Blackberry WebWorks + Ripple, whats the easiest way to distribute app? - blackberry

Currently I use Ripple "Package and Sign" option, and then use Blackberry Desktop Manager (with my blackberry connected to PC via USB) to import then apply the app. What annoys me is the whole process takes min 10mins sometimes 30mins all up.
I try to skip the "Sign" option, ie use "Package" only but when running the app from the device it gives me this error: "Error starting X: Module 'X' attempts to access a secure API".
Questions:
How are you installing the app on blackberry during Dev/Test?
How are you distributing the app for PROD release?
I have heard we can distribute via Wi-Fi or just sending someone a link to download the app, but cant really find much info on it. Any help?

You have to sign Webworks apps that you intend to use on the phone. Test as much as you can in the simulator, since it has the fastest turn around time between compiling and running the application.
Appworld is probably going to be your easiest distribution method if you intend on having users buy your app.
If you want to use the internet/WiFi option, you'll need to have a webserver/site you can upload all the *.cod and *.jad files that are built when you package the app. Then point the people downloading the app to the .jad file and their phone will try to install it for them.

Related

Accessing an Application from a Web Browser for Android and iOS

First and foremost, I am not the developer behind this application, however I am looking for a solution to this problem as I work at the company that runs the application and I've been tasked to do so. This is not a focused code-line question, but more so an application question.
Background: The application is an educational tool that simulates a physical science laboratory that is programmed using Flash. It is accessed from a Learning Management System (LMS) web browser - i.e. Blackboard, Canvas, etc. - through a link to the object. There are multiple simulated labs that are each their own object.
The main problem: The simulators/labs are able to be accessed on an Android device (phones & tablets) by prompting a download of a .apk file once the link is clicked on that device where they will have a menu that localizes all the simulators. This is to centralize all the simulators into one menu app. Now, when you attempt this process on an iOS device, it's obviously incompatible (.apk vs .ipa). We can create a runnable .ipa file for each individual simulator, but this is not efficient at all when attempting to execute on a mass scale (think district-wide access).
What I want to find out is the most efficient way to adapt the application for iOS since it utilizes Flash. The same process would be desired (click the link and it prompts a download of the menu app that holds the sims/labs).
Thanks in advance.
You need to enrol for apple developer program to distribute builds. Normal subscription consider distribution thought App Store, and it seems not your case. There is Enterprise subscription - it allows to create .ipa, that can be installed on any device, but distributed locally (Ad-Hoc). While assembling Ad-Hoc build in latest Xcode you can select opportunity to create distribution manifest as well (Xcode will provide description how to use it). Then you can upload manifest and iPad file to you file server, and share link to manifest with you user. Opening manifest on iDevice will launch installation of application.

Install ipa from my server in a jailbroken device with out user interaction

I need to install my application(.ipa) in a jailbroken device with out user interaction.
This installation has to be triggered by an other application which is already installed in that device.
My .ipa is in a sever, So is it possible to install through itms:// or is there any jailbroken alternative available
I want to install this app silently (with out MDM), there should not be "Install" "Cancel" alert popping for the user to select.
Let me know if there is a possibility of achieving this through %hook.
Solution to my above question
Each step below has literally 100 more steps internally. If you are not familiarized with jailbroken apps/tools development, this is going to be a nightmare. Sorry, I cannot share code since I did it for a client. but stack overflow has answers for how to do the various components i mentioned below separately. once you do a little POC on separate components, my answer will help you to put them together.
This will work only in jailbroken devices and cracked ipa files
Create a daemon application.
make sure it runs 24/7 in background.
To trigger installation from server, add socket.io(or any other
similar framework) to the app (since daemon app is running always,
make sure the socket connection to the server is also always alive)
Send the URL of zipped ipa file to daemon app via socket.io server.
In the daemon app, unzip the .zip to .ipa
once it is unzipped there are two ways you can install the app.
easy way is to unzip .ipa further to .app and move .app folder to the
applications folder in iPhone.
There is a private springboard api, which takes ipa file path as
input and installs it
If you cannot crack the ipa
This is way more complex than above :) you have to run a code which opens AppStore, Search for the application and install it.
same as above upto step 3
Manually(for POC) record the coordinates of all the button clicks inside AppStore required to install any app in general. like click on search tab at the bottom, select the search bar, insert text in search bar, click on search button, click get/install button from result....
create a dynamic library which takes those coordinates as an input and do a uiautomation. inject this dynamic library into AppStore.
from the server, send this coordinates to your daemon application, which will pass on this coordinates to dynamic library and open AppStore from background.
once AppStore is opened, beauty of dynamic library is, it will kick in automatically and start you ui automation.

What files to send to my iOS dev to receive a testable app back?

I hired a developer. He made app. I want to test it.
What I have:
Apple developer account - single - I never could figure out that
company international ID thingy.
Only I can access the account (am willing to give access if that is
only way)
I have OsX 10.6.2 snow lep running on Virtual Box all good
XCode 3.2.something (its older, updating requires new kernel and has
been problematic)
(I can utilize the apple dev provisioning wizard on dev.app.com to
obtain certs and files)
I have an apple certificate file downloaded to my computer that I
made under the provisioning thingy on dev.app.com
iPod Touch 4g (Jailbroken) if needed. (unknown if I can access it
via virtual box)
What I want to do...
Send whatever files to my ios developer so he can create a single file to email back to me. I take said file and install it on my iPod Touch, on my windows computer.
What do I need to send him so the developer can make this happen? Further what do I need to tell him to do. This part may seem odd as why would "I" not knowing how to build an iOS app be telling the dev how to do it. I have requested him to make this all happen before and there is a language barrier.
What I do not want to have to do:
Use the mac anymore (please tell me this is possible.)
(said in another way) I would like to Test apps by putting them on my ipod Touch (using itunes or safari and dev account is ok) BUT I want to be using windows.
Can this be done? I code Android. I do not know Xcode and dealing with builds from Xcode 4.6 then trying to open project in Xcode 3.X not knowing if there are project errors etc. and well...learning xcode jsut doesn't make sense...I mean then why hire a dev? yeah yeah cause he knows C++ I got that part.
Anyway, sorry for the 'flavor' parts of this message I just want to make a message that will sum up the "world of it all" for any future travelers trying to do the same thing.
Summary - I want to test apps on Ipod Touch (or whatever iOS device) using windows to install them to the device. Able and willing to use Mac to create needed files (certs. keychain files etc.) can use Mac for all building aspects.
Please advise and thank you very much programming gawds in advance.
Use the mac anymore (please tell me this is possible.)
2 .(said in
another way) I would like to Test apps by putting them on my ipod
Touch (using itunes or safari and dev account is ok) BUT I want to be
using windows.
It is possible. However, you may not understand the following steps because those should be done by iOS developer.
Step1. Your developer should archive it (In xcode, press Product, then Archive).
Step2. Open Organizer in xcode (top right corner), click the "Archives" page
Step3. Select the app you just built. Then click "Distribute" button and select "Save for enterprise or Ad-Hoc Deployment"
Step4. You will get xxx.ipa. You can drag this file in WINDOWS iTune and sync to your iPod.
Note: Your iPod should mark for "use for development" with valid provision.

Does BlackBerry support demo/beta releases for its app developers?

I am interested in developing an app for BlackBerry devices, and was wondering if they support the concept of demo or beta releases for their app developers? By this, I mean the ability to deploy a beta or demo version of my app to a limited/restricted audience, such as business partners, customers, external beta testers, etc. Nothing in their Testing and Deployment documentation indicates either way. Thanks in advance!
There isn't a built in beta process in App World for BlackBerry 10, but you can share the debug version of your app with your beta participants. When you create a debug token, you specify which PINs you want it to be valid for. The debug token will only install on a device with one of those PINs, and your app will only install on a device with your debug token on it. The token will only be valid for 30 days. You would have to deploy it with the command line tools and not App World.
This link on the BlackBerry Developer blog explains how to do it: http://devblog.blackberry.com/2012/04/debug-token/
It's for PlayBook, but the same process applies for BlackBerry 10 as well.
I actually don't know if RIM themselves have anything formal, but since I've always released BlackBerry apps on more than just the official App World store, I've used a beta testing system that is independent of RIM. Luckily, the legacy BlackBerry Java platform gives you the freedom to do this, free of charge. (Note that this answer is not about the upcoming BB10 platform!)
Over-the-Air (OTA) Installation
You can have your beta testers install your beta versions, Over-The-Air (OTA). Unlike iOS, for example, you aren't limited to a certain number of test devices, and you don't have to tell RIM what the unique identifiers of all the test devices are.
So, what I do is just put beta versions of my apps on a webserver, and send links to beta testers that allows them to download them. So, you are in control of who gets access. If you need security to limit the beta version to nobody except the official beta testers, then you are certainly free to add password protected logins to your webserver. That works the same way it would for any other secure web content.
If you do this (OTA), here are a few references:
http://www.blackberryinsight.com/2008/07/08/howto-setup-an-apache-webserver-to-deliver-blackberry-ota-applications/
Blackberry over the air installation
https://stackoverflow.com/a/10307074/119114
There are a couple steps to be aware of:
You normally just upload a .cod file to BlackBerry App World. If you want to deploy an app to your own webserver, you also need the .jad file. A JAD file is basically just a descriptor of the app, that can redirect a BlackBerry browser to the .cod file for installation. Your build process is already probably generating the .jad file for you, in the same output directory where it generates your .cod files.
You may need to configure your webserver to properly setup MIME types for files with a .jad extension. If you use Apache, then this is what you would put in your httpd.conf file:
AddType text/vnd.sun.j2me.app-descriptor jad
you may also need to add a MIME type definition for the .cod type, too
AddType application/vnd.rim.cod .cod
If you don't have access to the web server's httpd.conf file, but can place the JAD and COD in your own user directory, then you can configure the MIME types in a local .htaccess file.
Depending on your web server configuration, there may be a couple more steps necessary. Check the OTA links I provided above.
Desktop Installation
Another option is to simply email your beta versions to beta testers, and have them install on their devices using BlackBerry Desktop Software. I don't do this, but it is another way to accomplish the same thing. For this, you use the .cod file, and also the .alx file, which is also generated by the normal BlackBerry build process.
Note that some of the project properties that get put into the .alx or .jad files are things that you don't need to worry about if you only deploy the .cod file directly to BlackBerry App World. If you use one of the options (ALX for Desktop installation, or JAD for OTA), then I would recommend opening up the .alx or .jad file and just inspecting the values for correctness. They're normal text files, and most of the values should be self-explanatory. I believe all settings can be configured from inside your IDE. If you use the BlackBerry Eclipse plugin, right click on your project, select Properties and look around there.
Here are the official RIM docs on all your installation options
its not possible. When you publish your app in app world, it will be available to all users. So you cant set any special conditions like- available only to some people. Else make it in un published mode. Then only users with sandbox id can access your app.
Check the below link for BB 10 Cascades beta 3 release(Preferrable way of development in BB 10)
https://developer.blackberry.com/cascades/
For BB 10,they are plenty of ways for developing the applications ,check the below link
https://developer.blackberry.com/platforms/

PhoneGap Build - BlackBerry link doesn't work

I'm new to mobile development and I've compiled my app through the online PhoneGap Build.
It returns me the links to download all the apps, but the BlackBerry
link doesn't work properly, even if phonegap doesn't return me
any sort of error.
The link is only a single jad file. There are no .jar or .cod files,
and if I try to install it on a blackberry, I can't.
What am I doing wrong?
I don't know much about BlackBerry apps, so maybe I miss something.
Thanks in advance
on your desktop computer, go to https://build.phonegap.com/apps, and click the name of your app (not the d/l links)
it will show a list of qr codes, one for each platform
on your blackberry, open App World, menu, scan a barcode, then scan the qr code and it will download it like a normal app
That same issue would occasionally happen to me as well. I resolved it each time by deleting the app in PhoneGap Build and then resubmitting it and then waiting for the build notification to be shown instead of continually hitting refresh in the browser. It's not scientific but it's what resolved the issue the last 2 times for myself.

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