Category: Utilities
Released: Jul 21, 2008
Price: Free

Description:
Ad Hoc Helper lets you email a copy of your device's UDID (unique device identifier) to developers so they can add you to their Ad Hoc distribution profiles. This allows them to create a special version of their apps that can be run on your iPhone outside of the normal AppStore channels. Ad Hoc distribution is perfect for Beta testing as well as for small in-house projects with an limited distribution group, of up to 100 iPhones and/or iPod touches. To run, just tap the icon. A message immediately opens in your Mail application with your UDID information. Address it to the developer in question and send it on its way.

Get it on iTunes: Ad Hoc Helper (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=285691333&mt=8) (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=285691333&mt=8)

that kinda sounds dumb sorry

that kinda sounds dumb sorry

How is it stupid? We can send apps that we create to each other. And they'll RUN.

At least that is what I think.

if i understood it.........it would be cool.

this sounds really awesome.

So could this be a potential go-around for apps that don't fit in the app store rules?

SURE!!!! wwowowo!!!

I just used this a while to test one of Erica Sadun's unreleased apps, and it worked great. Essentially what this does is it sends your UDID to the address of your choice (in my case, Erica's email address). From there, the developer can authorize their unreleased app to be run on your device. It's a bit difficult to explain, but it makes the beta testing stage of app development way easier for developers who need someone to test their app (and need the UDID of their testers to do so).

EDIT: And yes, this could be used to distribute apps that aren't accepted into the AppStore. The issue is that you can only distribute your app to 100 different devices, so it wouldn't be practical to use this for large-scale distribution. But, you can test apps that wouldn't be accepted normally, which is pretty fun.

I just used this a while to test one of Erica Sadun's unreleased apps, and it worked great. Essentially what this does is it sends your UDID to the address of your choice (in my case, Erica's email address). From there, the developer can authorize their unreleased app to be run on your device. It's a bit difficult to explain, but it makes the beta testing stage of app development way easier for developers who need someone to test their app (and need the UDID of their testers to do so).

EDIT: And yes, this could be used to distribute apps that aren't accepted into the AppStore. The issue is that you can only distribute your app to 100 different devices, so it wouldn't be practical to use this for large-scale distribution. But, you can test apps that wouldn't be accepted normally, which is pretty fun.
Wait, how do you get the app onto your device? I'm lost.

Well, the developer will send you two files. The .ipa, and another file that specifies exactly which devices (by UDID) can run that .ipa file. You drag both of them into iTunes, and sync your device, and it'll work just fine. Ad Hoc Helper just finds your UDID and allows you to send it to a developer in an email. You have to get the actual application (and the other file) from the developer in a different way.

Gotcha.
How did you beta test for Erica?

Good things happen when you're on IRC. Specifically #iphone on irc.osx86.hu. Haha. Nah, pretty much we just talk from time to time on IRC, and she wanted to see what I thought of one of her latest apps (which is awesome, by the way). I don't think it will be allowed in the AppStore, though.

Edit: You can't really sign up to test for her though, you pretty much just have to talk with her and get lucky.

Put a good word in for me, ok?
:D

Put a good word in for me, ok?
:D

COUGHandmeCOUGH.

App's useless unless you know any developers :(

well this forum has like 200,000 sign up members, im sure some of them have to be devs ;)

This is a really useful app for people who want to be beta testers. Basically if you want to beta test an app, you have to send the developer your UDID, which is a long hex variable that you'd probably have to manually copy out from itunes. You can find your UDID in iTunes by clicking on "Serial Number".
This app allows you to email it straight to the developer from your device so they can provision your device to run their app. We actually might be looking for some beta testers in the near future, so look out ;)