iPad\iPhone application structure

Question

I am going to build an iOS application that will have different iPad\iPhone views, but will share some business logic. I want to develop the application in different XCode projects, not in a universal mode (as this will require less development and testing).

I understood from the 'iPad Programming Guide', that "Creating a universal application allows you to sell one application that supports all device types".

I would like to allow this behavior, but still develop on two different XCode projects (iPad and iPhone). Is there a way to do so? Maybe using the same application id?

Answer 1

Do not split the app into separate iPhone and iPad apps, unless you are adding some significant functionality to the iPad app to warrant it as a completely separate app.

I say this because I just did this - (I had an existing app, and release a separate iPad version of it.) Apple rejected the application for this reason.

See Apple's guidlines: https://developer.apple.com/appstore/resources/approval/guidelines.html

There is also info on creating universal apps here:

http://devimages.apple.com/iphone/resources/introductiontouniversalapps.pdf

Answer 2

I would recommend against splitting the projects... That's because when you develop a universal application, it comes as one myApp.app bundle that gets loaded on the phone. It's actually rather trivial to code for the different platforms, and just a matter of screen resolution changes/a different nib. Basic logic and underlying code should remain the same.

Ray Wenderlich has posted a great tutorial on how to do this.

Answer 3

You can just develop one app specifically for the iPad, and one specifically for the iPhone/iPod Touch. Many apps do this, including Things and Things for iPad. Creating two separate apps could increase your revenue, as well, since some people have both devices; if they really like your app, they will purchase it twice.