Originally Posted by
Snakespeare
As an Apple user, and one who struggled with the whole business around the release of SL, I could talk for hours on this topic. My wife has heard it all, believe me.
I do not feel that a global open beta for any and all Android users is right, or fair. I was insulted by the very idea that thousands of Android users were simply downloading and playing the beta and giving no feedback whatsoever. Meanwhile, one or two beta testers who hate everything Apple would come to the chatbox and taunt us.
But there were good testers! I think testing should be exclusive to people who actually help.
It has to be Android, of course. Apple will not allow it.
Beta testers should be chosen based on their proven commitment to providing feedback. They should have to fill out applications. They should be experienced players. Their applications should be compared with the quality of feedback they have already provided. People who throw tantrums, for instance, are not beta testers. If chosen, they should be given a list of questions to answer.
Then, after release, they should get beta vanities.
I understand that we Apple users sacrifice some things to have our walled garden. We made this choice. My iPhone, my iPad, my iMac, my iBooks have never, ever been attacked, and I have been a Mac user since 1984. I do page layout for a living. I choose Mac for many, many reasons. I do not want an Android phone. I want simple things. My life is already too complex.
But Apple did let us down big time for the SL release. I sent them two letters. See, because I work in localization/translation I am in the Apple Developer's Group. So I sent emails to the address they provide to developers asking what was the holdup. I pointed out that STS has been an iPhone developer longer than most other companies (i.e. Shotgun Granny). I got a reply from a person with a ticket number. Well the next day they contacted STS and said it was because of the shared plat. Awesome. Not sure it was my email, but at least there was movement. Two, maybe three weeks later, still no release!!! So I sent a reply to my ticket, using the ticket number, and told them that the Android people were lording it over us and rubbing our noses in it. I even said I was so disappointed I actually started arguing with The Macalope in my head! (Argue with The Horny One! Inconceivable!) I invited them to come read the messages on our message board, and see how Android users were behaving. Next day it came out. Was it me? Did I somehow say the right thing? I'll never know.
The lesson is, we do pay a high price for our higher security. One of those prices is the app approval process. I have so many other reasons to stick with Mac. A video game's availability is not going to be the deciding factor for me.
Anyway, Apple people like me, we should not expect a quick process. We should expect it to take for-bleepin'-ever.
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