Apple requiring iPhone 5-compatible screenshots for app updates
With the iPhone 5 launching in nine countries on Friday, Apple has sent a note to developers, requiring the app makers supply screenshots compatible with the new smartphone's taller 4-inch display when submitting software updates.
The iTunes Connect notice, obtained by RazorianFly (via Cult of Mac), breaks down the new image size requirements, warning that non-compliance will result in an app being held for review until the proper screenshots are provided.
Apple's new app screenshot requirements:
Source: RazorianFly
A number of third-party developers have already submitted updates to bring their apps up to iOS 6, and subsequently iPhone 5, standards, including a handful tailored to take advantage of Apple's Passbook app.
The iTunes Connect notice, obtained by RazorianFly (via Cult of Mac), breaks down the new image size requirements, warning that non-compliance will result in an app being held for review until the proper screenshots are provided.
Apple's new app screenshot requirements:
- 640 pixels by 1136 pixels (portrait)
- 640 pixels by 1096 pixels (portrait)
- 1136 pixels by 640 pixels (landscape)
- 1136 pixels by 600 pixels (landscape)
Source: RazorianFly
A number of third-party developers have already submitted updates to bring their apps up to iOS 6, and subsequently iPhone 5, standards, including a handful tailored to take advantage of Apple's Passbook app.
Comments
Can third-party apps change the color of the… what's it called, Status Bar? If so, why would they want to accept screenshots that cut that out? And if not, why do it at all if the purpose was to make the UI blend?
I noticed that I can't see the full screenshot anymore on my 4S (need to scroll to see the whole thing) in the new app store app details - a bit annoying.
Screenshots are displayed in the app store. You can include the status bar if that is the way your screen looks (If it's a game or graphic app it will hide the status bar). Screenshots are also displayed when an app is loading. In order to use the full resolution of the iPhone 5 you HAVE to supply the larger png (that is actually how you tell the OS you are supporting that screen size). Neither of these have to be real screenshots by the way. If you read the email it says that you only need to supply the larger screenshot if you are supporting the larger screen - which is pretty obvious, but some developers may not have done so as they are transitioning. There is really nothing going on here.
Sorry duplicate.
With iOS 6, the prior solid status bar is now an adaptive color status bar (which is seen in the phone, messages, and other apps). It adopts the very bottom color of the navigation bar (which has to be set using Cocoa Touch elements).
There are a couple of reasons why the adaptive status bar wouldn't be used, both design reasons and program limitations. For example, to be able to use the adaptive bar, the app needs to use the Cocoa Touch UINavigationBar and some apps go about other ways to achieve a similar design without using Apple's native frameworks (like embedding web elements as an app). Then others just prefer the black bar, it allows them to "contain" their apps within the window (e.g., Safari, Notes, or the new Maps app).
In the App Store, I don't think many people notice or care since its a utility to the phone and skinning it is just an adaptive styling outside of function.