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We have always known that getting involved in app development can be a long drawn-out process that consumes time and money. Recently, I have been asked to join the Astek development team in our Apple account which has prompted this blog post.
I will begin by comparing the Google App Development application process to the same process by Apple.
First, let’s have a look at costs. I really do not want to buy into development by paying fees and memberships (and sometimes laptops), since development by itself consumes enough resources on its own. To get into Google App development, you need to download an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) which will allow you to write the code. The Android SDK is available free on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Also, you may need to install Eclipse, which will let you write the code, which again, is free on all platforms. Then, you must apply for a developer account that costs $25, which is given to you as soon as you have paid.
On the other hand, Apple’s requirements are stricter. To begin development, you must work on a Mac. Apple does not provide the right to develop the code without XCode, Apple’s development IDE. XCode can only be installed on a Mac. If you have a Mac and have developed your app, you will then need to apply for the developer account. The account costs $100, a 400% difference compared to the Google application. Then, if you happen to be writing the app for a company, then you will have to go through a thorough background check to verify that the company you are registering actually exists. This second step in the application process is required, and if you have unknowingly taken a misdirection during your application process, you will not only get stalled for up to 14 days, you may receive a rejection letter like the one I got:
Hello Aaron,
Thank you for your recent enrollment submission into an Apple Developer Program.
In reviewing this enrollment, I noticed that the company Astek Consulting LLC already holds a program enrollment.
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept multiple program enrollments for a single company, so I need to cancel this enrollment with the ID KG875CF8ZZ.
If you still wish to participate in the Apple Developer Programs, I encourage you to ask around your company to find the current Team Agent and discuss your project with them.
If you would like us to provide your information to the current Team Agent, please reply directly to this email with the following:
Name:
Phone:
Email:
Best time to contact you:
Although we can assure the information will be sent, we cannot guarantee the Team Agent will contact you.
If you feel this has been done in error, please let us know.
Aaron, if you have further questions please call us at 1-800-633-2152.
We are available Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm Central Standard Time.
When you speak with an Advisor, please reference request id number: 264049950
We look forward to helping you.
Thank you for your participation in our programs. We appreciate your business.
Regards,
Gabriela
Apple Developer Program Support
At the time I received my rejection, most staff members were out of the office, and also a former team lead who may have been associated with the account had left the company. A situation like this can lead you to get stranded quickly. I dialed the 800 number listed in the email, and then spoke with an Apple staff member who actually told me they could not help me. After I griped about the inconvenience, they quickly forwarded me to management staff who then proceeded to ask details about leadership staff in the company. Since I was unaware of the original account creator, I didn’t know who I should supply as they account owner. The Apple employee then asked me to provide the phone numbers of each probable staff member so they could call them and ask if I had permission to join the Astek account.
I provided the numbers, and miraculously the appropriate staff member answered the 800 number call they received and supplied the required information. Now, not only was this frustrating, time consuming, and unhelpful, but the Apple staff then proceeded to admit to me that they indeed already knew who the required Astek staff member was ahead of time but still required me to supply the information. What is the purpose of this?
If you’ve made it this far in the post and you are wondering if I’m ranting, I might just be. I want you to take a moment and think about the experience compared to Google’s, is it really a better process? If you want to get started developing apps, you may take this as a warning that getting off the ground is quite an endeavor.
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