Apple: New apps 'must be optimized for iOS 7

Apple is taking a sterner approach in trying to move app developers into the world of iOS 7.Related postsThe continuing evolution of iOSThe killer iOS 7 feature the iPad needs: Touch-pad supportRumor has it that Apple's iOS 7 development is delayedThe iPhone 5S rumor roundupSiri behaves slightly better in iOS 6, says analystThe company on Tuesday said that all new apps and app updates submitted after February 1, 2014, "must be optimized for iOS 7" and built with the latest version of Xcode 5, a software application for developers.It's nothing new for Apple to want to push developers toward its most current operating system, and that sentiment could be intensified for iOS 7, it's most drastic overhaul of the mobile OS. But the company has at times been more lenient with developers clinging to older versions, letting individual app makers decide whetherthey wanted to make old versions of the app -- like those compatible with iOS 6 -- available for download. The new app store restriction looks like it's trying to put all developers on the same page.