14 DAY TRIAL // Developers are being notified that any apps or updates submitted for the iOS App Store and Mac App Store between December 21-27 will not be taken into account. Same goes for scheduled price changes and in-app purchases.
A suite of web-based tools for managing apps and e-books, iTunes Connect is a backend for Apple Developers looking to sell content on the iTunes Store, App Store, Mac App Store, and iBooks Store.
The tool is also used to manage apps, contracts, tax, and banking information, as well as sales reports, and it can only be used by members of the iOS Developer Program or Mac Developer Program.
Apple has strict guidelines regarding the usage of iTunes Connect. For instance, if the user already has an iTunes Connect account for dishing out another media type besides apps (music, TV content, movies, or books) a different Apple ID must be used to manage apps for iOS and OS X. The same goes for participating in the Volume Purchase Program.
In a memo posted to its Developer portal, Apple notifies registrants that “As a reminder, iTunes Connect will shut down December 21–27 for the winter holidays.”
Veteran developers already know the drill, but Apple goes through the motions again, ensuring that everyone knows why their update may be delayed.
“You should not schedule pricing changes that take effect during the shutdown — these changes will not be reflected on the App Store and your apps or In-App Purchase items will become unavailable until after the shutdown,” the company adds.
“In addition, releases that are scheduled to go live between these dates will be delayed,” according to the Cupertino giant.
Developers who are looking to rush out an update before the holidays can still access iTunes Connect to submit new binaries to Apple. However, they also need to take into account Apple’s review/approval process.