Apple, Google Release Virus Contact-Tracing Tools to App Makers
- Developers get early beta versions of iOS, Android updates
- Exposure-notification system to officially launch in mid-May
Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg
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Apple Inc. and Google released the first versions of their Covid-19 contact-tracing tools to public health organizations on Wednesday so the agencies can start building applications ahead of the system’s launch in mid-May.
The tool set is a combination of software updates for iOS and Android, and software development kits to help developers build and test their apps. Apple released an early beta version of its software update that incorporates the technology, iOS 13.5, while Google is rolling out an update via its Google Play app store.