Tools
Sketch
I used to reach for Photoshop by default, now I reach for Sketch. Just about the only thing I keep Photoshop around for now is opening PSD files from those people who haven't yet switched to Sketch 😎.
bohemiancoding.com
Tower
My git client of choice and while the new Version 2 UI took a bit of getting used to, it's still my favourite.
git-tower.com
Xscope
Measure, mirror, inspect and guide. I remember trying this out years ago and wondering whether I'd find a use for it. I shouldn't have worried, within a couple of weeks I couldn't imagine my Mac without it and it gets better with every version.
xscopeapp.com
Soulver
I think this is actually my most used Mac app ever, I don't even remember life before Soulver. Everything from UI calculations to planning how much money we might make, this is the tool I reach for.
acqualia.com
Dash
Not only a better way to read the Apple docs but also has documentation for just about any other language/technology that you would ever need. Essential.
kapeli.com
Receigen
I'm not sure I know of anyone who wishes they could write more receipt validation code, luckily with Receigen we really don't have to anymore.
etiemble.com
HockeyApp
Even if you've moved to TestFlight for beta distribution, my preferred crash reporting tool is still Hockey.
hockeyapp.net
SimPholders
With iOS 7, SimPholders was incredibly valuable. After the directory structure reorganisation that iOS 8 brought, it's essential!
simpholders.com
Screenflow
I think what I love most about Screenflow is that it's just as usable recording a tiny clip to illustrate a bug to producing a full on app preview.
telestream.net
Sip
A quick, simple colour picker with every output format you could ever wish for.
theolabrothers.com
Reveal
Obviously much of this is built into Xcode now but even so, there's definitely still space on my disk for Reveal.
revealapp.com
Kaleidoscope
The built in diff views in Tower are my day to day but if I ever need more power, this is what I reach for.
kaleidoscopeapp.com
Tokens
Absolutely the simplest way to generate and keep track of redemptions for App Store promo codes. Not something I use every day but when I need a promo code, I wouldn't want to be without it.
usetokens.com
Alfred
I know this isn't a development utility, but given that I'd struggle to use my Mac without it it has to qualify 😄.
alfredapp.com
So I thought I'd do something a little different and instead of taking my annual break from writing iOS Dev Weekly, this issue is filled with my recommendations of essential tools for iOS development. There's no sponsorship or job listings and none of these tools have been picked for any other reason than the fact I use them and love them! Obviously there isn't room for every app I use here, but below is a list of my favourites.
So, if you want to give the developers of these tools a little gift this Christmas then download a few tools that you don't already have, every one of them is essential in my eyes. Or, if you do already own them, why not leave them a review on the App Store or tell a friend about them!
Here's to a successful 2015 for everyone! Thanks for reading.
Dave Verwer