Getting access to the App Store

I figure that these iPods aren't going to be much use if students can't download applications for them. We have a couple of applications in mind already...such as "Studywiz Mobile eLocker".

Given that a) our lab computers don't allow students to update iPods, and b) I couldn't guarantee that every student has access to an Internet-capable computer at home, I had to find a way of allowing access to the App Store from the iPods.

The easy way was to ask Apple's iTunes Store support people for the IP address / domain name of the iTunes Store servers. But, of course, it wasn't that easy...the support people didn't seem to have a clue what I was talking about - they told me to get my ISP to turn off the blocking!

My next option was to try and find the information myself, by monitoring the proxy logs whilst trying to connect one of the iPods. An hour or so later, and about 6 "direct access" entries in the proxy config, it appears that the proxy is no longer a barrier to the App Store.

However, I still have 1 problem. When I try and create an App Store account using the iPod, I am required to enter credit card information. This is not good, as our year 7s don't have credit cards, and I don't really want them accessing paid applications anyway. Apple have described a workaround for this if you're using iTunes on a computer, but unfortunately I don't have that option.

I have asked the support people (again!) if there is a fix for this, that will allow me to create store accounts (using the iPods) without entering credit card details. If they aren't forthcoming with an answer, it looks like I'll have to create 27 student accounts using my laptop, and forwarding the information to the students by email.

I have a tentative date of next Friday (12th March) to have App Store access working for students - fingers crossed!