Why do we have to jailbreak to add non-apple approved apps

[UFGator]

Hi. I am beta testing an application for a developer. He sent me the app and I just draggged and dropped it into my iTunes, synched and now I can use the app on my iPhone. If things can be done this way, why don't developers just produce and distribute applications this way and bypass the Apple authorization process? Why jailbreak if it can be done this way?
Thanks,
Joel

[MrEous]

Because Apple wants to approve apps to keep control over their minions.

Truthfully, how can Apple make money off apps if they are distributed freely?

[UFGator]

Because Apple wants to approve apps to keep control over their minions.
Truthfully, how can Apple make money off apps if they are distributed freely?

That's your answer to my question? Maybe you should re-read my question. I think it is very obvious to everyone why Apple is doing it this way. That was not my question. My question was why don't developers who have application that Apple will not allow (tethering, etc) bypass Apple and provide their applications via download.

[shutter13]

Some do, via jailbreak. I may be mistaken but I believe your device has to be registered with apple via the dev portal to use beta apps. The simple fact is it is better and less expensive for apple to control the apps. Doing it your way there is no quality control of the apps you put on your phone and when it screws up your phone most are going to call apple, not the developer.

[UFGator]

I don't think you guys are getting my point.

Some do, via jailbreak.

I have CLEARLY stated that I KNOW this is done via jailbreak.

I may be mistaken but I believe your device has to be registered with apple via the dev portal to use beta apps.

You ARE mistaken.

The simple fact is it is better and less expensive for apple to control the apps. Doing it your way there is no quality control of the apps you put on your phone and when it screws up your phone most are going to call apple, not the developer.

Please re-read my post. I'm not sure you even read it. I understand why Apple wants it this way. That's not the question. My question is why do WE (end users, programmers, etc) do it this way for applications that Apple refuses to allow (tethering, whatever).

Joel

[shutter13]

I don't think you guys are getting my point.



I have CLEARLY stated that I KNOW this is done via jailbreak.

Then your question is not well thought out, as obviously some do VIA JAILBREAK.



You ARE mistaken.

Sorry, your wrong, your udid has to be registered as a beta tester for iTunes to authorize the app on your phone. Now if your installing on a JAILBROKEN phone and you have installed the hacks for cracked apps, then you probably don't, but for stock phones you do.



Please re-read my post. I'm not sure you even read it. I understand why Apple wants it this way. That's not the question. My question is why do WE (end users, programmers, etc) do it this way for applications that Apple refuses to allow (tethering, whatever).

Joel

But your question is answered via jailbreak, it's that simple. The simple fact is to develop legitimate apps for the iPhone you have to play by apple's rules.

[UFGator]

Then your question is not well thought out, as obviously some do VIA JAILBREAK..

My question is well thought out. Your ability to understand my question is where the difficulty existed.


Sorry, your wrong, your udid has to be registered as a beta tester for iTunes to authorize the app on your phone. Now if your installing on a JAILBROKEN phone and you have installed the hacks for cracked apps, then you probably don't, but for stock phones you do.

OK. This makes sense. I didn't register anything, but the developer did need my UDID so I would imagine it was the developer that registered me. Are you saying that the only way I can use the developer's application on my iPhone is if the developer has been given permission by Apple to Beta test the SW? Or can a developer Beta test whatever he/she wants and provide the application to end users? If the previous is the answer then I think that is the answer I was looking for. Developers cannot put their application on your NON-JAILBROKEN phone without registering (and getting the okay) back from Apple and being approved for Beta.


But your question is answered via jailbreak, it's that simple. The simple fact is to develop legitimate apps for the iPhone you have to play by apple's rules.

If the answer to the above paragraph is that Apple must authorize any Beta testing, then I agree. Please verify.

Thanks,
Joel

[shutter13]

My question is well thought out. Your ability to understand my question is where the difficulty existed.

Probably a little of both. The simple fact is apps are distributed just the way you said, the only hitch is you have to be jailbroken. I answered WHY you have to be jailbroken in my first post in this thread, you believed me to be mistaken, which I was not.




OK. This makes sense. I didn't register anything, but the developer did need my UDID so I would imagine it was the developer that registered me. Are you saying that the only way I can use the developer's application on my iPhone is if the developer has been given permission by Apple to Beta test the SW? Or can a developer Beta test whatever he/she wants and provide the application to end users? If the previous is the answer then I think that is the answer I was looking for. Developers cannot put their application on your NON-JAILBROKEN phone without registering (and getting the okay) back from Apple and being approved for Beta.




If the answer to the above paragraph is that Apple must authorize any Beta testing, then I agree. Please verify.

Thanks,
Joel


Apple doesn't actually have to give the OK, but the developer must register your device ID in the developer device portal. That way itunes can authorize the app to run on your unique device. A developer can add any UDID he wishes and his app will run (provided he set up the app correctly) on those devices, but the devices must be registered with apple for stock phones.

[macgirl]

There is no need to question the ability of others to understand your question because you're not getting the answer you want to hear. Why bother asking if you already have pre-determined answers in mind?

shutter13 is right - developers have a limited number of spots for distributing applications for testing or in a corporate environment without going through the App Store, which is called ad hoc distribution. This is managed by UDID, which is why you had to provide your iPhone's UDID to beta test the app. From Apple's site:

Enterprise Distribution
For deploying proprietary in-house applications to authorized users in your company, the iPhone Developer Enterprise Program is available to companies with 500 or more employees.

Ad Hoc Distribution
The Standard and Enterprise Programs allow you to share your application with up to 100 other iPhone or iPod touch users with Ad Hoc distribution. Share your application through email or by posting it to a web site or server.

A developer could use this ad hoc method to sell applications, which has been done (RSS Player comes to mind - I purchased it this way before it was approved for the App Store), but they will quickly hit the limit and won't be able to make any more money after that.

[shutter13]

If things can be done this way, why don't developers just produce and distribute applications this way and bypass the Apple authorization process? Why jailbreak if it can be done this way?
Thanks,To answer this question specifically, because it can't, assuming you want to sell more than 100 copies of you app.

[UFGator]

To answer this question specifically, because it can't, assuming you want to sell more than 100 copies of you app.

OK Thanks. That's the key. I knew there must be something but I didn't know how Apple was keeping developers from doing this. Limiting the number of copies to 100 is what keeps developers from going "off the reservation". Thanks!!

[UFGator]

There is no need to question the ability of others to understand your question because you're not getting the answer you want to hear. Why bother asking if you already have pre-determined answers in mind?

What are you talking about? What makes you think there was some "pre-determined" answer? I don't have any pre-determined answers in mind. I'm just trying to understand. Shutter13 was patient and I got the information I was looking for. Now I know.

A developer could use this ad hoc method to sell applications, which has been done (RSS Player comes to mind - I purchased it this way before it was approved for the App Store), but they will quickly hit the limit and won't be able to make any more money after that.

This is the answer I was looking for. This explains why a developer would not bother circumventing Apple (unless they got a large sum of money for their app). I can assure you this answer was not "pre-determined in my mind".

[macgirl]

What are you talking about? What makes you think there was some "pre-determined" answer? I don't have any pre-determined answers in mind. I'm just trying to understand. Shutter13 was patient and I got the information I was looking for. Now I know.

Because of all of this (emphasis mine):

That's your answer to my question? Maybe you should re-read my question. I think it is very obvious to everyone why Apple is doing it this way.

I don't think you guys are getting my point.
Please re-read my post. I'm not sure you even read it. I understand why Apple wants it this way.

My question is well thought out. Your ability to understand my question is where the difficulty existed.

It's nice to see how you treat members who were trying to answer your question. Glad you now know the answer.