Filed under: Developer, App Store, SDK
Podcaster dev can't provision any more licenses
Developer Alex Sokirynsky wrote a blog post this morning saying Apple rescinded his authority to provision new ad-hoc licenses for his software, Podcaster.
The blog post has since been removed, possibly because it violated his developer NDA.
Sokirynsky believes that the licenses already provisioned will continue to work, and expressed disappointment -- but not surprise -- that Apple shut him down.
He also said he would continue updating Podcaster, even though it's unclear if he has a means to distribute it. Podcaster users can contact Sokirynsky if they have questions about their device's ad-hoc status.
Sokirynsky did not say how many devices he provisioned, though we do know it's at least 1,300.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
moo083 said 6:06PM on 9-23-2008
1300???? I thought there was a 100 person limit.
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Nathan said 4:24AM on 9-24-2008
That's right. The Podcaster guy was generating multiple provisioning files with a different set of 100 device IDs in each file. He was using the Delete button on the Device page of the iPhone Portal.
Apple has responded by removing the Delete button. Now you get 100 Adds and it's game over.
Jeremy said 6:17PM on 9-23-2008
Good news as far as I am concerned.
Podcasts still suck pretty badly even after years of Apple basically pouring money into propping them up. How anyone could think that they could whip the rug out from under Apple as the main source of podcasts and have Apple host the app that does that for them, and let people install the competing app on an Apple mobile, I just don't understand.
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steve said 9:33PM on 9-23-2008
So, rather than admit apple is full of shit, you proclaim that Podcasts suck anyway and therefor this doesn't matter.
Nice.
nic said 10:01PM on 9-23-2008
@jeremy
You should use a sarcasm alert or something. People may think you're serious :-)
Libb said 12:10PM on 9-24-2008
This functionality is already allowed on the App Store - several RSS readers can download and play back enclosures from an RSS feed - AKA, a podcast. Why, then, are they allowed to be on the App Store, but Podcaster isn't?
Apple is completely inconsistent in their ludicrous policies, and it's going to be the doom of the App Store.
Fred said 6:29PM on 9-23-2008
gonna be some bad blood methinks. Apple always does this kind of thing and I never understand it. Build the fan/user base make stuff everybody goes all crazy for. Jam it up the user's/developers butt and break it off. Why don't they learn?!?!?
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Wayne said 6:37PM on 9-23-2008
Why doesn't he just jailbreak it? Shouldn't be that hard...
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pacman said 6:52PM on 9-23-2008
How about moving to Cydia with this app?
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brian said 7:01PM on 9-23-2008
So, he distributed it to 1300 folks @ $9.99 each, free of the app store, and without needing to jailbreak the iphone, right? Surely Apple isn't getting a cut of that coin. Seems like halting the provisioning is a simple slap on the hand! I just don't get all of these dev's that can't follow the rules in Apple's game, and then cry to TUAW about it when they're called on it!!
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Edgar Odell Lovett said 7:01PM on 9-23-2008
So why is this news? Is it that he surpassed the 100-client limit?
I guess 1,300 people feel pretty lucky...
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Kevin said 7:08PM on 9-23-2008
We should be able sync over wifi. End of story. Until Apple does that, they do not compete with anyone offering that capability. That USB cable is an anachronistic disgrace in a house with 802.11n wireless.
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MC said 1:57AM on 9-26-2008
The iPhone doesn't support 802.11n. Just an FYI. Your point is still valid overall.
pmup said 7:33PM on 9-23-2008
First of all I doubt the 1300 number. I bet it was closer to 100. Anyway, Apple is starting a movement that they will regret. Pissing all over developers is plain dumb. There was nothing wrong with the Podcaster app or some of the other apps Apple rejected. These developers will simple develop for jailbroken iPhones or another platform like Android, Blackberry or dare I say Windows Mobile.
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Andrew Harrison said 9:49PM on 9-23-2008
He made a new version for each 100 that he sold, it was slightly different each time
LarryInAz said 7:55PM on 9-23-2008
I don't know several folks have doubted the 1300+ number. With all the publicity this app and Apple's decision to ban it from legit distribution in their App store 1300 is a small number when you think of how many folks have heard about it on Leo LaPorte's show[s], Cnet.com' podcasts let alone being mentioned on CNN, Newsweek, etc. etc.
I don't think it was mentioned but the way the author gets around the 100 limitation in "beta test" distribution of an app is by creating a new version or new version number for every 100 licenses sold. More of a nuisance than a brick wall.
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Nick said 8:07PM on 9-23-2008
Podcast syncing over WiFi should have been enabled on the first generation iPhone, and it's ridiculous that Apple would ban an application that serves this obvious unmet demand. The power that the App Store gives them is going straight to Steve Jobs's head. I think it's time to pull the plug on it. I'd be more than happy to part with all my (mostly useless) applications if it meant Apple was starting fresh with a better business model.
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Jon said 8:12PM on 9-23-2008
I've been one of the iPhones biggest supporters, but I'm really starting to get sick of the way apple is handling this platform. The completely closed off, not even allowed to be thought about in public, SDK is a joke.
Because apple says so, we will never see any add-ons or improvements to our favorite apps.
Want to add a cool function/feature your your ipod app? Sure you do....but tough s**t. You are not allowed! Now go to your room and don't ask again!!
I understand they want to make money, but you can only milk your customers for so much before they catch on...then again, they are apple fans. I guess they'll never catch on....
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Bassir said 9:04PM on 9-23-2008
iTunes is just too much hassle for me podcast-wise, Podcaster is the only way I can see myself actually using podcasts..
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Adhocker said 9:42PM on 9-23-2008
It's time to start an ad-hoc distribution network. Let's say 100 people each put in the $99 for an account. Outside of the developer accounts, there's a place to share the raw (unsigned, but unrunnable) binaries between these 100 people. They can each then sign, sell and distribute each rejected app to 100 customers. That's 10,000 satisfied customers. Come up with an incentive scheme that ensures the original developer gets paid but the hosting accounts get an affiliate fee to cover their time and costs.
Just add more accounts to the network if Apple starts to shut them down. Their only option would be to disable Ad Hoc across the board.
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