iPhone kiosk

Mon Aug 25 12:29:48 EDT 2014

Hi Richard,
I haven't used this in a production app (one submitted to the App Store), because as I understand it it violates the rules. But you mentioned a jailbroken device, so I don't see any technical reason why it wouldn't work.
Have you considered the App Store scheme they have for corporate distribution? I assume that it would give you an automated way to make updates, but I don't know the details. It might be easier then jailbreaking your devices.
I'll be working on a system soon that could use iPads in a way similar to what you are suggesting, and I'll have a similar need to make updates, so I'm curious to see how this thread pans out.
Cheers,
- Charles

On 25 Aug 2014, at 11:21 AM, Richard Miller <wow at together.net> wrote:

> Hi Charles,
> 
> About the update process, I didn't know one could use this approach with an iPhone. You are presumably talking about initially installing a small startup app (which doesn't change), which upon startup, either goes to a stack for the bulk of the apps functionality, or updates that stack first if a remote update has been posted. I have used this approach many times with a desktop app, but didn't know it could be used with an iOS device. Have you used this approach yourself?
> 
> Thanks for the info on iBackupbot.
> 
> Richard
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On 8/25/14, 11:04 AM, Charles E Buchwald wrote:
>> Hi Richard,
>> 
>> I've used iBackupbot for backups and restores when working with a few different iOS devices. http://www.icopybot.com/itunes-backup-manager.htm It's not very refined, but it's useful. You can use it to help with making clones by restoring as you suggest.
>> 
>> I think we all struggle with keeping apps up to date. If you are not using the App Store for updates, how about using the "splash stack" technique, and checking for updates on startup, like you might with a desktop app? If you have net access, you should be able to check for updates, download and replace the primary stack. I guess you'll want to keep any user data or preferences separate and stored in an appropriate place, as usual.
>> 
>> Cheers,
>> - Charles
>> 
>> On 25 Aug 2014, at 8:45 AM, Richard Miller <wow at together.net> wrote:
>> 
>>> Hoping someone here knows the answer to this. I realize it's an unusual situation.
>>> 
>>> I am setting up a jail-broken iPhone with a LC app. This phone will be set to boot directly into the LC app. The phone will only ever be used for this one purpose. Think of it as an iPhone kiosk. Users will not be able to access any functions on the phone outside of the app.
>>> 
>>> Once I have completed all the development work on the first phone, I want to clone this phone to other iPhones so that each is an exact copy. Is that possible? Can I create an iTunes backup of the first phone and then use that backup to "restore" it to new iPhones?
>>> 
>>> Second question is in regards to distributing and updating the app.
>>> 
>>> The app itself is not to be sold through the App Store. My business model is based on distributing these iPhones (with the app pre-installed). Again, the phone will never be used for any purpose outside of my app. The phone will not be used to make calls, but it does need to access the internet. Most importantly, my app needs to be kept updated. Is there some way to automatically update the app (even through a jail-broken means)? I imagine larger corporations have exclusive apps that are not distributed publicly and are kept updated. How does that work?
>>> 
>>> Thanks,
>>> Richard Miller
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> use-livecode mailing list
>>> use-livecode at lists.runrev.com
>>> Please visit this url to subscribe, unsubscribe and manage your subscription preferences:
>>> http://lists.runrev.com/mailman/listinfo/use-livecode
>> --
>> Charles E. Buchwald
>> CEO/Director General
>> Museografica Digital
>> http://digital.museografica.com
>> 
>> Mac OSX 10.9.4, LC 6.6.2 Commercial
>> 
>> LC Developer Tools: http://buchwald.ca/developer-tools/
>> 
>> Email Notice: http://wp.me/P3aT4d-33
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> use-livecode mailing list
>> use-livecode at lists.runrev.com
>> Please visit this url to subscribe, unsubscribe and manage your subscription preferences:
>> http://lists.runrev.com/mailman/listinfo/use-livecode
>> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> use-livecode mailing list
> use-livecode at lists.runrev.com
> Please visit this url to subscribe, unsubscribe and manage your subscription preferences:
> http://lists.runrev.com/mailman/listinfo/use-livecode

--
Charles E. Buchwald

CEO/Director General
Museografica Digital
Amsterdam 110, Condesa
CP 06100 México DF
office: +52 (55) 5615 7411
direct: +52 (55) 8421 6097
http://digital.museografica.com
charles at digital.museografica.com

Consultant (Design & IT)
Charles Buchwald & Friends
Vancouver, BC Canada
Portland, WA, USA
+01 (971) 533 7706
http://buchwald.ca
charles at buchwald.ca

Skype: charles_buchwald
Connect on LinkedIn
Follow me on Twitter
Connect on Facebook
Connect on Google+
Member of the 02 Global Network for Sustainable Design

Email Notice: http://wp.me/P3aT4d-33