Among the many announcements made today at WWDC, one was particularly noteworthy. The Cupertino company has said their Mac products will soon be transitioning from Intel to Apple Silicon. In an effort to help developers prep for this transition, Apple has launched a Universal App Quick Start Program, which “includes all the tools, resources, and support you need to build, test, and optimize your next-generation Universal apps for macOS Big Sur.”
This program will be subjected to limited availability and will give priority to developers with an existing macOS applications. The program costs $500 and includes access to beta software, developer labs, private discussion forums, technical support, and other resources.
In addition to the resource support, applicants will also receive exclusive access to a Developer Transition Kit (DTK), which resembles a Mac mini. Inside though, you’ll find Apple’s A12Z Bionic chip from the latest iPad Pro. The DTK will also include 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, two 10 Gbps USB-C ports, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and an HDMI 2.0 port. The device will also include 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0. This DTK device carries the Apple model number of A2330, the same number that was reportedly filed earlier in the month.
It should be noted that the DTK is not for keeps. The device remains property of Apple and must be returned when the program ends. Participants must also agree to a number of restrictions prohibiting them from tearing the machine down, using it for work other than app development, or renting/leasing it out.
Developers in eligible countries can begin applying for the program today.