Cocoa App: How distribute beta versions?

Question

Hello! Until today I've developed and tested by myself all the versions of my app! I would like to begin to release some versions for beta tester, to have a better product to release! But I really don't know how do that!

I had thought to upload the beta version on my website in a password protected folder and sent to my testers a notification (by e-mail) about the availability of a new beta version.

Or to upload the beta version on a restricted area of my website and mail to my tester a dynamic link (with an expiration time) to the new available beta.

These are some good way or I can do that better?

Thanks in advance for your replies!

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EDIT

I already have some beta tester, I'm not searching for new one! I'm asking only for a suggestion on how send my beta version to my tester!

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EDIT 2

The app I want to send to my testers is a MAC OS X application, not an iPhone OS app! Otherwise, I would like to distribute the app (only to my beta testers) in a secure way ... so I can't use software updates frameworks as Sparkle!

Answer 1

UPDATE:

Then have 2 appcasts. One for the regular users. Another one for the testers.

SECOND REPLY:

Ok, so you already have testers and it's a cocoa program. Then you can use Sparkle to distribute updates of your app.

FIRST REPLY:

Send out a press release via prmac. Requesting beta testers, free licenses to anyone that contributes. This will give you some PR as well (which is difficult to get).

Or ask on #macdev or #macsb on the freenode IRC server. However people may easily get offended if you mention its a product and its not free. I have tried seeking testers this way for my own program but it was a total failure. However even though you choose your words wisely, you may only get a few people to take a peek at your product that way.

Or just ask this question on the macsb mailing list.

Answer 2

If you are sending it to other developers (who have their own device deployment identifier) then you can send them the binary, and they'll be able to install it onto their own iPhones. However, if you want to send it to end users who have iPhones then you'll have to get their device ID and register it as a device on your account, and then provide a per-binary signed for each one of their devices.

They'll then be able to take the app, put it in iTunes, and then it will be sync'd across to their iPhone.

Answer 3

How about releasing a password protected DMG on a non-public download link on your site? You could only send out the password to you beta testers, and (if you want it even more secure) you could make only a single serial key that activates the beta version, so they you can keep track of all activations.