AdHocDistribution
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Podcaster app distributed via Ad Hoc after Apple rejection
There was a lot of debate last week when Apple rejected the Podcaster app for inclusion in the App Store, saying that it "duplicated iTunes functionality." Rather than taking a stand against programming iPhone apps until Apple's policies shift, like Exposure dev Fraser Spiers, Alex Sokirynsky decided to bypass Apple and distribute the app via Ad Hoc App Distribution.Many developers use Ad Hoc App Distribution to insure that beta testers and reviewers get copies of their software prior to the App Store release. A developer takes the Unique Device Identifier (UDID) from your iPhone, does a little magic, and then sends you two files -- one contains the app, while the other is a provision file. You drag the provision file to your iTunes Applications window, followed by the app file. A quick sync with your iPhone installs the app, and you're ready to go. Alex has set up a website where you can sign up to get an Ad Hoc distribution of Podcaster. You'll need to "donate" $9.99 to Alex via PayPal to get the app. I think this is a great way for smaller developers to get their apps out there, particularly when Apple decides to shut 'em down -- although they are sharply limited in the number of licenses they can distribute this way, no more than 100 devices total are allowed.[via ReadWriteWeb]
Ad-Hoc and the Washington Post
This Washington Post article, suggesting that a beta arrangement for App Store developers is right around the corner, just hit the Digg front page. TUAW wants to clarify a few points raised in that article: The so-called "Beta Program" refers to ad-hoc distribution. This was announced at the SDK keynote and is not a secret. It's a method to distribute apps outside of App Store channels. The "Beta Program" will not be released in the "next few days." Ad-hoc distribution is already available and working. Developers can create ad-hoc provisions through the iPhone Developer Program site today. Developers and users need not use the App Store for testing. Ad Hoc distribution goes directly between the developer and the user. The user needs to supply their iPhone's unique device identifier. The developer then sends a specially compiled version of their app along with a mobile provisioning file. Users drop these into iTunes and they're good to sync. There are several ways to recover UDIDs from iPhones or iPod touch handhelds. In iTunes, open the device Summary tab, tap Serial Number (it changes to "Identifier"), and press Command-C (Mac) or Control-C (Windows). You can then paste the UDID into an email. From the device, you can download Ad Hoc Helper, tap the icon and then address the pre-filled email to a developer. Developers can take advantage of these techniques for ad-hoc delivery now to accomodate beta testers (and reviewers!), without any beta program established through the iTunes store.
