iPhone app Development and Submission TIPS!

[inf]

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
=====================================

• 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
================================================== ===

• 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.
  
  • English - en.lprog
  • Dutch - nl.lprog
  • French - fr.lprog
  • German - de.lprog
  • Italian - it.lprog
  • Spanish - es.lprog
  • Japanese - jp.lprog

• 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

[m0s]

Anything to add regarding App documentation (code and *.app usage) and specifics about file uploads (code submition / *.app submission)?

Great post, pretty informative and useful for any developer.

[inf]

Thanks m0s. I'll be adding some tips on memory allocation and localization when i get back from work.

Also, please post the promo codes you have redeemed. Thanks.

[inf]

I've modified the original post and added the following tips.

• Basic memory rule: If you allocate, create or copy you need to release.

• Remember to allocate memory for NSArrays and NSMutableArrays.

• Add a loading screen to your app easily! Just add a 320x480 or 480x320 png file to your project. Name the image Default.png

• 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.
  • English - en.lprog
  • Dutch - nl.lprog
  • French - fr.lprog
  • German - de.lprog
  • Italian - it.lprog
  • Spanish - es.lprog
  • Japanese - jp.lprog

[iPhoneQuery]

Thanks for your information about application submission. I have some doubts about this. Do i need to follow any coding standards since i used undocumented API as well. Will it create any problem while submitting my application? Is there any detailed document from Apple for the application submission?

Again thanks for your post and expecting your reply.

[inf]

Originally Posted by iPhoneQuery

Thanks for your information about application submission. I have some doubts about this. Do i need to follow any coding standards since i used undocumented API as well. Will it create any problem while submitting my application? Is there any detailed document from Apple for the application submission?

Again thanks for your post and expecting your reply.

I found the "Publishing on the app store video" by apple to be very informative

https://deimos.apple.com/WebObjects/Core.woa/BrowsePrivately/adc.apple.com.1579102445.01579102451.1580085281?i= 2050284209

The video will take you through all the steps required to submit your app.

You actually submit the compiled .app file. I'm not sure if Apple can actually see your class files etc.. So i guess your coding standards don't really matter, correct me if i'm wrong anyone.

[FlyingDiver]

Coding standards per-se don't matter, but Apple can tell if you used undocumented API and may reject it for that.

joe

[m0s]

Originally Posted by FlyingDiver

Coding standards per-se don't matter, but Apple can tell if you used undocumented API and may reject it for that.

joe

Is 'undocumented' a basic way of saying non-apple / third-party API?

For example TouchXML.

[FlyingDiver]

Originally Posted by m0s

Is 'undocumented' a basic way of saying non-apple / third-party API?

For example TouchXML.

No, it means classes and methods in the Apple SDK that are not documented, and are considered private. Apple doesn't document them because they don't want you to use them directly.

joe

[m0s]

Originally Posted by FlyingDiver

No, it means classes and methods in the Apple SDK that are not documented, and are considered private. Apple doesn't document them because they don't want you to use them directly.

joe

thanks for the clarification.

[user151]

Hi,

I am making an application in which I am using gsoap and libxml2, so I have a question,
is there any problem with the App Store approval of application which uses gsoap and libxml2. Is there anyone who put such an application to appstore and can tell if everything went smooth ?
Thanks !

[inf]

I still have a few promo codes left.

Send me a private message if you would like to try MyMemoryMad.

[inf]

MyMemoryMad just got reviewed!

Check it out here: http://www.appchatter.com/2009/04/app-review-mymemorymad-tests-your-memory/


I still have a couple of free promo codes. Email me at contact@iphonemobileapps.com if your interested.

[xnanoob]

thank very much for information .

your topic is nice post.

[CunningCat]

What is the 512x512 tiff/jpeg image used for?

[3no]

Originally Posted by CunningCat

What is the 512x512 tiff/jpeg image used for?

My understanding is that it's used where the appstore needs a larger/higher rez version of your icon.

[CunningCat]

thanks. All of the above helped alot

[m0s]

Quick Question.

When you upload your App you are asked to "'Confirm Primary Language and Company Name' which CANNOT be changed".

The question is can the 'company name' be the name of your company - non LLC - if you registered as an individual?

I realize that your name will still be listed as the Seller, but can you have a company that is producing all your apps (as this company name will be applied to all your apps)?

I might be mistaken, but I think I have seen the following in the Appstore

Seller : James Moss
copyright : (c) Moss Software.

with the link to All Applications by Moss Software

This might have been entered in the copyright information, but the simple question is:

IF you have registered as an INDIVIDUAL developer, does the "'Company Name' which CANNOT be changed" HAVE to be your name?

followup:
Does the (c) copyright information HAVE to be your name
if registered as an individual?

[m0s]

It looks like this is possible assuming from : SpeedTest X

as this is an individual seller : and it lists All Applications by VeeApps and (c) VeeApps
this suggests the company name for Individuals can be set to a unique name different to the Individual name of Seller.

Can someone confirm this?

[m0s]

here is another :

invertebrate pocket reference

both of these are currently on the Ad Banner on the iphonedevsdk forums.

also

Tap Forms Database is an individual registered, but with a 'company name' for there apps.

I hope I can get confirmation from one of these forums users.

Thanks

[roocell]

is it important to run on OS 2.0/2.1 ??
my app is crashing on some pretty simple stuff.

[sudha.Sandhiya]

Hi Guys,

"The App Store Submissions now being reviewed on iPhone OS 3.0"

Is there any more changes on 3.0 API?

anyone has any idea regarding this.


Thanks

[Diggers]

Originally Posted by FlyingDiver

Coding standards per-se don't matter, but Apple can tell if you used undocumented API and may reject it for that.

joe

So, do i just need to add the .app file and the icon file into a zip? And that's the "Binary"? Or as the compliled app includes my icon and i'll be uploading it via iTunes Connect do I just zip the .app file?

Cheers

[roocell]

Originally Posted by Diggers

So, do i just need to add the .app file and the icon file into a zip? And that's the "Binary"? Or as the compliled app includes my icon and i'll be uploading it via iTunes Connect do I just zip the .app file?

Cheers

I'm pretty sure that it's just the .app file zipped up-the download screen on itunes connect does some validation of your zip file, so i would suspect that it would complain (it complains about code signing).
I think they use your 512X512 icon file for their purposes. This file has to be exactly the same as your icon in your app (and not scaled up).

disclaimer: I've submitted my first app, but hasnt been approved yet (3days). So a confirmation from someone else on this matter would be helpful.

[roocell]

Originally Posted by roocell

I'm pretty sure that it's just the .app file zipped up-the download screen on itunes connect does some validation of your zip file, so i would suspect that it would complain (it complains about code signing).
I think they use your 512X512 icon file for their purposes. This file has to be exactly the same as your icon in your app (and not scaled up).

disclaimer: I've submitted my first app, but hasnt been approved yet (3days). So a confirmation from someone else on this matter would be helpful.

my app just got approved - so my previous statement is accurate.