I understand your pain Drew, but you have to keep in mind - we're all geeks. :)

Most people are still getting iPhones and adapting to the idea of an AppStore. By the time it starts getting into the mainstream (cough *christmas* cough) the masses will be waiting. It is like you were at the launch of of iTunes and had to wait six months, and were yelling "Screw this!". I'd say that is a bit shortsighted.

The truth is Apple isn't doing this to be a jerk, they're testing a very unproven model. If it fails at 4,000 users they can adjust it appropriately for everyone.

But instead of getting pissed about this here, just promote your game. I'm used to waiting years for good game software, so build some hype and I'll be dying to give you my ten bucks.

I'm steamed too, I could easily have been ready for opening day if they had let me in. I'm at a total loss as to why they didn't let me in. And yes, it is going to cost me money.

But all will be forgotten in a month or so when I'm in. When you pull back and look at the amazing OS, dev system, and store system they have going, developers can see this is going to be big time and long term. This OS is not just for a little phone. I see a very, very big future here, and more devices coming.

* Re-apply!! *

I originally signed-up for the iPhone developer program when it was first announced (Feb or Mar, I think). I was never 'accepted'.

Shortly after WWDC08 (June 2008), I decided to try re-applying (using different .mac account name, different address, etc). I was 'accepted' (they took my $99) within about a week.

I haven't finished writing any apps yet, so I don't know how long it'll take to get an application 'approved' for the app store, but at least I'm allowed to submit an app now.

I suggest that if you don't want to wait, try to re-apply. It can't hurt (IMO).

- Paulb

Your replies to Drew make sense, but what's really annoying is not so much the waiting list, but the apparent whimsical nature of the acceptances. Why are new applicants getting accepted now when us early applicants are not? I don't really want to come up with a new email address just to sign up - I want to use the address I actually use, which is now apparently stuck in iPhone-limbo.

Um, they aren't doing that here though. You can build any apps you want without being malicious or porn. And you can be free (as in beer).

Unlike Android you will have a built in way to make money out of the box. With a store, a nice profit margin, and a user base you will be in a great market.

With Android you will have a download page and mostly hackers having fun. How many of your non-tech friends go to the Google codebase?

One model respects the hacker, the other respects how the market actually works giving buyer and seller unique advantages.

For all that I find some of the App Store restrictions annoying on first glance, I've also had such horrible experiences with third-party software on Windows Mobile smartphones that I'm a bit torn.

In retrospect, given some of the bad experiences I had (or how much some of the software mucked up my phone), I would have loved a store on my HTC Wallaby, Blueangel or Wizard where I could go, know that the apps had been vetted and weren't going to cause everything else to break or uber-drain my battery. I would have spent a great deal less time uninstalling software (or completely reinstalling the OS to get rid of last little dregs!) and wasted a lot less money on apps that proved to be completely useless. (The number of Today screen plugins I went through trying to find the ideal calendar-display one was depressing. One of them cut my battery life by a full third. Just to display the calendar on the main screen!) Moreover, installing the apps could be a pain; I had a friend who got a T-Mobile Dash and then ended up needing my help to get all their software set up. A nice icon you tap that just gives you a place to shop? Could be a vast improvement.

So I'm torn. The developer in me goes, 'Man, these restrictions bother me! Grmph! Apple should make this more open!' But then the smartphone user in me goes, 'Wait... this actually means I have some degree of quality assurance going into this stuff! I can shop with more confidence this time! And I won't have to help others get software onto their phone!'

So I'm going to sit and wait a bit on this, and see what comes of it before crying foul too loudly, I think.

Battlestar Galactica = Please don't associate nerds and my TUAW.

I ended up creating a different .mac ID so I could re-apply. I also used a different email address, physical address, etc. As I said (above), my second application was 'approved' within about 1 week.

It really does sound like many of the people who signed-up immediately after the program was announced (as I did) have had their applications 'lost' or 'back-burnered', where newer applications are making it. I'm guessing that not *all* new applications are making it, but you get another chance at the 'lottery' by re-applying.

- Paulb

I ended up creating a different .mac ID so I could re-apply. I also used a different email address, physical address, etc. As I said (above), my second application was 'approved' within about 1 week.

It really does sound like many of the people who signed-up immediately after the program was announced (as I did) have had their applications 'lost' or 'back-burnered', where newer applications are making it. I'm guessing that not *all* new applications are making it, but you get another chance at the 'lottery' by re-applying.

(third time's a charm?? what's up with the comment system here? sorry if this ends up getting posted multiple times - I'm re-submitting because I never got the confirmation email)

- Paulb

Well golly.... I still think your post is irresponsible regardless of your "second paragraph" which I did read.

Your time estimate is complete and utter speculation no matter how clever a response you come back with...

You checked with your sources? Where did they get the info?