Abstract: During an update technique, an update for the software application is received from a provider of the software application. Then, update information is either received from the provider or is generated. This update information specifies an update relationship between the update and at least a previous version of the software application. Next, inventory information associated with a portable electronic device is accessed (such as whether the previous version of the software application is currently installed on the portable electronic device). In response to the accessed inventory information, an identifier associated with the update is dynamically generated, and the update and the dynamically generated identifier are provided to the portable electronic device. Using the dynamically generated identifier, an application management system or the operating system installed on the portable electronic device determines whether an update workflow is executed.

Abstract: A technique for facilitating customization of a software application is described. During this customization technique, an indicator, which indicates that a software application for an electronic device has been discovered by a user, is provided to a publisher of the software application. In response to the indicator, the publisher provides a token to the user. This token identifies a customized application-delivery service for the software application and/or a user-specific customization of the software application. Note that the customized application-delivery service and the user-specific customization are based on information about the user associated with the user's pre-existing or just-established relationship with the publisher. Next, the token is provided to an application-delivery service, and the application-delivery service provides the customized software application to the electronic device or a computer, for example, using the customized application-delivery service.

Abstract: A technique for facilitating customization of a software application is described. During this customization technique, an indicator, which indicates that a software application for an electronic device has been discovered by a user, is provided to a publisher of the software application. In response to the indicator, the publisher provides a token to the user. This token identifies a customized application-delivery service for the software application and/or a user-specific customization of the software application. Note that the customized application-delivery service and the user-specific customization are based on information about the user associated with the user's pre-existing or just-established relationship with the publisher. Next, the token is provided to an application-delivery service, and the application-delivery service provides the customized software application to the electronic device or a computer, for example, using the customized application-delivery service.

Abstract: During an update technique, an update for the software application is received from a provider of the software application. Then, update information is either received from the provider or is generated. This update information specifies an update relationship between the update and at least a previous version of the software application. Next, inventory information associated with a portable electronic device is accessed (such as whether the previous version of the software application is currently installed on the portable electronic device). In response to the accessed inventory information, an identifier associated with the update is dynamically generated, and the update and the dynamically generated identifier are provided to the portable electronic device. Using the dynamically generated identifier, an application management system or the operating system installed on the portable electronic device determines whether an update workflow is executed.

Abstract: During an update technique, an update to a software application is received from a provider of a software application. Then, update information is either received from the provider or is generated. This update information, which is other than an application identifier and a version number associated with the update, specifies an update relationship between the update and at least a previous version of the software application. Subsequently, configuration information (such as whether the previous version of the software application is currently installed on a portable electronic device) is received from the portable electronic device. In response to the received configuration information, the update is provided to the portable electronic device along with update information. Using the update information, an application management system or the operating system installed on the portable electronic device determines whether an update workflow is executed.