An Apple Christmas Gift, For Devs and Reviewers!

Posted by: Peter Murphy on Dec 03 2008

Here at JAMM, we have a bunch of gadget enthusiasts, all working together to bring you the latest and greatest from around the mobile tech world. The Credit though, should really go to all of the Software developers, accessory and device manufacturers that freely supply us with review samples, so that we can get the knowledge out to you, Our valued readers.

One thing that has been a thorn in the side of not only enthusiast sites like ours, but to software developers as well, has been the inability to easily get iPhone applications out to reviewers.

Case in point a plea from Marc over on the iliumsoft blog back in November

 

If there is one thing that is missing from the AppStore, it’s a “Gift This App” button. Don’t get me wrong. Despite a few hiccups early on, overall we’re quite happy with the whole AppStore experience. It’s just that we’d love a way to buy promo copies of our software for people. And then there are reviewers. We know about Ad Hoc, but splitting 100 Ad Hoc licenses between in-house devices, beta testers, and reviewers just isn’t enough. We’ll pay full price for our software - we just want it to be free for the other person.

Well finally the Apple’s not half eaten, you know the analogy, “is the glass half empty, or half full”. Everything up until now that the team have reviewed, they have paid for if it wasn’t a free app, and I remember a little bit of advice that went around early on in the appstore days, “all of those 99 cents will soon add up”.

Well Christmas has come early on this front, as Apple have

Apple has finally started allowing developers to issue free promotional copies of their iPhone applications. Once an application has been accepted to the App Store by Apple, developers can issue up to 50 promotional codes. The codes allow the recipient to download a full copy of the application for free. Presently, these codes can only be used in the U.S. iTunes Stores by using the “Redeem” link in the App Store.

 

This is probably one of the best moves, and money savers, for reviewers all through out blogdom, and thanks to Apple for the full experience, without the credit card stress!

Expect to see a lot more iPhone stuff on the site, as this new policy disseminates through the developer community!

Via TouchArcade

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