Apple Introduces Mac Developer Program

[clinton1550]

Apple has introduced the Mac Developer Program, a US $99 a year program that will replace the existing (and significantly more expensive) Apple Developer Connection. The new program was inspired by the success of the iPhone program, Apple is hoping to lure more developers to the Mac platform by lowering the barrier to entry to US $99 down from US $499 and US $3499 for the Select and Premier accounts respectively.

The new MDP includes access to pre-release software, Development videos from iTunes, access to the Apple Developer Forums, and Technical Support.

I'm thinking of signing up for MDP, 99 USD is pretty damn good and I would love to do some beta testing for Apple (of course everything would be under NDA).

So what do you think? Are you excited by the prospect of new Mac developers? Do you want some pre-release goodness? You can check out the MDP Apple's site.

[MichaelQ]

Vague recollection of ADC members getting access to cheap Macs "for testing".

This still count in the new ADP ?

[clinton1550]

I think the hardware discounts are no longer available with MDP, not sure about Apple's testing Macs.

[pmoeser]

Makes me wish I'd listened more in Uni...

Might download the latest iPhone dev kit to see what I can do with what I do remember

[pmoeser]

It seems you can still download the iPhone dev software for free but you need to sign up to get the latest version with iPad support.

Although, I did sign up for the free one ages ago, I just don't have time to try and remember how to make that cool Hello World! app

[MichaelQ]

I think you need to be a paid $99 member to get the simulator version. Bit useless at the moment without it.

[clinton1550]

And you definitely need the paid version to use your apps on your own iPhone.

[MichaelQ]

Maybe thats what it is.

Can't remember - wasn't using my account due to lack of development time so let it slip for now.

[clinton1550]

I've signed up and paid for the Mac Developer Program. Not sure how much I can tell you about it, I should read through the NDAs and EULAs. But I'll report back with what I can report back later on.