After many weeks of learning and programming, my first iPhone app has finally been released.
I just got an email with the subject "Your application status is Ready for Sale" a couple of hours ago, what a happy moment it was.
My first app is called
MyMemoryMad. It's a simple memory game where players can compare their memory with other players from around the world. I've listed a couple Promotional codes at the bottom of this post.
Here are a few notes on the duration of tasks from applying for the "Standard Program" to Apple releasing the app.
- Learning how to program and use Xcode (Watched alot of tutorial videos and read alot of documents): 5 days
- Applying for the "Standard Program" $99: Waited for 5 days for approval
- Programming MyMemoryMad (and still learning at the same time): 10 days
- Designing MyMemoryMad icon and writing descriptions for the app store: 2 days
- Setting up provisioning profile for Ad Hoc distribution and testing (This part was a pain): 2 days
- Preparing files for submission, including screenshots, support website and emails: 3 days
- Filling out and submitting tax info, contact details and bank info for paid contract: Waited for 7 days for approval
- Submitting MyMemoryMad (Yay the most exciting part): Waited for 7 days for approval
Below are some random tips on developing
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- The videos at http://www.iphonedevcentral.org/home.php are a must to watch for all the new developers out there. I found the following videos to be very useful.
- http://www.iphonedevcentral.org/tutorials.php?page=ViewTutorial&id=19&uid=3928739
- http://www.iphonedevcentral.org/tutorials.php?page=ViewTutorial&id=2&uid=8385142
- http://www.iphonedevcentral.org/tutorials.php?page=ViewTutorial&id=11&uid=9690027
- Basic memory rule: If you allocate, create or copy you need to release.
- Remember to allocate memory for NSArrays and NSMutableArrays.
Below are some random tips on submitting your first application
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- Add a loading screen to your app easily! Just add a 320x480 or 480x320 png file to your project. Name the image Default.png
- Making a provision profile can be a pain. Follow the instructions on iPhone Dev Center - Apple Developer Connection carefully.
One of the things that is commonly missed is to set the same bundle ID in your info.plist file and provision profile.
- The following images will be required.
- A 57x57 png icon, rounding and shine will be added automatically.
You can remove the shine by adding the following lines in your info.plist file.
<key>UIPrerenderedIcon</key>
<true/>
- A 512x512 tiff/JPEG image.
- Up to 4 screen shots of your app, you can take these by holding the power button and then pressing home button on your device.
- For non-US Developers, a "Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding" form (W-8BEN) form will need to be completed. Follow the instructions in iTunes connect.
- For Australian Developers, you'll be required to upload your ABN and GST certificates in iTunes Connect.
- For developers residing outside of Japan, a Japanese tax treaty form will need to be completed if you want to sell your apps in Japan. The form can be downloaded in iTunes Connect.
- Applications using encryption to protect data or information security purposes will require a "A copy of the commodity classification ruling (CCATS) confirming classification of the Product under ECCN 5D992." More information can be found here: U. S. Bureau of Industry and Security - Encryption Guidance
- Compile your application with version 2.0 when possible. This will broaden ur potential buyers as some users have not upgraded to the latest version.
- The app store currently supports 7 languages. Localizing your app for these languages may increase your potential market.
- I had a hard time finding the correct folder names for Localization, so i've listed the folder names for each country.
- Make sure your application name is not trademarked. Search around before you choose an app name, there are many cases where developers have had to change their application name due to trademark issues.
- As soon as you get the email titled "Your application status is Ready for Sale", go straight to iTunes Connect and edit your applications Availability date under the Prices tab. This will ensure your app appears on the top of the latest released list.
Well those are all of the tips that i currently have. Feel free to post additional tips.
Hope this post will help fellow developers out there!
This forum has been incredible helpful. Thanks for all the help!
Oh here are the promotional codes:
1 - Y47KLX3ME33H
2 - A37PYXP3REHJ
3 - HJRXHRTHTKA7
4 - KP7WKW9E747A
5 - ENFWJWLKAKRR
Oh, and some feedback and reviews on
MyMemoryMad would be great, thanks
