iPhone Buzz » appstore

Quick how to: Ad Hoc Helper and Ad Hoc Distributed apps

Vincent Nguyen — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 01:35:13 +0000

Apple have been especially strict with programmers who want to release ‘beta’ software to iPhone and iPod Touch users; right now, the company will reject submissions with ‘beta’ or ‘test’ style descriptions. However developers must have a way to send out beta or review copies of their apps to beta testers and reviewers. Up until now, the only way to get apps into the hands of testers and reviewers is through iTunes, and that has led to critical reviews as beta software is presumed to be the finished product. Enter Ad Hoc Helper.

Ad Hoc Helper lets you email a copy of your iPhone or iPod’s UDID (unique device identifier) to developers so they can add you to their Ad Hoc distribution profiles. This lets them create a special version of their apps that can be sent to you outside of the normal AppStore channels.

Ad Hoc Helper will automatically generate an email, and embed a 40-character identifier in the email. All you need to do is send it to the developers.

Developers can then embed the identifier inside the apps they send you. These apps will only work with your iPhone, iPhone 3G or iPod touch. You should receive two files: an .app and the .mobileprovision file. Copy them into itunes, and sync your iPhone to install. That’s it!

How to step-by-step:

1) On your iPhone, open the App Store, go to the ‘Utilities’ category and download the program ‘UDID(Ad Hoc Helper)’. If you like you can search for the app – it might be quicker than scrolling through the whole list.
2) Run the program. It will automatically compose an email message, with your device identifier. Send the email to the developers.
3) Drag both the .app file and the .mobileprovision file into iTunes on your PC or Mac and sync your iPhone to install.

Ad Hoc Helper how to video:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3L-f8GrCR8[/youtube]

Sharing Apps: Easier Than You Think

Brenda Stokes — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:00:54 +0000

When it comes to enabling the iPhone to do more than it was intended to do, people typically incorporate hacks or special software to incorporate a new function. So won’t it be refreshing today to discover that you can share apps between iPhones without hacks or trickery?

It’s simple. Just log into the iTunes library where you want to share the app with your AppleID that you used to buy the app the first time. Go to the AppStore and buy the app again. However, instead of having to pay, you will be prompted with a dialog that says, “You have already purchased this item,” and you’ll be able to download it again for free. Pretty cool, huh?

Then, just log out of your account on this second computer and the app should sync right up with the iPhone connected to that library. This is great if you and your spouse both have iPhones but don’t want to have to buy duplicate apps.

[via MacRumors]

AdMob Loads Up iPhone 3G With Ads

Brenda Stokes — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:38:46 +0000

AdMob announced last Thursday the launch of its iPhone 3G ad marketplace in which ads specifically tailored to the iPhone’s unique format can be bought.

These new ads are not just browser-based, however, and will also be functional in native iPhone applications and with one click, you will be taken to the AppStore, iTunes or some other specified location. Both Brand and Performance formats will be available.

Major launch partners include:

Jaguar
Ford
Electronic Arts
Universal Pictures
Land Rover

It will be interesting to see how intrusive these ads are or if they are pretty seamless. But if you ask me, don’t we get enough advertising in our lives as it is? Might this be going a bit overboard?

[via FierceMobileContent]