VoltBuilder now supports Xcode 12.4 and iOS 14.4
The VoltBuilder servers are now using Xcode 12.4, the latest update from Apple. This allows you to build apps for iOS 14.4, which was released yesterday by Apple.
You don’t need to make any changes to your project to use the new release: all VoltBuilder jobs are now processed using it.
Before we went live with the new release, we tested by processing an entire day of iOS builds. They executed cleanly, with the same results as Xcode 12.3. We don’t anticipate any problems for you with the new release, but please let is know if you spot anything.
The latest version of Xcode supported by PhoneGap Build is 9.2.
What’s New in Xcode 12.4
Xcode 12.4 includes SDKs for iOS 14.4, iPadOS 14.4, tvOS 14.3, watchOS 7.2, and macOS Big Sur 11.1. The Xcode 12.4 release supports on-device debugging for iOS 9 and later, tvOS 9 and later, and watchOS 2 and later. Xcode 12.4 requires a Mac with Apple silicon running macOS Big Sur 11 or later, or an Intel-based Mac running macOS Catalina 10.15.4 or later.
VoltBuilder provides a high level interface to Xcode, so you don’t have get involved with its installation, complexity and features. We run it on servers with all the latest Apple software, continuously updated.
New and improved features in XCode 12 include Universal apps (including Apple Silicon), templates, testing and UI changes. Most importantly, it has support for iOS 14. There is more information here.
What’s New in iOS 14.4
iOS 14.4 allows the camera to recognize smaller QR codes, and there’s a feature for specifying a device type for third-party Bluetooth-connected audio devices so that Headphone Audio Level measurements can be taken correctly. The update also provides notifications for when the camera on an iPhone is unable to be verified as a new, genuine Apple camera in the iPhone 12 models, which would be applicable only to repairs. There are also several bug fixes.
The builds you make with VoltBuilder will conform to Apple’s latest guidelines for security and App Store approval.
New and improved features in iOS 14 include App Clips, CarPlay, Car keys, Home screen, Widgets,App Library, Compact UI, Search and Siri. There more information on the features and supported devices in this article.
What VoltBuilder Does
VoltBuilder is a replacement for PhoneGap Build. It builds native executables (.apk and .ipa) for Android and iOS from web apps. These executables can be augmented with native code plugins which extend capabilities far beyond what is possible in Web Apps and PWAs.
It works as a web service. Zip your project, upload to VoltBuilder, and download executables for Android or iOS.
We were users of PhoneGap Build long before they became part of Adobe. One by one, the friends we made at Nitobi drifted away and PhoneGap itself withered. We realized we and our customers were going to have a big problem unless something was done.
In designing VoltBuilder, we had the advantage of starting with a clean slate. We were able to simplify and speed up the workflow. We also kept it framework neutral: VoltBuilder does not use any other AppStudio products, nor does it restrict the use of other frameworks. There is nothing to install.
About Us
We started in 1993 at the introduction of the Newton to fill the need for easier to use development tools. Our first product, NS Basic/Newton, was a success. When the Newton was cancelled, we introduced NS Basic/Palm. It also did well, so we added NS Basic/CE.
In 2010, we realized that JavaScript on mobile devices was getting fast. Web pages in those days used a bit of JavaScript to augment the page: Could we flip things around and make JavaScript the core of web pages, driving the HTML and CSS? That resulted in AppStudio, targeting iOS and Android. It now has thousands of users in over 80 countries. More than 2 million students have learned how to program using it.
The same core group of developers has been at work on AppStudio for many years. We enjoy what we’re doing - we’ve built a loyal base of customers by treating them fairly and providing great support.
How to Get Started
Visit https://volt.build for more information, to sign up and get started. You can use the Free plan for limited testing, or sign up for a trial of the Indy or Pro plans. The first 15 days are free: you can cancel at any time.
If you’re coming from PhoneGap, there is a PhoneGap Migration Guide. You can also use the tutorial.
There is also a one minute video, showing you how to submit your app and download the result.