The simple fact is that Apple has made is so easy to develop and distribute applications via the App Store that it leaves developers wondering how they ever did it before.
Here’s how you did it before: From your website, the user can download your application. For a fee, the user can acquire a license key, or license file which they are given instructions how to install.
Here’s how you COULD do it: Develop your app, using published or unpublished APIs within iPhone OS. Build your file. Compile your .ipa, upload it to your website so that it can be downloaded by users, charge users a licensing fee for one year (length of your $99 dev subscription) at the same time you get their UDID. They received their .mobileprovision file unique to their device. Tell them how to install it, etc.
Done. You’ve created your own app store whereby you don’t split money 70-30 with anyone, but which will CERTAINLY be busted at some point by Apple - likely by not renewing your dev license.
Right?
And for those trying to make a case for their apps on the iPhone *cough* ADOBE *cough* - you can use this as a proof of concept and spread your videos and demos to the far reaches of the blog-o-drome to prove your perfect implementation. The creates a groundswell of support and rings as a true counterpoint to anyone’s Thoughts which may preach the opposite.
