{"id":3157,"date":"2020-06-16T13:10:34","date_gmt":"2020-06-16T13:10:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.siddhiinfosoft.com\/blog\/?p=3157"},"modified":"2025-06-25T07:27:06","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T07:27:06","slug":"apple-released-ios-13-5-with-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.siddhiinfosoft.com\/blog\/apple-released-ios-13-5-with-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Apple released iOS 13.5 with COVID-19 Exposure Alert system"},"content":{"rendered":"

Throughout the world, health authorities and governments<\/strong> have started working together to get out of the crisis created by the COVID-19 epidemic<\/strong>. They aim to restore society at any cost<\/strong>. Simultaneously, software developers<\/strong> are innovating new tools that may help save lives<\/strong> and combat deadly viruses<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

In this context, Apple<\/strong> collaborated with Google<\/strong> to work on a platform that creates an API capable of tracking COVID-19 infections<\/strong>. The global community, aiming to combat viral threats, finds hope in this approach. Most of us would think of having an Apple mobile with iOS 13.5<\/strong>. As an entrepreneur, you can grab the best opportunity with iOS app development<\/a><\/span> to serve your users better.<\/span><\/p>\n

With a host of updates, the publicly released iOS 13.5<\/strong> version from Apple brought a ray of hope to the COVID-19-affected world<\/strong>. Previously, it was available only to developers. Now, all Apple users can access it. While some may grunt at the frequent need to update their mobile, here are some compelling reasons why updating your mobile OS<\/strong> is now more essential than ever.<\/span><\/p>\n

Contract-tracing App Development \u2013 Save Yourself from the Virus<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

With iOS 13.5, Apple introduced an Exposure Notification API<\/strong>, designed to support contact tracing apps<\/strong> developed by government-backed health authorities<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

As COVID-19 spreads primarily through close contact<\/strong>, public health specialists emphasize the importance of contact tracing<\/strong> to curb transmission. Leading universities<\/strong>, NGOs<\/strong>, and government institutions<\/strong> are now embracing this technology.<\/span><\/p>\n

To amplify the effort, Google and Apple\u2019s joint solution<\/a><\/span> includes APIs enabling a secure contact-tracing system. Both tech giants prioritize user privacy and data security<\/strong>, making the system widely acceptable.<\/span><\/p>\n

With Android<\/strong> included in the effort, the benefits extend to a broader user base<\/strong>. The system notifies you of potential exposure to infected individuals without collecting personal data<\/strong>, location<\/strong>, or identity<\/strong>. Government health bodies are now investing in cross-platform mobile app development<\/a><\/span> for both Android and iOS to notify the public effectively.<\/span><\/p>\n

Exposure Notification \u2013 New App Development with This API<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

An Operating System (OS)<\/strong> performs essential functions, and APIs<\/strong> allow app developers to access these functions. For example, location-based apps<\/strong> use a location API<\/strong> to fetch GPS data, without needing to write extensive code.<\/span><\/p>\n

Similarly, engineers at Google and Apple<\/strong> created a specialized set of functions (API) for app developers to send notifications<\/strong> when users are close to COVID-positive individuals<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Currently, not all developers can use this API. Only government health agencies<\/strong> are granted access, with strict policies in place. In the USA, states like North Dakota, Alabama, and South Carolina<\/strong> initially gained access. Over time, the global rollout<\/strong> has enabled other nations to leverage this standardized API<\/strong> for health tracking.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Apple<\/p>\n

Apple Released iOS 13.5 with COVID-19 Exposure Alert System<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Brief Overview of API Functionality<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

Apple devices use a random Bluetooth identifier<\/strong>, composed of numbers and letters unique to every device. These identifiers:<\/span><\/p>\n