Feb 17
MongoGeneral Tech, iOS Apps app, iOS, iPad, iPhone, iPod, iTunes, promo codes, redeem
I continue to be amazed at how many people simply have no idea how to use promo codes for iOS apps, even when told it is the same exact way you would redeem an iTunes gift card. Regardless, I’m tired of sending the same instructions over and over again, so will explain how to redeem app promo codes in this post, and hopefully save another developer from having to do the same.
From your iPhone/iPod/iPad:
Step one: Open the app store app
Step 2: Tap featured on the bottom tab bar, and if it isn’t already selected, tap either “New” or “What’s Hot” on the top tool bar. Then scroll to the bottom, and tap “Redeem”.
Step 3: Enter your promo code!
One you have submitted your code, the app will automatically download to your iOS device. The app will usually install to the first available space you have on the device OTHER than the first page. So, if you have an open spot on page 2, then it will be there, if page 2 is full, then it will be on 3, etc etc.
If you entered a code from an iTunes gift card instead of a promo code from a developer, then the sum of that giftcard will be applied to your iTunes account, which you can then use to buy some cool apps.
From iTunes
If you happen to be at your computer with promo code (or iTunes gift card) in hand, you can also enter it in iTunes.
Step 1: Open iTunes, and click “Store”
Step 2: Find the “Quick Links” section on the right hand side of the iTunes app, and click “Redeem”
Step 3: Enter you code, and click Redeem
This will start downloading the app if it was a promo code, or apply the cash value to your iTunes account if it was a gift card. The only drawback about doing it this way for promo codes, is that you have to sync your device with iTunes before it will be installed on your device, which kinda sucks. The easiest way by far for promo codes is to enter the code on your device.
Dec 16
MongoiPhone, Software Development app, free, iOS, iPhone, tool, udid, utility
If you ever want to work with an iOS developer in order to beta test their application, the first thing they will most likely ask for is the UDID of your device. The UDID is a unique id that is on every iOS device. Developers needs this ID in order to provision your device for a special “pre-release” ad-hoc build. Getting the UDID of the device is not hard, but the typical way of getting it involves plugging your device into your computer, launching iTunes, etc etc. Luckily, there are a ton of apps in the app store that are both free and can grab that ID for you. I’ve looked at a number of them, and most either contain ads (really? for a one time use app?), or have other features you don’t need or care about. After all, I just want the damn UDID to send to the developer after all.
After doing some searching and testing a number of apps, I ran across an app (appropriately named “UDID Tool“) that met all my requirements:
- Straight and to the point, show’s me the UDID immediately, no having to tap another button to get it
- Can send an email with the UDID from the app OR copy to the clipboard
- Clean interface, not something I’d be hesitant or embarrassed to send to a client.
- Designed to run on the iPhone, iPod, and the iPad
While true, an iPhone app can run on the iPad, it sure is nice to have an app that is already designed for the iPad and not look like crap when blown up to 2x. The other big thing for me was to have an app free of branding, spam, ads, etc that I could send to potential beta testers or clients, and this app fits the bill. It’s clean, looks like a tool, and does exactly what it advertises, and is free.
If you are in need of a tool to send to beta testers, or are a beta tester that needs a quick way of finding your UDID to send to the developer, this is the tool for you.
You can download UDID Tool from Apple’s app store by clicking this link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/udid-tool/id377602501?mt=8
Nov 04
Mongocertificates, iPhone, Mac, Software Development certificates, chrome, errors, iPhone, safari
Part of the process of setting up iOS apps for push notifications involves signing and submitting certificate signing requests in Apple’s iOS Provisioning Portal. Typically, if you can read and follow directions, this is not too big of a deal. However, if you do end up getting the dreaded “The Certificate file is invalid. Please check the file and try again.” error, then the cause may just have nothing to do with you, and everything to do with your browser.
I have run into this a couple of times now, and both times it was because I was using Google’s Chrome browser. For whatever reason, Chrome can’t seem to play nicely with the iOS provisioning portal and screws up the upload. If you switch over to Safari, you should have no problems submitting the certificate signing request. If you are still getting an error, then the problem is some where else.
If you get this screen and are using Chrome:
Switch to Safari and you should get this:
Moral of the story:
Jul 27
MongoMac, Software Development debugging, interface builder, iPhone, xcode
If you have ever come across the following error, it can be pretty frustrating if you don’t know where to look:
*** Terminating app due to uncaught exception ‘NSUnknownKeyException’, reason: ‘[<SomeViewController 0x13e190> setValue:forUndefinedKey:]: this class is not key value coding-compliant for the key someObjectView.’
Nearly every time I’ve seen this so far, it has been because I had removed a view (UIButton, UILabel, etc) and had forgotten to remove the connection in Interface Builder. So, if you are seeing this error and your code looks fine, remember to check IB!
Jul 31
MongoGeneral Tech iPhone, recovery mode
The Dreaded Recovery Mode Screen
So, my saga started after trying to apply the latest patch from apple for my iPhone which was to guard against the “serious” SMS vulnerability that had come to light after the Black Hat conference in Vegas. More info on that can be found here.
Anyway, after downloading the 297 MB patch in iTunes, some error occurred half way through the patch process that left my iPhone in recovery mode. None of the current “Hold power button & home button for 30 seconds while standing on your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time” type fixes would get the phone out of this dreaded recovery mode. The solution from apple is to hit the restore button, and wait for 3 hours (exaggerated, I know but that’s what it feels like) for your phone to be restored – then try to reapply the patch. Well, that pretty much just sucks, so I went about looking for a better solution.
As it turns out, a better solution is out there. There is a program, for both Mac and Windows, called iRecovery. It is a command line tool and will save you much time. I learned of its existence from this link: http://ipitg.net/how-to-kick-iphone-out-of-recovery-mode-mac/
I have copied their instructions below, just in case they should be removed from their site for whatever reason.
The Process:
Download iRecovery (for windows, go here & here).
Install iRecovery.
Open /Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app
Run this command: “iRecovery -s”
Type: “printenv”
Look for this variable in the list: “auto-boot”. Most likely, yours will be set to false (hence your problem).
If “auto-boot” is set to “false” or isn’t present at all, follow the rest of this guide. If it’s set to true, try restarting your iPhone/iTouch by holding home and power for 10 seconds.
Type this: “setenv auto-boot true”.
Type: “saveenv”.
Type: “reboot”.
Your iPhone/iTouch should now reboot into normal mode.
This worked on my iPhone 3GS running the 3.0.1 OS.
Now go forth, and fix your iPhone.
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