At the recent Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple released a ton of new tools, APIs, and, in a surprising twist, a brand new programming language called Swift. It can easily be overwhelming trying to be a developer, or system administrator for Apple Mac and iOS devices. You can try to use Google, StackOverflow, and books, but there's nothing like face-to-face instruction and interaction with experts and colleagues.
For me, the most important conference to attend is the independent MacTech Conference in Los Angeles, the first week in November. Unlike Apple's show, MacTech is run by programmers, engineers, and other experts who are not on the Apple payroll. That means you get the full picture, warts and all.
There are certain topics, like programming with Swift, that could benefit from an independent perspective. Apple might want to push their new language, but does that mean I should drop everything and make the switch? I'm still not sold. MacTech will be a great way to meet other developers and get their opinions.
All work and no play makes for a boring conference, but don't worry; last year, we got up close and personal with the Space Shuttle Endeavor and engineers from NASA. We also had the chance to test drive a $100,000 Tesla Model S. This year promises to be truly magical, as attendees will be shuttled to Disney Animation Studios. Disneyland and Disney World may be the happiest places on earth, but Disney Animation Studios is where the magic happens!
You can expect to learn a lot, build relationships and networks, and have some great food and fun. Expect speakers from around the globe, one-of-a-kind activities including that very special visit to Disney Animation Studios as well as other surprises, and select from a ton of hands-on workshops. There are even opportunities for accreditations from Microsoft and Apple!
iPhone Life magazine is a media sponsor, so I'll be there. Please say hi when you see me! Remember to register soon to get the Early Bird Pricing, which expires at the end of this month, and saves you $400!
