Take the tour ×  What are my options? I've heard that iPhone
emulator is not reliable. Also is it possible for me to buy
iphone apps without even owning an iphone?  BTW, I am running
linux and a windows VM.   share|improve this question This
question is about developing for Apple devices. Per our FAQs,
these questions belong on a different site. –  Nathan G. Mar 29
'11 at 23:38 add comment  migrated from apple.stackexchange.com
Mar 29 '11 at 23:39   3 Answers  First of all, if you want to
develop iPhone app and put them on the App Store, you must have
a Mac running Mac OS X.  To test your app on your computer, the
emulator is the only solution.  If you want to test it on a real
device, you'll have to buy the iOS Developer Program ($99 per
year).  If you don't want to buy an iPhone, you might want to
look for an refurb iPod Touch, they'll probably be cheaper. But
you won't have a GPS and 3G connection, so if your app rely on
that, you'll probably have to buy an iPhone.  You can buy apps
without owning an iPhon