14 DAY TRIAL // In a note on the iOS Dev Center, Apple is signaling that iTunes connect will be closed from December 23 to December 28, in a typical move for the Cupertino, California-based company. Recently, Apple opened up iTunes Connect to Mac app developers as well. Regular iTunes users remain unaffected. Those who use the service to download / update content on their iOS devices will be able to do so throughout the winter holidays.
iTunes Connect, a suite of web-based tools that allows Apple developers to submit and manage their applications for distribution on the App Store, will be briefly closed in December, Softpedia has learned.
In a message targeting programmers enrolled with the $99-a-year iOS Developer Program, Apple is signaling that iTunes Connect will be temporarily closed “for the winter holidays.”
The news should also target Mac application developers looking to turn a profit with Apple’s upcoming Mac App Store.
In iTunes Connect, those enrolled with Apple’s developer program are able to check the status of their contracts, set up tax and banking information, obtain sales and finance reports, request promotional codes, manage users, applications, metadata, and their in-app purchase catalog.
The application is intended for use by persons who either own or control a catalog of content for digital distribution, or are an authorized representative of someone who does.
This is not an unusual move for the Mac maker, as the company typically puts some of its services into hibernation ahead of the holiday season.
However, the move may affect developers looking to have an application ready for admission in the aforementioned Mac App Store, with Apple announcing that iTunes Connect was open to Mac Developer Program members just last week.
According to an announcement posted to the Developer area of Apple’s web site on November 3, Mac Developer Program members who plan to distribute their apps on the upcoming Mac App Store could log in to iTunes Connect and create an account.
In a separate post, Apple downright rushes developers to get their apps ready for review, so that their software will be featured in the venue at launch. Apple plans to open the Mac App Store in early 2011, as the company revealed during its October 20 "Back to the Mac" event.
“The Mac App Store will be opening soon,” Apple said on November 3. “You can get ready by submitting your Mac apps for review now. Log in to the Mac Dev Center for details on setting up an iTunes Connect account, creating Apple-issued Mac Distribution Certificates, and preparing your apps for the review process.”
Needless to point out, iOS developers who are planning to boost sales this holiday season should wrap up their coding ahead of the Dec. 23 deadline.
Mac app developers will be able resume communication with Apple via iTunes Connect after December 28.