Setting up development device.

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Level 1

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Setting up development device.

Hello guys,

Just about to set up my device for development for the first time.

Device is updated to latest 2.1 firmware.
Does development on device work Ok with this newest firmware 2.1 version?

Also, once I set it up, can I use the device normally as a phone? Does it get locked or something? Anything special to worry about? I remember reading somewhere (EULA I think), that once it is set up for dev, it can't be restored back to normal usage.

I'd buy another device, but in my country I have to sign a 2 year contract line, even if it's just for development. It would be nice if apple could offer special devices for development, as it is quite limiting to have to tie yourself 2 years, and more limiting if you need several devices.

Thanks a bunches. 😀

Mac Mini, Mac OS X (10.5.4)

Posted on Sep 13, 2008 1:57 AM

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Answer 1

BeSharp

Level 1

24 points

Sep 13, 2008 2:49 AM in response to Chamchamcham

Welcome to iPhone Development! 🙂

Setting up your device for development with the latest 2.1 firmware works fine. You can even run apps developed for older versions side by side. Also: The SDKs install nicely side-by-side.

Once you've set up your device for development it is absolutely no problem to continue using it as a regular phone. I'm not aware of any possible legal terms that would not allow you to do so - I doubt it! - and speak technically here. I recall that when I started I was confused regarding this aspect, too. I'm not sure but I remember that on one of Apple's web site I got the impression that a device prepared for development will no longer work as a regular phone - technically. This is NOT the case.

When you set up your device for development a development provisioning profile is added to it so that the code signature can be verified on your device. (Apple allows you to deploy developed applications to up to 100 devices, so if you want to give them to your friends for beta testing prior to uploading them to App Store, you can do it.) Everything else remains fine. I'm using one of my development devices as my standard day-2-day iPhone, too.

In case you're running into difficulties setting everything up, you might want to check out my blog post:

http://www.talentgrouplabs.com/blog/archive/2008/08/21/preflightingapplication-e rrors-0xe8000001-and-others.aspx

Hope this helps,
Ralf

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Answer 2

Chamchamcham Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 13, 2008 3:48 AM in response to BeSharp

Thanks, actually I've been devleoping on the simulator for several months now, since Beta SDK.

I'm a bit scared in switching to device; hope doesn't break or won't allow me to keep using my iPhone normally. I'll cross my fingers. 😀

Thanks for your really helpful reply and warm welcome. 🙂

Just one more question... can I develop my app to be compatible with firmwares != 2.1? Say for instance, compatible with 2.0.x and 2.1 at the same time? That's something of a concern, as I don't know if everyone out there will switch to 2.1.

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Answer 3

BeSharp

Level 1

24 points

Sep 13, 2008 4:38 AM in response to Chamchamcham

You're more than welcome! This community is intended to help. And I've found many great tips here, too.

Don't worry about switching to the device. It'll be pure fun. I've been in the same position and once you've deployed your first app to your device and show it to others, you'll love it! It's so different from working against the simulator.

And: You'll not break your phone. Don't worry. Actually there's not too much changed on an iPhone once you start deploying.

So: Go ahead and have fun!

As to your other question: If you've installed other versions of the SDK on your desktop Xcode allows you to compile for different targets. So you can build for 2.1, 2.0 etc.

The SDK's are not generally backwards compatible. As far as I know apps build for version 2.1 will NOT work on iPhones which have not been upgraded. It DOES however work the other way around: Apps build for 2.0 DO work on a 2.1 iPhone. (I can confirm this. All my apps are working fine after the upgrade.)

Let us know about your experience once you've deployed to your device!

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