Apple demanding high-res retina ready screenshots from developers – end of the 3GS?

Every year we see a next generation iPhone, with the hardware getting better each year, like the Retina display ( announced in the iPhone 4) and an all new design.

AppStore screenshots have been there since July 10, 2008 via an update to iTunes (the first time the AppStore went online), since then customers have been downloading/looking at amazing applications. Although the majority of Apples current devices have retina displays it has not been a requirement to submit high resolution screenshots, until now.

Apple recently notified iOS developers that future application updates and submissions are now required to include screenshots that meet retina resolution specifications. The requirement applies to both iPhone and iPod touch developers, and it looks like Apple won’t be approving apps that don’t qualify…

Apple writes;

“Required iPhone & iPod touch Screenshot Upgrade for Retina Display

When you create or update your apps in iTunes Connect, you must upload screenshots that are high-resolution. We require your screenshots as high-resolution images so that your app is optimized for the Retina display.

The requirements for high-resolution images are 960 x 640, 960 x 600, 640 x 960, or 640 x 920 pixels. Images must be at least 72 dpi, in the RGB color space, and the file must be .jpeg, .jpg, .tif, or .png. You can update your screenshot files at any time in iTunes Connect.”

With Apple forcing developers to upload these screenshots in a high resolution does this mean that we could be close to seeing an end to the iPhone 3GS and firmware updates that support it? Well it certainly suggests that all developers should be working with an up to date device, or have access to one.

This kind of move is not really unusual as when a new device is released the lowest model is sidelined, which is odd as the 3GS is still very popular.