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[Update] Apple Set to Launch App Store Beta Program

Over 900 applications are currently available to download via your iPhone or iPod touch from Apple’s recently launched App Store. The store has seen an overwhelming amount of success since its launch, with over 25 million downloads already. Amidst all this App Store glory, Apple has been completey unable to keep up with the influx of submissions from developers. Stories of developers having to wait extended periods of time before even being contacted or acknowledged by Apple appear everyday. Each application that appears in the App Store must be approved by Apple before it can be downloaded, which leaves many companies and in-house developers frustrated, confused and flat-out stunned.

Craig Hockenberry, one of the people behind the initially successful Twitterific app says the following:

“The big problem here is that the only way to install software on an iPhone or iPod touch is with the App Store. There are also no provisions for beta testing. The only way to “test” a fix is to release the changes to tens of thousands of users. It’s the developer equivalent of playing Russian roulette.”

MacBlogz has learned that Apple is going to roll out a new beta program in the next few days. Applications will most likely be capped at 100 beta participants/testers per app. In order for a user to download a beta app, the iPhone or iPod touch’s serial number (that the app will be used on) must be submitted to the developer, who will then flag the device as eligible in the store itself. All betas will still be distributed through the App Store – you won’t be able to download one on an external site.

Developers who haven’t had their apps approved yet will still be able to participate in the beta program (most likely). Although this doesn’t fix the baffling lack of communication on Apple’s part regarding app submission, this should at least neutralize some of the developer’s nervousness as they hit that “submit” button when uploading a new app. With this new beta program, developers will no longer be playing Russian roulette with a large user base. With this beta program, bug fixes can now be properly issued, managed and distributed from developers to a select group of people who can test the fix, and then to the main user base.


via The Washington Post

Updates: Our friends over at TUAW clarify what is meant by this so-called “beta” program.