... and I'm just pointing out that the original poster asked for some help, and all you've replied about is how irresponsible he/she is.
I didn't see anything about asking for help. I see a post that poses a question about what the end result will be when the iCloud beta data is wiped.
My mistake for not having hundreds of thousands in venture capital of which I can use to purchase sole-use test devices.
Just as others have indicated, it doesn't take "hundreds of thousands" in venture capital to purchase sole-use test devices. In fact, you don't have to spend
any money on a new device at all using one simple method - develop using the currently available SDK. When you are able to afford a second device or the iOS 8 SDK becomes public. Also in your signature already you indicate you have two iOS devices. You can easily set one up to be used as a beta device while the other you continue to use normally.
I'm not here saying that I haven't accepted the risk, of course using beta software I along side most other dev's understand data loss, bugs and extra nasties would be present.
What I'm trying to point out here is how Apple have quickly made this decision leaving us a short window to consolidate and backup data...
Actually Apple gave an ample amount of time. If you're someone like me and you choose to brave forth and have the patience to use a beta OS as your main OS, backups are important. It took me ~5 minutes to back up all the data from iCloud on my iPad. Backing up an iOS device and downloading iCloud data is not a lengthy process. This is an exaggeration. Not to mention this is something that should be prepared for. If you choose to use a beta software and you rely choose to rely on their beta service (CloudKit), this is something that should be expected. It becomes your responsibility and your problem when you choose to make it your sole service/backup. Anytime I made a file in Pages/Keynote for iCloud I specifically made sure I a physical backup stored on my computer so that if it turns out I need that file, I have it. Backing up your iOS device also applies to backing up your beta services.
I'm not looking for sympathy nor am I attempting to be melodramatic.
As a student attending university the little amount of money that I do earn goes to food, petrol, bills, rent etc.
Just because I can't afford a second device, but I want to develop my applications for the next release of iOS through my uni units... doesn't make me a "baby".
The "you should have a second device" solution isn't fit one, fit all.
Not attempting to be doesn't mean you aren't.
Honestly if your financial situation is that low then developing for beta software is not what you need to be focusing on. Instead in your free time use the FREE resources and worry about managing your financial situation. You can go on without having to develop on a beta OS.
Maybe I'd like to incorporate features/items that are only included with iOS 8's SDK?
Maybe I'd like to ensure that my applications are 100% bug free and ready for iOS 8's launch later this year?
Then wait for the SDK to become public. You can add those things into your apps after it becomes available and you have a stable option. Or have a second device, or you can do it on your sole device but you can't blame Apple when they make changes when they even specifically advise in their own policy to not store important data on your device and to use it on a second non-main device. As far as being bug-free, that's 100% impossible no matter what SDK you use at any level.
There are countless threads in this very category of users reporting quirkiness in some apps, all the way to major crashes and bugs in others.
As for myself when I fly I use a popular app called 'AvPlan' (navigational app for pilots) crashes when you try to use it a certain way under iOS 8.
And at the same time, many apps work perfectly under iOS 8. The apps that have minor quirks can even be fixed without even needing to use anything new from the iOS 8 SDK. A simple value change using the current publicly available SDK can even fix problems sometimes. Sometimes even simple beta updates fix problems. Plenty of developers have even fixed iOS 8 compatibility issues.
As an avid "never use beta SDK's" yourself SC, that'd mean your users would have a degraded experience when they updated their phones last year to iOS 7 when your app wasn't ready.
Already an incorrect statement, and the counterpoint has already had more than enough evidence.
Even you yourself said you updated your apps to iOS 7's new interface design; which is what a great majority of developers did.
That didn't require the iOS 7 beta SDK. In fact, several apps released to the app store for iOS 6 that used design elements from iOS 7. All they did was simply replace their graphics with pieces designed to look like iOS 7.
My applications will be ready for iOS 8 on launch day - I can be 100% confident that no user will experience any issues whatsoever.
You can
never be 100% confident there will be no issues. This is literally impossible. There can ALWAYS be a bug that you don't notice. It may only even affect a handful of users, but it can still be there, no matter how much you test.
My first reply in this thread I harmlessly stated that the "you must have a second sole-beta testing device" isn't a fit one, fit all solution.
Apparently by stating that, I've created World War III.
Nope. You said that you couldn't afford two iPhones (an iPhone is not the only iOS device to develop on - many developers actually use the iPod touch) and that you were worried about losing your important data. You were informed that you shouldn't store important data on your beta device, and then you promptly launched the entire argument in a somewhat passive-aggressive manner to add.
I'm jumping out of this now. If you wish to push it further go ahead, but you've backed yourself into a wall.
The issue at hand is complete, and the OP has been answered with a solution. The ultimatum was given - Don't store sensitive or important data on your beta device. If you only have one device to do, then keep local backups. You said you accepted the risks yet you didn't prepare and tried to pin it on Apple. Accept the results.
