What do you mean "Pre-Release" Software?
We will be delighted to have you help us test our new applications or updates to our existing applications. You will need your own iPhone (with active cellular service) or iPod touch. Most of our software will run on iPhone OS 2.2.1 or after. Acceptable devices are:
- iPhone (first generation), with iPhone OS 2.2.1 or later
- iPhone 3G, with iPhone OS 2.2.1 or later
- iPhone 3G S, with iPhone OS 3.0 or later
- iPod touch (first generation), with iPhone OS 2.2.1 or later
- iPod touch (second generation), with iPhone OS 2.2.1 or later
Pre-Release Software, a.k.a. "beta" software, is application software that has completed our internal testing under controlled "lab" environment and we have decided that it is ready for real-life field testing on user devices. Pre-Release Software is provided to our users at no cost to the user (other than providing your own equipment and standard data and phone charges) but without any warranty that it will work or that it will not break other things on your test device. The benefit to you is that you have an advanced view into a new product or updates to an existing product. Some of the products you may be testing are "paid" applications that will be released to Apple App Store for sale. You may continue to use the Pre-Release version after the test period is over.
Step 1: Device Unique Identifier (UDID)
Apple has a strict policy on the distribution of pre-released iPhone (including iPod touch) software. Before we can send you a copy of our pre-release software we need to obtain a Device Unique Identifier (UDID) for the device you intend to test the pre-release software.
The simpliest way to send us your UDID is directly from your device (iPhone or iPod touch). Please go to App Store from your iPhone or iPod touch and download the Ad Hoc Helper application by Erica Sadun. It's a free application. If you are on your iPhone or iPod touch, launch App Store, then Search for "ad hoc". It is usually in the top several results.
Once you have installed the Ad Hoc Helper application on your iPhone or iPod touch, just tap on it to run it. It brings up a Mail Composer form with the subject and body pre-filled with the Unique Device Identifier (UDID) for the device. Do not change the body of this email message. You fill in the "To" line of the mail message with the address udid@handyruckus.com. Tap on "Send" to send the UDID to us. That's it!
You should receive a email from us after you submitted your UDID via email. Our response will usually include an estimate of when you will receive the Pre-Release Application and continue with Step 2. If we have further questions, we will contact you via email.
Step 2: Installing Pre-Release Application via iTunes
In order to install Pre-Release Applications on your iPhone or iPod touch, you will need to connect your device to iTunes application either on your Windows PC or your Macintosh. Make sure that you are running the latest version of iTunes (version 8.2 at this time). To check the version of iTunes you are running, check the About box from iTunes. If you are not running the latest version iTunes, you will need to upgrade before you can participate in our Pre-Release Program.
What You Will Receive
You will receive via email three files:
#1 Mobile Application Provisioning Profile: This is the security mumbo-jumbo you need to install on your iPhone or iPod touch. The file is usually named something like Ad_Hoc_HandyRuckus_Profile.mobileprovision.
#2a Pre-Release Application for Windows XP and Mac OS X: This comes in a file named AppName.zip. It is a compressed package for installation on iTunes running on Windows XP or Mac OS X.
#2b Pre-Release Application for Windows Vista: This comes in a file named Payload.ipa. Windows Vista has to do things a little bit differently.
You will need #1 if you have never installed any Handy Ruckus Pre-Release Applications before. You will need either #2a or #2b depending on the operating systems of the computer running iTunes.
What You Will Do
- Save the attachments from the email to a convenient location. If you are on Windows XP or Mac OS X, uncompress the AppName.zip file. This can be done by double clicking it (on Mac OS X) or right click and select Extract All... (on Windows XP). For Windows Vista users, you don't have to do anything with the Payload.ipa file.
- Drag-and-drop the .mobileprovision file from the email onto Library > Applications in iTunes. You will see the LIBRARY highlighted when you drag this file over Applications. Release mouse button when you are over "Applications".
- Windows XP and Mac OS X users, find the Pre-Release Application folder usually named AppName.app from the stuff you extracted in step 1. Drag-and drop this folder (or the Payload.ipa file for Windows Vista users) onto Library > Applications in iTunes. You will see that there is a new application in Library > Applications. The application will not show its normal iPhone application icon. This is normal behavior.
- In iTunes, select your iPhone or iPod touch under Devices and choose the Application tab. You should see the Pre-Release application listed. If you have chosen to synchronize only selected applications, make sure that the new Pre-Release application is checked. Now sync iTunes with your iPhone or iPod touch and try out the Pre-Release Application from Handy Ruckus.
If you run into problem installing our Pre-Release Application, please email us at info@handyruckus.com. Thank you for helping!