Are you an app developer? Do you believe that miracles can happen? Would you like to submit a new app that you have developed entirely on a simulator and then hope that it will work on the hardware? Would you like your app to be in the app store? Well, now is your chance.
In the past few days Apple has opened up its submissions system and is now accepting iPad application submissions. You can submit your app today through iTunes Connect and you will then shortly be informed whether or not it is ready for the grand opening of the iPad app store.
As well as this, simulator only apps that have been developed with the iPhone SDK 3.2 BETA 5 can also be submitted to Apple from now on for initial review. Simply upload your app to the app store and the review team will send you an email with feedback on your submission and how close your application is to making it into the app store. Apple will also send you information regarding submitting your applications for the final review before the iPad ships, which for most of us, will be before we even get our hands on the hardware.
If you are thinking about waiting for a while before you submit your app to the app store then you need to rethink your plans. Apple has explained that only the apps submitted for the initial review will be considered for the grand opening of the iPad App Store. An Apple spokesperson said “We are looking forward to having a great line up of apps available on April 3rd when we launch the iPad and are hoping that we will see a similar success as with the iPhone app store”. The iPad app store is due for launch on the same day that the iPad device is released.
A lot of developers have expressed some excitement over the new iPad apps and a lot of devopeler have also expressed some concern. One iPad developer said “I think it is a pretty risky start being as we can never be sure that app’s which work on the simulator will work entirely with the device”. A lot of developers have insisted on testing not only the hardware but also a wide range of models of the device with a wide range of firmware installations before they submit their applications. Getting the compatibility of an app correct is extremely hard, especially when you have to develop the apps entirely on a simulator that is not true to life.
We will see how well the simulator has managed to do its job on April 3rd when the grand opening of the iPad app store will commence. This will be both and exciting and nerve-racking time for Apple as the success of the iPad will depend a great deal on its first impressions. If the apps don’t work on the day of launch apple could be in real trouble.
