$99 get you quite a lot as an Apple iPhone developer; invites to Tech Talks, an Apple employee spending hours reviewing you Apps and of course the ability to list your App on iTunes.
Despite all this, developers have been moaning since day one. I’m not going to re-hash all the arguments about review processes etc, etc. But I do have a wish list, and if I’ve been a good developer this year maybe Steve Jobs will deliver some of them.
- UK Promo Codes — our apps are mainly for the UK market and how can I get Jemima Kiss to review it if I can’t send her a free copy.
- Aggregate Ratings and Reviews — Having to search for new reviews in iTunes is a nightmare and responding to them is impossible. What if my game is loved in New Zealand? I’ll never know. What if people in India are demanding a localised version? I’ll never know. Ratings and reviews from around the would should be accessible form iTunes Connect.
- Discounted Development Devices — The current developer discounts leave a lot to be desired. I want 3 cost price iPhones or iPods each year.
- Paid-for App Updates — Remember all the fuss with Tweetie 2? That could of all been solved if Apple made provisions for Paid-for App Updates. You could do it with In App Purchase, but it’s messy, and doesn’t allow for downgrades etc.
- Relaxing of the App Store contract — An App we developed was rejected because it had recordings of swear words. Does Apple censor all the Rap music and Movies it sells?