App Store problems: Beta coming soon?
Apple checks and approves each app that makes is way to the app store. I know it doesn’t look like it going by some of the funny apps in the App Store, but it’s true.
The last we heard at the WWDC, 4000 App Store licenses had been issued, and presumably many more since then. The number of apps in the app store is still less than a thousand, and many developers have released multiple apps. So what are the other developers doing with their licenses? Not their fault really. There’s a big rush, and Apple is not able to put the apps it receives through the review process fast enough. There’s a big backlog, and naturally, many developers are waiting in frustration for their apps to make it to the app store.
But the problems don’t end there. Once you have your app ready, there’s no means to test it thoroughly anywhere. The only way to download an app is through the App Store which means it’s available to millions of people right away. Tricky situation if you are releasing an upgrade, for instance. It goes to everyone or no one. This explains some of the reports we’ve come across about applications crashing, or not running properly. (Apple issued some guidelines for that a while ago. Check our report here.
But now, TechCrunch reports, Apple is addressing this problem by launching a Beta program for the App Store. Developers can now test their apps on up to a hundred devices. Each device will be identified by its serial number, and developers need to give appropriate device details to Apple in order get these hundred customers to participate in the beta program.
The program won’t be without its teething problems though. At present, developers get no information from Apple regarding who has downloaded their apps. So finding volunteers to test their Beta apps isn’t going to be easy for developers.
Still, it’s a step forward towards solving the problem, and that’s always welcome.
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[...] jaredb03 wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptBut the problems don’t end there. Once you have your app ready, there’s no means to test it thoroughly anywhere. The only way to download an app store is through the App Store which means it’s available to millions of people right away. … [...]
I have to say that I’m very disappointed in the App store. So far nearly all the Apps are useless. When are developers going to give us Apps that are worthwhile to download (and pay for); and when is Apple going to loosen the restrictions so truly worthwhile Apps will be developed? Currently, Apples guidelines are forcing developers to make Apps that are basically the same crappy Web based Apps as before, but with a resident gateway - BIG DEAL.
I know one excuse is that the developers haven’t had enough time to develop final version and released the best 1.0 versions that they could before the opening of the App store. But I don’t buy that, there have been may good, professional, and useful Apps already developed for Jailbroken iPhones; it would only make sense for those developers to buy a license and port those over to the App store - or is Apple not giving them licensed to spank them for selling Apps before Apple was ready to cash in on them?
All I know is that I bought my iPhone four months ago for $599 and loved it. Just last week I bought a 2nd (3G iPhone) for my son for $299 and, now with 2.0 I hate both my iPhone and my son is already realizing the frustrations of this device. If they’re going to release an OS (2.0) that is as annoying as Windows Mobile, and lock us into expensive AT&T contracts (which Window Mobile Devices don’t require) then the least they can do is give us the benefits of good professional applications (like Windows Mobile does).
@Mike: Couldn’t agree with you more. The quality of the apps in the App Store is disappointing, and the prices, considering how little the apps achieve, simply outrageous. And in many cases we were in fact better off using the web apps. Facebook is an example.
Some of the apps developed for jailbroken iPhones have in fact made it to the App Store. The trouble is that, with iPhone 2.0 and the new SDK, porting is a lot more work, so many of these developers are taking their time. Apple is definitely not against developers who have worked on the jailbroken platform.
All that the initial launch of the App Store proves is that Apple has put in enough hardware to give you a phone that is essentially a computer. There’s plenty of potential, so let’s hope the App Store delivers soon.