Apple has finally opened the door to a new promotional code system that allows developers to get full versions of their applications into the hands of reviewers. Now developers can issue up to 50 promotional codes for their application.
These promo codes allow anyone who the developers wish, to download the full version of the application for free. By distributing these applications to reviewers and beta testers, developers can better get the word out about new applications that they have released.
In the App Store, codes may be entered in by using the “Redeem” link. This service is currently only available in the US. We are really curious to see what other changes Apple will make to help developers promote their applications in a sea of over 10,000.
[Via TheiPhoneBlog]
This confuses me. I was a beta tester for the iPhone application “MyNetDiary” a couple weeks before it went “live” in the App Store. They said that they could get up to 100 people to review software this way prior to its normal release. How is this new? Or do I just completely misunderstand what this is?
They probably had your iPhone provisioned as a development device. You can have up to 100 development devices provisioned, promotional codes only download the released app from the AppStore.
You can get hundreds of paid iPhone apps for free and legally using http://promodispenser.com
The site gives away promo codes with a single button click. No lottery, no sweepstakes. The service is absolutely free for users and developers. No strings attached.
Promo codes are uploaded by the developers of the apps.