The first big reveal from WWDC involves the upcoming release of the new iOS 10, a huge upgrade for mobile developers, and macOS Sierra for desktops. These pair of previews include information how Apple, Inc.’s flagship AI assistant, Siri, is being opened up to developers on these platforms. Just like how Google I/O revealed a new upcoming Android mobile operating system and strong AI integration with messaging for developers, Apple is following this same trend.

iOS 10 will prove to be an exciting new venture for developers and getting started early is easy with the preview. Developers can sign up for the iOS 10 and macOS Sierra program and check out the iOS 10 SDK and apps.

iOS 10 preview and beta program, SiriKit and more

iOS 10 apps and new advancements surround a series of SDKs that extend already existing functionality with new integrations such as Siri + Apps, which integrates Apple’s AI assistant with SiriKit enabling natural language voice speech queries for messaging, photo search, phone calls, ride booking, and person-to-person payments–iMessage + Apps SDK, which integrates iMessage with any app allowing users to interact with App Store apps without leaving Message—Maps + Apps, which is all about extending any app to use mapping capabilities (search for “maps” across the documentation here)—and CallKit or iPhone + Apps, which will provide support for VOIP within apps using the CallKit framework (search CallKit on the iOS 10 documentation details page) by integrating the iPhone UI to view and answer incoming VOIP calls (and enable call blocking, caller identification, phone number association and more).

Additional features included in iOS available to developers include using Siri intelligence to enable contextual predictions to surface relevant information based on location, calendar availability or contacts—the same technology will give iOS a smarter predictive typing algorithm across multiple languages.

The opening of SiriKit for developers means that the AI assistant’s capabilities can be leveraged more thoroughly across the entire mobile experience. In particular, Siri’s integration means that apps can more easily use voice controls—allowing users a more natural experience when activating, controlling and customizing apps. Siri’s intelligence functions, also mentioned above, means that any app can be made smarter based on Siri’s contextual suggestions.

This move by Apple is a distinct part of a new generation of application development that focuses on contextual “smart” app design heralded by at Google I/O 2016 earlier this year with the integration of Google’s AI with messaging and mobile experience. During 2016 more AI-as-a-service middleware will be integrated into apps for the purpose of better voice controls and natural language queries as apps become easier to interact with.

Telling a phone, out loud, what you want (“Siri, set me a timer for 15 minutes.”) is by far a better user experience than tapping on a screen with flour-covered fingers in order to get a timer running. It’s also a better experience to be able to ask a movie app (“Hey Harkins app, when is the next showing of Batman vs. Superman? Book me a ticket for that time.”) The possibilities for integration are endless and greatly expand the usefulness of mobile applications.

Teaching the next generation of programmers with Swift Playgrounds

For some programmers, coding can be an emotional experience—or, at least to say the creation and use of that creation. Apple’s production and distribution of Swift Playgrounds, an iPad app aimed at teaching people to code in Apple’s new Swift language seeks to tap into this emotional response and train the next generation of coders how to make Apple apps.

Swift Playgrounds will be free in the App Store this fall and will bring new horizons to people, young and old alike, by teaching them how to code in an easy and fun manner. The app requires no coding knowledge and is a first-of-its-kind learning experience designed to take full advantage of the iPad, with enough game to attract beginners, but enough depth to keep advanced coders.

The first set of lessons in Swift Playgrounds is designed to allow new coders “play their way” through the basics with the “Fundamentals of Swift.” App players will use the same coding practices that professionals use day-to-day to solve challenges and puzzles with outcomes that are displayed as movements across a 3D game board, allowing new and aspiring devs to see both code (in functional form) and develop core concepts.

“Learning to code is about so much more than learning a programming language,” says Jessica Mitsch, Executive Director of Code School at The Iron Yard. “It teaches kids foundational skills like how to think analytically and how to be creative problem-solvers that will serve them well throughout their lives. The way we like to describe this at The Iron Yard is ‘learning how to learn,’ which is the foundation of becoming a good developer.”

Swift Playgrounds in action. Image courtesy of Apple, Inc.

By developing and presenting a gamified training app that teaches Swift, Apple is reaching out to the next generation of coders in a way that will not only provide the fundamental tools for understanding app creation, but popularize Swift. As an app programming language, Swift is already extremely popular and Apple officially released it open source in 2015.

“Using programs like Swift Playgrounds will help instill this mindset at a young age whether kids decide to pursue coding recreationally or as a career,” says Mitsch.

Right now, Swift is rated as number 17 (of hundreds of languages) in RedMonk’s January 2016 rankings. As a two-year-old language, Swift has risen the ranks quickly and sits alongside Objective-C as an easier-to-use Apple app programming language.

Mitsch adds, “As technology becomes integrated into all aspects of our personal lives and businesses, having a basic understanding of software and coding will be beneficial for kids throughout their education and then into their careers.”

The idea of teaching kids to program using gamification may not be a new one, but Swift Playgrounds provides a powerful (and free) tool for Apple to expand its reach and recognition with the next generation of coders. As more and more configurable devices enter peoples lives from smartphones, smart watches, smart TV, smart homes, and so on, it will become ever-more important that consumers understand code—even if some of them don’t become professional developers themselves.

Read more at Apple’s Swift Playgrounds website for further information about this release.

Apple Developer Program: Access to the betas for iOS 10, macOS Sierra, watchOS and more

Any developer interested in previewing or getting the beta tools and SDKs for everything announced at WWDC 2016 will first need to be part of the Apple Developer Program.

To get an idea of what’s included be sure to check out the primary information page but those eager to get going right now can look into how to get started (or simply skip to enrollment). For individuals it’s a total cost of $99 USD per year of membership and it provides not just the already-free development tools but more advanced capabilities for distributing apps on the Apple App Store—and, of course, access to beta and preview software.

For enterprise users there is also the Apple Developer Enterprise Program, starting at $299 USD per year, which provides extensive support, tools, access to distribution on the Apple App Store and access to testing and support.

Featured image credit: Apple, Inc.