TallJames
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07/14/12 08:58 AM (13 years ago)

Don't have a mac - what are my options

I am building an app that I want to sell for iOS and android. I am working on a PC. Outside of buying a Mac computer is there any way for me to build my app for iOS? For instance can I build the core of the app with Buzztouch and then use a 3rd party software or web service take it to the next step. Thanks.
 
XboxMods
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07/14/12 09:13 AM (13 years ago)
You could run mac on a virtual machine.
 
TallJames
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07/14/12 09:26 AM (13 years ago)
Thanks Raoul. How do I do that? What are the costs involved?
 
XboxMods
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07/14/12 09:32 AM (13 years ago)
Take a look at this:(Not My Video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kPXrPy4OBg&feature=related It is Free. Let me know if you need more help.
 
ATRAIN53
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07/14/12 10:22 AM (13 years ago)
It's tough to do app installs on devices with virtual machines. Certificates, profiles, etc... (curious: Has anyone here actually done this and submitted an app?) Lots of folks go mac mini to start. A used mac book air would be perfect too to develop anywhere. If you are a hardware geek you can build a hackintosh (that's what i use. google tonymac) keep this in mind: you can build ios and android apps on mac eclipse seems to run better on OSX too oddly. but you can't build ios on any other platform than a mac/osx/ios.
 
mrDavid
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07/14/12 10:51 AM (13 years ago)
Emulators, Virtual machines, all possible, but buggy and slow a lot of the time. Go on craigslist, get a mac mini ;) Cheers, David buzztouchmods.com
 
GoNorthWest
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07/14/12 04:34 PM (13 years ago)
I'd stay away from using a virtual machine. It's a violation of the Apple Terms of Service to use anything other than an Apple branded machine with Xcode to compile your apps. Breaking their rules is not the best way to start your relationship with them! Check this out for more info: http://www.buzztouch.com/resources/Things_You_Need_Before_You_Start_Developing_Apps_v1.0.pdf Mark
 
TallJames
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07/14/12 08:57 PM (13 years ago)
Thanks guys! I found a slightly used mac for $100. A perfect solution.
 
barryrodgers
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07/24/12 05:07 AM (13 years ago)
Maybe there is an opening for an enterprising Mac owner to put a gig on Fiverr to complile apps in Xcode from the source files for non-mac owners?
 
XboxMods
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07/24/12 05:27 AM (13 years ago)
@barryrodgers If you want, I can test the app for you when I am free, send me an email: [email protected]
 
barryrodgers
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07/24/12 05:51 AM (13 years ago)
Thank you, Roaul!
 
mrDavid
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07/24/12 07:57 AM (13 years ago)
@TallJames That's how I started! David buzztouchmods.com
 
ANDROIDminiLAB
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08/05/12 03:21 PM (13 years ago)
Im sorry to learn that I neeeed a Mac computer to make Apple Apps, well I know I could also make Android App on the Mac, but my problem is that I dont own or have access to a Mac ... therefore Id like to ask what kind of equipment you use? I could use a Mac Mini MrDavid tells - I can buy this from $~1000 here: Intel® Core™ i5 processor/2.3 Intel® HD Graphics 3000 2GB RAM & 500GB HDD Intel® Core™ i5 processor/2.5GHZ AMD Radeon™ HD 6630M with 256MB RAM 4GB RAM & 500GB HDD I know more RAM is better, though I like to keep things simple ... and I understood from this 'BTU' I need a $99 a year License to publish on iTunes and to use on my iOS device (I dont have some) - even to test it?? Regards and a happy weekend Jan ANDROID mini LAB
 
GoNorthWest
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08/05/12 03:41 PM (13 years ago)
I wouldn't spend $1000 on a Mac mini for this. You should be able to get an older one on Craigslist for around $200. It would have a 50Gb HD and 2Gb memory...that's what I use (though I added an extra 2Gb memory). All you need to remember is that it has to be an Intel-based version of Apple hardware, otherwise Xcode won't install. I would recommend staying away from anything that isn't an official Apple hardware product. Doing so violates their Terms of Service for Xcode. And you do need the $99/yr membership to the Apple Developer program in order to publish to iTunes and to test on a real device. Finally....you can do Android development on a Mac, so you get two for one! Mark
 
ANDROIDminiLAB
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08/05/12 04:32 PM (13 years ago)
2-in-1 ;) Thanks Mark! Jan
 
barryrodgers
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08/06/12 12:28 AM (13 years ago)
I decided not to bother making an Apple version of my first app. In typical fashion, Apple just make things more difficult and expensive than they need to be, IMO, with this protectionist aloof attitude it seems to project. It seems that the number of Android users will dwarf iOS users as time passes. There are already budget Android devices bringing the smartphone technology to masses of people who were either unable or unwilling to pay what Apple expects for an iPhone. So, do you really need Apple? Is it worth the hassle? For me, not.
 
GoNorthWest
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08/06/12 12:36 AM (13 years ago)
It's a tough call for sure. I prefer developing for iOS simply because I feel the interface is more refined than with Android. And then there's the literally 1000's of devices that my Android app is compatible with that I would theoretically need to test with. I read an article about one company that literally tests with 400+ devices. That's just plain crazy. Even more disconcerting for me is that Android users appear to tend to want most everything for free, which obviously decreases the potential revenue opportunities. This is a common theme brought up in this forum, and I believe fairly well supported by research. So, it's more difficult to make money selling an app in the Android market than it is with iOS. Lots of people in this forum have made good money with ads, though, so it's hard to say. Either way...app development is both fun and challenging, no matter which platform you choose! Mark
 
barryrodgers
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08/06/12 01:04 AM (13 years ago)
Mark, Although this thread is not the place for the question but since you mentioned it, how do I monetise my Android app with ads in Buzztouch?
 

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