App Store Updates!

Our app store team has been hard at work, and recently completed some updates to the Connect IQ store you may have noticed. I'll highlight a couple of particularly juicy ones:

We fixed the bug preventing developers from testing pending apps, particularly those that use app settings. This should eliminate the need for developers to submit "beta" or "test" apps for approval just to verify app settings functionality. There is still a general issue with pending apps failing to sync in GCM/GE, which the store team knows about and is getting fixed.
This release also also adds a 'Contact Developer' link that will allow users to email developers for support. Hopefully this will cut down on customers attempting to use the review system or flagging apps as inappropriate as a means to ask for help. I know some of you include special contact instructions in your app descriptions, so you may want to point out this new feature in your app description as another option. :)

Nikeow over 9 years ago

Is there a way to PULL the pending apps if it didn't pan out?

Also what about updates of existing apps? What if we want to test those? Currently it just goes to a released state.

ruperthawkes over 9 years ago

Thats great news. Thanks!

When / hos can we use the test app functionality as I need to do it to test 1.24?

Brandon.ConnectIQ over 9 years ago

Is there a way to PULL the pending apps if it didn't pan out?

Also what about updates of existing apps? What if we want to test those? Currently it just goes to a released state.

Developers can remove apps at will whether they've been approved or still pending. We can also remove apps, but will typically only do so if an app is deemed inappropriate or we receive a DMCA takedown request.

Testing existing apps is a problem that requires a different solution--the ability for app developers to submit beta versions of apps (effectively allowing for more than one version of a given app, plus some other tools). This is a feature that is planned. I've asked for the beta app feature to give developers control over who has access to their beta versions, the idea being that you could post a beta version that would not replace the existing, live version, and would be accessible only to those to whom you choose to give access. I don't know when this feature will be available.