretty darn sensible: they require that all of the code be submitted with the app, and that code can't be changed at runtime.
I don't quite know what "artificial" would mean in this context. Their standards are in place to minimize the odds that a virus could corrupt a program or the entire iOS device. Limiting apps to the code submitted by the dev sounds like a good common-sense standard.
The Apple II maxed out at 48KB. Making anything run there required all sorts of Woznikian hacks.
We no longer need to have our computers run in such a promiscuous mode; it is a step forward.
Taking away the ability to program a computer is NOT a step forward. The iPad represents about 2/3rds of the vision Alan Kay had for the future of computers back when he did his groundbreaking work at Xerox Parc. Making programming pervasively accessible is the other 1/3rd, and done right, it may be the most powerful part.
I bought a copy of Codify as a show of support that Apple should allow apps that let people program on the iPad.
Quick answer: not awesome at all. Unless you mean touching a real keyboard, with real tactile input for fast typing, and fewer errors.
I realize that that a BT keyboard can be used, but until I can attach a few 30" monitors and ergo mice to my iPad, it is still a far cry from useful for programming.
I'd hate to see you about 15-20 years ago when we were still programming from a shell with no autocomplete, popup menus to choose functions, no mouse support let alone touch all on a 14" CRT.
