If I follow correctly, it seems they removed the $99 developer registration fee? Smart move, to maximize the number of app ideas generated for the launch.
they’ve removed that for a while if you just want to develop locally, and are OK with apps expiring every 7 days unless you republish with an online check in.
You still need to pay for more advanced features, and to publish your app.
You still need to pay for more advanced features, and to publish your app.