Developers Can Now Issue Free "Promotional" Copies of iPhone Apps

[PowerFullMac]

This is great, but I still think that there needs to be a way to make demo versions of applications. There are plenty of the more expensive apps that I would consider if I was able to try them beforehand. I'm not willing to drop $10-$20 on something that might be a buggy joke.

P-Worm

People can make demo versions, its just not built into the App Store, the developers have to make the demos themselves. I have been a few trials in the App Store.

 

[gloubibou]

Lumen 2.3

Let's try this out. Here are ten codes for Lumen 2.3!

4MYHJAWXFE9R
J7EYJ3Y69LHJ
W4N94LRAK4M6
TEHYTT33WL6F
JNWRTEJ9NWLW
6FE36P94XRRT
3LJK9TM7ETAE
4EM3E9L6H4LE
HW9JYY7WFLEK
FNRR76K3Y7AE

Used 6FE36P94XRRT
Will post review

 

[rockosmodurnlif]

So do I get codes if I promise to leave favorable reviews?

 

[QuarterSwede]

4MYHJAWXFE9R
J7EYJ3Y69LHJ
W4N94LRAK4M6
TEHYTT33WL6F
JNWRTEJ9NWLW
6FE36P94XRRT
3LJK9TM7ETAE
4EM3E9L6H4LE
HW9JYY7WFLEK
FNRR76K3Y7AE

Used HW9JYY7WFLEK. Thanks a ton!

 

[mdwsta4]

great idea, but 50 seems a bit low. why not offer expiration apps instead? after X amount of days or X amount of uses it deletes itself. like others have said, i'd be willing to pay for some apps, but i want to test them first. being the first 50 of someone to discover an app seems nearly impossible to do.

 

[iFerd]

Let's try this out. Here are ten codes for Lumen 2.3!

4MYHJAWXFE9R
J7EYJ3Y69LHJ
W4N94LRAK4M6
TEHYTT33WL6F
JNWRTEJ9NWLW
6FE36P94XRRT
3LJK9TM7ETAE
4EM3E9L6H4LE
HW9JYY7WFLEK
FNRR76K3Y7AE

Just used W4N94LRAK4M6

Thanks for the opportunity!

 

[PM-3PM]

Please try and leave a review at the iTunes Store

Hi everyone,

I just released my kids game, Henry & Hailey's Preschool Pals - Kids Mix & Match.

Please test it our and leave a review for me. I designed it for my son and his little friends.

Thanks!


Preston


Henry & Hailey's Preschool Pals - Redeem codes


9ET44NJAYJJF
LNFL3F6AYKKN
3FA6HEPEMPYY
HNPWJAPTHNF4
Y33PT9EFEK4N
MYPN399MYFW6
YWPEHLLPJNM3
FXAALL4AHL74
H3XMLNKWYH36
97EKW6WRW79E
L66TLTNJTMXL
3JAPWTHRFN33
LTN747MR67F9
XW9NW67JKKNR
R7YTTPNMMR93

 

[broncopde]

Thanks

Let's try this out. Here are ten codes for Lumen 2.3!

4MYHJAWXFE9R
J7EYJ3Y69LHJ
W4N94LRAK4M6
TEHYTT33WL6F
JNWRTEJ9NWLW
6FE36P94XRRT
3LJK9TM7ETAE
4EM3E9L6H4LE
HW9JYY7WFLEK
FNRR76K3Y7AE


Also, as I read the contract that I had to agree to for the codes, I noticed something funny on there.

"If a Holder’s order exceeds the amount available on the Custom Codes, Holder must establish an iTunes Store Purchaser account and pay for the balance with a credit card."

Apparently, if you want more than 50 you can buy them. This is a lot better than buying gift cards for reviewers. My game is only $1.99, but I have to get a $5 gift card to send reviewers.

Used 3LJK9TM7ETAE
I'll leave a review after using it a bit. Thanks.

 

[shigzeo]

demo versions would be great for sure. it has gotten expensive reviewing apps but some developers have given us promotions to redeem which is a lifesaver to say the least.

 

[twoodcc]

i think this is great for the app store, and should help get more apps on there

 

[mozmac]

This is a good start, but we still need to be able to give out demo copies. Giving away free copies helps generate good reviews; however, many people still want to try out the application themselves before plunking down money. Good reviews aren't enough for more expensive applications.

 

[bridgeyman]

This is a good start, but we still need to be able to give out demo copies. Giving away free copies helps generate good reviews; however, many people still want to try out the application themselves before plunking down money. Good reviews aren't enough for more expensive applications.

At first, I thought applying Apple's time-bombed DRM (like their rentals) on applications would be a good idea, but now I am not so sure. Most good games have a Lite version for free that lets you try out the application for free. Although it is a little more difficult for the developer, it gives a us a lot more flexibility. For example, I didn't want my application to expire after a certain amount of time. Lumen's main feature is the number of puzzles available, so for the lite version I offered a limited number of puzzles. Also, I did not include the puzzle editor, because the lite version gets over 10x more downloads. Supporting that many puzzle submissions would be a nightmare. I get enough "test" puzzles with only a few pieces on the board that I have to sort through.

Also, when I got my lite version out my sales went up. I think developers will soon realize this, and all serious apps will have a lite version, just like how most desktop apps have a trial version of some sort.

 

[mdwsta4]

crap! bought note2self before seeing the process on how to redeem a code. i thought it would prompt you to enter a code once you hit buy!! and of course now all the free codes have been used.

 

[Egomaniac]

What the heck, ten free copies of my tank combat game iShoot:

66R9P6ENMTNL
HYY3EKLXWEAM
RMJK6RWW34JM
MF97MYXLMJJ7
A6KRL49P3LHP
KFM7JRKMPXXF
TLT39L7ETRYE
P4KJM4Y97F7X
HTMYRL94HF3W
NYTR9NE6KYXR

 

[Zincous]

What the heck, ten free copies of my tank combat game iShoot:

66R9P6ENMTNL
HYY3EKLXWEAM
RMJK6RWW34JM
MF97MYXLMJJ7
A6KRL49P3LHP
KFM7JRKMPXXF
TLT39L7ETRYE
P4KJM4Y97F7X
HTMYRL94HF3W
NYTR9NE6KYXR

Thanks! I used the one on the bottom: NYTR9NE6KYXR

Review coming soon

 

[razorianfly]

What the heck, ten free copies of my tank combat game iShoot:

66R9P6ENMTNL
HYY3EKLXWEAM
RMJK6RWW34JM
MF97MYXLMJJ7
A6KRL49P3LHP
KFM7JRKMPXXF
TLT39L7ETRYE
P4KJM4Y97F7X
HTMYRL94HF3W
NYTR9NE6KYXR

Thanks! - Used HYY3EKLXWEAM. Expect a review shortly.

R-Fly

 

[jclardy]

What the heck, ten free copies of my tank combat game iShoot:

66R9P6ENMTNL
HYY3EKLXWEAM
RMJK6RWW34JM
MF97MYXLMJJ7
A6KRL49P3LHP
KFM7JRKMPXXF
TLT39L7ETRYE
P4KJM4Y97F7X
HTMYRL94HF3W
NYTR9NE6KYXR

Used the code HTMYRL94HF3W, I'm about to try it out. Thanks!

 

[Telp]

What the heck, ten free copies of my tank combat game iShoot:

66R9P6ENMTNL
HYY3EKLXWEAM
RMJK6RWW34JM
MF97MYXLMJJ7
A6KRL49P3LHP
KFM7JRKMPXXF
TLT39L7ETRYE
P4KJM4Y97F7X
HTMYRL94HF3W
NYTR9NE6KYXR

Used P4KJM4Y97F7X. Thank you very much.

 

[iFerd]

What the heck, ten free copies of my tank combat game iShoot:

66R9P6ENMTNL
HYY3EKLXWEAM
RMJK6RWW34JM
MF97MYXLMJJ7
A6KRL49P3LHP
KFM7JRKMPXXF
TLT39L7ETRYE
P4KJM4Y97F7X
HTMYRL94HF3W
NYTR9NE6KYXR

Just used TLT39L7ETRYE

 

[PM-3PM]

iShoot app

I used code - 66R9P6ENMTNL


Thanks. I will post a review after playing your "iShoot" game.


Preston

 

[macnews]

Hi everyone,

I just released my kids game, Henry & Hailey's Preschool Pals - Kids Mix & Match.

Please test it our and leave a review for me. I designed it for my son and his little friends.

Thanks!


Preston


Henry & Hailey's Preschool Pals - Redeem codes


9ET44NJAYJJF
LNFL3F6AYKKN
3FA6HEPEMPYY
HNPWJAPTHNF4
Y33PT9EFEK4N
MYPN399MYFW6
YWPEHLLPJNM3
FXAALL4AHL74
H3XMLNKWYH36
97EKW6WRW79E
L66TLTNJTMXL
3JAPWTHRFN33
LTN747MR67F9
XW9NW67JKKNR
R7YTTPNMMR93

Just used R7YTTPNMMR93

Will have my kids test it out tonight.

 

[macnews]

What the heck, ten free copies of my tank combat game iShoot:

66R9P6ENMTNL
HYY3EKLXWEAM
RMJK6RWW34JM
MF97MYXLMJJ7
A6KRL49P3LHP
KFM7JRKMPXXF
TLT39L7ETRYE
P4KJM4Y97F7X
HTMYRL94HF3W
NYTR9NE6KYXR

Just used A6KRL49P3LHP

Well that is two free apps for me, will test both and write reviews.

You know, this seems like a good system - first blush impressions. The two apps I am testing I never would have tried if I had to pay and certainly feel more is needed. I rely on the reviews to tell me if the app is decent so I hope this helps the developers.

 

[DavidReeves]

New iPhone Developer Codes Available for Santa Meter

Hi all,

First, to everyone contributing to the groups here: This is by far the most comprehensive collection of "coming soon" mac spaces on the web. Keep it up!

Second, I just released my first iPhone App which was conceived at a dinner conversation with my sister and niece: ("Olivia! Be good! Santa is watching you.")

I have 50 codes available for release and would appreciate honest feedback on the application. Although I certainly wouldn't limit the free code distribution, it's really intended for adults that have children. I've found that my niece LOVES to sit at the table and sneak "Mommy's" phone to give herself "Nice" points. (Which I tried to explain don't really count since she's giving them to herself but, it's difficult to reason with a 4 year old. Haha!)

So anyway, please contact me if you're interested in testing out "Santa-Meter". Please note that version 1.1 is currently under review by Apple that fixes an issue with using images from your photo albums and adds sound effects, so you might want to wait until the update is available to download.

Merry Christmas,
David Reeves
Developer
Santa Meter
davidreevesatl@me.com
Please mention "macrumors" on the code request.

 

[razorianfly]

If anyone is interested, and in association with Cobra Mobile,
I am giving away one free copy of Mouse About, exclusively, here.

R-Fly

 

[MacToddB]

100sounds: Free promo codes available

While supplies last... Email support@NoTieSW.com mentioning this post and get a free promo code for our new app, 100sounds! Visit http://www.100sounds.com for info on the app, which just came out this week!

This is great! I was debating how to get review copies out to bloggers and press without gifting $1 each (losing $0.30 each time). Not a big deal, but I was a little troubled about the ethics of paying reviewers.

Anyway, my app is being reviewed by Apple and I'll post again when it's live.