After getting the server version included into the regular version of Lion Apple is surprising us again. Xcode is no longer free for developers!

Normally Xcode was included on your OS installer/restore DVD that came with every new Mac or on the OS DVD you bought. Updates or new installs could be downloaded from developer.appe.com after free registration.

I wonder why apple has changed the model, I don’t mind paying for the development tools but I don’t understand the move. Also getting an installer package as a paid application is strange, I hope the next version will behave more as a regular app and will be automatically installed after buying. I guess we will also have to see if XCode will still be made available on the installer DVD of os X Lion. At least we don’t have to buy the full developer license.

There are many people complaining on the installer, I found this one from systemsboy very well documented.

What is your take?

Just to inform you all as I missed it myself. Apple have released a new version of XCode. It’s not mandatory to upgrade but I will do it myself and all instructions etc. will be based on this version although I don’t expect any issues if you keep using the previous version.

You can download it from developer.apple.com. If you don’t have an account yet, just register. It’s free if you just want to download XCode and the related information.

What’s new in XCode 3.1.3:

• SDK support for targeting non-Mac OS X platforms, including iPhone OS SDK.
• GCC 4.2 & LLVM GCC 4.2 optional compilers for use with Mac OS X 10.5 SDK
• Updated assistants to create new projects, targets, and source ?les
• Toolbar uses a single popup to choose platform, target, and debug/release
• Integrated SCM support now works with Subversion 1.5