swift.pngIBM has announced that it is bringing Apple's Swift development language to the cloud to simplify end-to-end development of enterprise apps. Swift will be available as a server-side language on IBM Cloud, and today's phase of the rollout includes a preview of a Swift runtime and a Swift Package Catalog.

Developers can start exploring the benefits of Swift on the IBM Cloud in three ways:

- Experiment in the Swift Sandbox: Quickly experiment with open sourced Swift, ramp up your skill set and learn what Swift can do for your enterprise by checking out new enhancements to the Swift Sandbox.
- Develop and Deploy: Start building end-to-end applications on Bluemix and quickly deploy them with Kitura, a new open source web server released by IBM, on both OSX and Linux.
- Share Swift Resources: Leverage code across projects by creating packages and submitting them to the Swift Package Catalog on Bluemix to encourage sharing of new Swift resources with the global developer community.

Apple and IBM announced an enterprise partnership in July 2014, released the first ten MobileFirst for iOS apps by year end and have launched new apps periodically since. MobileFirst for iOS apps are designed in a secure environment, and can easily be deployed, managed and upgraded through IBM cloud services.

Apple and IBM list all of the MobileFirst for iOS apps on their websites.

Tags: IBM, Swift

Top Rated Comments

macduke Avatar
116 months ago
Lol I don't know why but this sounds exactly like something a big old corporation would do when they want to look cool but just don't get it. :)

I can see it now. Kinda chubby salt and pepper haired white guy in a suit at the press release: "we're not just going to use swift, we're going to use swift in the cloud!"
It might seem that way on the surface, but for those of us who design and develop for the web and iOS, this is really interesting. It's not so much about it being the "mystical cloud" but running important services that are vital to our apps using common code bases. As many iOS apps are developed first before their Android counterpart (iOS is better at monetizing, but the spread isn't as significant as it used to be) you end up with developers building their infrastructure on Swift which puts Apple in a more dominant position. It's a smart move but implementation and promotion of this (making it worth it to architect new back-ends with compelling benefits and a marketing team promoting adoption) is key. Apple has traditionally not done well with services in general, but this is kind of different. I hope it goes smoothly for them as it could be really useful and help streamline development.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jozero Avatar
116 months ago
Lol I don't know why but this sounds exactly like something a big old corporation would do when they want to look cool but just don't get it. :)

I can see it now. Kinda chubby salt and pepper haired white guy in a suit at the press release: "we're not just going to use swift, we're going to use swift in the cloud!"
Uh ? This is great news. Swift is just a language, it doesn't have to only used for native iOS or OSX apps.

If you got really good at swift it would let you write native apps, and then write any required backend in the same language. That really helps at being an expert at something.

Also having the cloud service backed by IBM, which also uses the same backend for their enterprise apps, lets you put your trust into it - less likely to have a situation like Parse.

This is all positive news.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
blackcrayon Avatar
116 months ago
The same can be said of Apple since Swift is obsolete from the start, nothing to write home about amidst the functional languages already in existent. Just Apple catching up, and then still it isn't...
Swift seems to be well-received and no one other than foamy-mouthed Apple haters seem to think it's "obsolete from the start". The fact that it's open source and coming to other platforms seems pretty exciting. Even if it were for Apple developers only it's a big step forward.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AdonisSMU Avatar
116 months ago
This is an interesting development.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GFLPraxis Avatar
116 months ago
Ah, if only Parse wasn't shutting down...I could see this being implemented there :(

This is really interesting. I'd kind of assumed that regardless of open source, Swift wouldn't have many use cases outside of iOS. Am quite happy to see that potentially not being true.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
frabber Avatar
116 months ago
I kii'd. I can totally see this. :D
The same can be said of Apple since Swift is obsolete from the start, nothing to write home about amidst the functional languages already in existent. Just Apple catching up, and then still it isn't...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dual Tone Feature 1

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 8 New Features

Thursday January 9, 2025 5:45 am PST by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. iPhone 17 Pro concept based on rumors Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of January 2025: More aluminum: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models ...
airpods pro 2 botw

Hearing a Mysterious Chime From Your AirPods Pro Case? It's a Feature

Thursday January 9, 2025 3:42 pm PST by
If you've been hearing a chiming sound from your AirPods Pro 2 case when the AirPods are charging, it's a feature that Apple added with the launch of Hearing Health last year. In a support guide, Apple says that the AirPods Pro may play a sound every so often while in the case to ensure the microphones and speakers are working as intended. From Apple: To help ensure that your AirPods...
iPhone 17 Pro Dual Tone Horizontal 1

iPhone 17 Pro Main Camera Sensor 'Smaller' Than iPhone 16 Pro Sensor

Friday January 10, 2025 3:14 am PST by
This year's iPhone 17 Pro models will feature a smaller main camera sensor than the one used in the Fusion camera currently found in iPhone 16 Pro models, according to Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station. The Chinese leaker claims that Apple will adopt a 1/1.3" sensor for the 48MP main camera in the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, down from the 1/1.28" sensor used in the iPhone 16...
se 4 for 2025

When to Expect the iPhone SE 4 or So-Called 'iPhone 16E' to Launch

Friday January 10, 2025 9:20 am PST by
Apple is widely rumored to be planning a new iPhone SE, and multiple sources lately have commented on the device's launch timing. The latest word comes from Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In a blog post today, he said the device will be released around the middle of the first half of 2025. In other words, around the quarter mark of 2025. That means the next iPhone SE will likely be ...
AppleEventLogoFeature

Apple Focusing on These Eight New Low-Cost Devices in 2025

Saturday January 11, 2025 1:00 am PST by
Apple's slate of 2025 products look to be dominated by a large number of low-cost and entry-level devices. Here's what to expect. With advancements like Apple Intelligence and all-new in-house chip designs, Apple is reportedly looking to enhance many of its budget-friendly offerings, ensuring they remain competitive in an increasingly crowded market. These updates also indicate a slight...
HomePod mini and Apple TV

HomePod Mini 2 and New Apple TV Launch Timeframe Narrowed Down

Sunday January 12, 2025 4:11 pm PST by
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently reported that Apple plans to release new HomePod mini and Apple TV models this year, and now he has provided a more precise timeframe. In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said Apple is currently aiming to launch the new HomePod mini and Apple TV models "toward the end of the year." That timeframe suggests the devices will be released at some point...
HomePod mini and Apple TV

New Apple TV and HomePod Mini Launching This Year With One Thing in Common

Wednesday January 8, 2025 6:18 am PST by
It was recently reported that new Apple TV and new HomePod mini models will launch this year, and the devices are expected to have one thing in common. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman last month reported that the new Apple TV and the new HomePod mini will be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip. Gurman said the chip supports Wi-Fi 6E, so that could end up being a key upgrade...
M6 MacBook Pro Feature 1

5 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's MacBook Pro

Wednesday January 8, 2025 6:33 am PST by
Apple in October 2024 overhauled its 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, adding M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips, Thunderbolt 5 ports on higher-end models, display changes, and more. That's quite a lot of updates in one go, but if you think this means a further major refresh for the MacBook Pro is now several years away, think again. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said he expects only a small...
apple intelligence black

Apple Intelligence Isn't Driving iPhone Upgrades

Friday January 10, 2025 2:17 pm PST by
Apple Intelligence hasn't convinced people to buy an iPhone 16, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said today. According to Kuo, a supply chain survey suggests Apple Intelligence is not pushing people to upgrade their devices. The delay between the Apple Intelligence introduction in June 2024 and a launch even after iPhone 16 models came out was a contributing factor, and Apple Intelligence "appeal...