Mastering iOS Frameworks Beyond the Basics

Apple’s iOS SDK provides an amazingly powerful collection of frameworks. But it has been difficult to find detailed and useful knowledge about them–until now. With this book’s practical insights and tested code, you can use Apple’s frameworks to create apps that are more innovative and usable…faster and more reliable…more successful and profitable.

Kyle Richter and Joe Keeley focus on intermediate-to-advanced techniques that professional iOS developers can use every day. Their far-reaching coverage ranges from social support to security, Core Data to iCloud–even Apple Watch.

Organized as a convenient modular reference, nearly every chapter contains a complete Objective-C sample project. A multi-chapter Game Center case study shows how multiple iOS features can be combined to do even more.

All source code may be downloaded at https://github.com/dfsw/icf.

Coverage includes:

• Adding physics-like animation and behaviors to UIViews
• Using Core Location to determine device location, display customized maps, and implement geofencing
• Making games and apps social with Leaderboards
• Accessing music and image collections
• Building health/fitness apps with HealthKit
• Integrating with home automation via HomeKit
• Passing data between platforms using JSON
• Setting up local and remote notifications
• Remotely storing and syncing data with CloudKit
• Accessing app functionality with extensions
• Effortlessly adding AirPrint support
• Providing Handoff continuity between iOS 8 and Yosemite devices
• Getting productive with Core Data
• Integrating Twitter and Facebook via Social Framework
• Performing resource-intensive tasks with Grand Central Dispatch
• Securing user data with Keychain and Touch ID
• Customizing collection views
• Making the most of gesture recognizers
• Creating and distributing “passes”
• Debugging, instrumenting, and profiling apps

Kyle Richter started writing code in the early 90's on the Commodore 64, and soon after progressed to a Mac SE. Since then he has been dedicated to working exclusively with Apple products. In 2004 Kyle Richter founded Dragon Forged Software to release a new shareware title. Since that time Dragon Forged has grown into a much larger entity which now provides custom software and training. Dragon Forged was behind the release of the first iOS trivia game, as well as the first game to support true non-local multiplayer. He also worked on other popular iOS titles such as Handshake and Transactions. Kyle has devoted the last couple of years to managing Dragon Forged Software and writing custom software for corporations and startups. He is also a frequent speaker on software development and entrepreneurship at technology conferences and other events across the globe. Kyle is an outspoken supporter of the indie development community and spends a considerable amount of time moderating and contributing to various software development forums. In his spare time he enjoys traveling, nature, and sport shooting. He can be found on twitter @kylerichter.

Joe Keeley wrote his first computer program on a RadioShack TRS-80 and has been hooked ever since. He spent 16 years building and implementing software including ERP systems, warehouse systems, logistics systems, claims and call center management systems for clients like Apple, Ahold (Stop & Shop and Giant stores), AMD, Intelligent Electronics, and International Multifoods. After one too many status meetings and seeing how cool the iPhone was, Joe decided to work on iOS full time. He has built a number of apps for clients and enjoys sharing what he has learned by speaking at conferences. When he is not writing code Joe enjoys spending time with his family, and one of these days he will get back into competitive fencing. He can be reached on twitter @jwkeeley.

Preface
Chapter 1: StoreKit and In-App Purchasing

Chapter 2: UIKit Dynamics

Chapter 3: Core Location, MapKit, & Geofencing

Chapter 4: Game Center Leader Boards

Chapter 5: Game Center Achievements

Chapter 6: Working with Address Book

Chapter 7: Working with Music Libraries

Chapter 8: Implementing HealthKit

Chapter 9: Implementing HomeKit

Chapter 10: Working with and Parsing JSON

Chapter 11: Getting Started with iCloud

Chapter 12: Push and Local Notifications

Chapter 13: Cloud Persistence with CloudKit

Chapter 14: Extensions

Chapter 15: Handoffs

Chapter 16: Bluetooth Networking

Chapter 17: AirPrint

Chapter 18: Core Data Primer

Chapter 19: Getting Up and Running with Core Data

Chapter 20: Language Features

Chapter 21: Integrating Twitter and Facebook using Social Network

Chapter 22: Working with Background Tasks

Chapter 23: Grand Central Dispatch for Performance

Chapter 24: Using Keychain to Secure Data

Chapter 25: Working with Images and Filters

Chapter 26: Collection Views

Chapter 27: Introduction to TextKit

Chapter 28: Gesture Recognizers
Chapter 29: Accessing Photo Libraries
Chapter 30: Passbook and Passkit
Chapter 31: Debugging and Instruments