iPhone Users - App Question

[Lee]

When you choose and install an app for your iPhone, do you have to download/install it from Apples app store or can you basically just grab it from anywhere to install?

For example, if i had an app written for the iPhone, could people wanting to use this app get it from a website that i made specifically for the app or would i have to have it included in Apples store for download there?

Regards,

Lee

[GayGeek]

I know nothing about iPods and iPhones and iToasters and such, so I asked my husband who considers himself an expert on the subject. He says you have to get it from the Apple Store. You cannot install anything on your phone (unless it's hacked somehow) that does not come from Apple.

That being said, you can create an iPhone-optimized web application that'll run on a website that iPhone users can navigate to. It's not quite the same, but it's an option.

My husband also says that Apple maintains full and utter control over anything in their store -- they are judge, jury, and executioner of such matters and are not porn friendly. (I thought I heard somewhere that the first adult app had finally been approved).

Developers are charged $99 (or somesuch) to put their software in a store. He isn't sure if that's an annual fee, or if it's to register as a developer, or what. But basically it costs a few bucks to put stuff in the iPhone app store to avoid being inundated with crappy programs.

--Aaron

[DEVELISH]

imho you HAVE to offer it through appstore since apple needs to approve it and you can not install apps other than using appstore. on a jailbreak system its different

[Lee]

Yeah it costs $99 to register in order to be a programmer, unless you opt to go the $300 route, which allows for 'in-house' distribution... Which makes me think there must be a way around using the Apple App Store.

Regards,

Lee

[gaybucks_chip]

There is no (legal) way to distribute apps to a regular iphone except through the app store.

If you jailbreak it, then there are other options, but that would be eliminating 90% of your market... and plus, Apple might come after you since it would be a violation of your developer agreement with them.

I think the "in house distribution" refers to specialized apps used exclusively in a closed network, say an app that runs only on, say all iphones that IBM staffers have or something. It is definitely not an alternate distribution method, otherwise no one would use the app store.