There’s Gold In Them iPhones

interesting, but most apps won't ever see that kind of revenue. Here's an article which shows some actual data of ranking vs. sales for a top 20 paid app.

http://www.joelcomm.com/app_store_ranktosales_revealed.html

There is a ridiculous amount of iPhone apps in the App Store to sift through. My guess is that a VERY small percentage of apps can be considered successful. Apple's model is definitely perfect for the average Joe to jump in and see what happens. The quality iPhone apps are limited, but they're out there. There are some tools out there that can help too. Check out Apptism: http://www.apptism.com

And then ... comes the bust. Stories like this one typically come in after the boom has already passed its peak. Prediction : we will now see at least three to five traditionally 'snake oil' work-from-home type companies now attempt to make money from 3rd grade or lower iPhone apps appear before Christmas. Another prediction - we will also see big software house buy out the little guys, and therefore stifle creativity, ETA Q1 2009. After this, Apple themselves will develop an upgrade to the iPhone permitting only 'approved developers' to upload their apps - and this will be a mandatory upgrade to the phone. Price of admission for developers - impossible to tell at this point, but it is likely to be as much as $10k, which will not be a jump for those making money at this point. Thereafter - independents may develop a work-around hack, but this will also be challenged in court in typical Apple style. they may win, but by this time (Q2 2009), the iPhone may be both dead and/or dying as a platform, and - no one will be buying apps for it. Those writing apps will be fresh out of ideas, and those mentioned in this article are likely to be the best we will ever see, no more after that.

You make it sound like anyone that writes an app will make money. There are many developers out there that have worked nights and weekends and sweated blood to build high quality software for the iPhone that might make them some money, only to be disappointed by the few sales that they get. I should know, I am one of them. I think it's a bit unfortunate that some (not all) of the apps that have done well are rubbish. It all comes down to exposure really. If Apple decides to promote your app, you're very likely to sell a lot. If they don't, your apps disappear into obscurity quite quickly. You should not be spreading the misconception that writing an app will make you rich. All it will achieve is to encourage more crap to be uploaded to the App Store.

Apparently cricketman hasn't been visiting the Apple app store ... in my opinion, there are literally hundreds of app's at the Apple app store that constitutes "crap." However, there far more app's that are well written and are useful. A quick look at just the game category, there are, on average, 6 new games uploaded a month. FYI, there are over 600 app's just in the Productivity category.

To answer queueman's question, generally yes they will work on the Touch, but without the constant connection to the net, many are not worth downloading. Also, if the app requires a microphone, it also a problem with the 1st generation Touch . . .and yes, you can use a microphone to record sound on the 2nd generation Touch.

To answer dguerr's question, Apple does give away the tools you need to get started ... of course, there is a learning curve to deal with. However, having no real programing experience, I have written script language for MS Access and FileMaker, and after looking into this, I got the sense that the learning curve isn't all that steep - a lot depends on what you want to do. Information / Resource type of app's are probably the easiest to do. Games, Productivity and Social Networking app's are most likely to be the hardest to develop.

Typical Hyperbole from some bozo. A guy who has been writing programs for more than 20 years says any kid in a bedroom can do this? Get real. If that were to happen, the app store would be filled with the type of crap I'd expect from Activision.

Also, depending on where you live, there might be helpful Mac developers around. Check out http://www.apple.com/usergroups/find/ to find a Mac user group (MUG) in your area. Some of them might be developers and may be willing to guide you and your son in the right direction.

rixgame, you will need an Intel-based Mac capable of running OS X 10.5.4 (any new Mac). You will then need to install the iPhone SDK. Here is the Apple page for all things related to iPhone development: http://developer.apple.com/iphone

You can register there and get access to all of the help documentation and videos.

However, it does require a pretty high-level of understanding about computers and computer programming... The language used to develop applications for the iPhone (as for all other Mac applications) is based on C (called "Objective C"). There are plenty of books and websites available for Mac OS X development - some geared more to the beginner than others (you might want to search Amazon and read reviews). There are a few iPhone programming books out there (this one looks pretty good: http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-iPhone-Development-Exploring-SDK/dp/1430216263), but I haven't checked any out. You will probably have to get him started with some beginner-oriented programming books in order for much of the iPhone-specific books to make sense (understanding common programming concepts and terms). Good luck!

Iphone App. developers....and enthusiast out there......can u please tell me what programming skills must be learned by my 13 yr. old son......who loves his IPHONE and apps.......and dreams of developing his own in the near future. What programs / software are used for IPHONE apps......and where how do you learn. THe best time to start....is now ! Thank you! ( Any information is greatly appreciated!.....or a lead to websites)

Iphone App. developers....and enthusiast out there......can u please tell me what programming skills must be learned by my 13 yr. old son......who loves his IPHONE and apps.......and dreams of developing his own in the near future. What programs / software are used for IPHONE apps......and where how do you learn. THe best time to start....is now ! Thank you! ( Any information is greatly appreciated!.....or a lead to websites)

Love my G1 Android. So far I have Apps including a carpenters level (the phone itself acts as the level, with the tiny water bubble on the screen). While that's a bit of a novelty, I actually use the bar code scanner at the store. (The camera part of the phone does the reading) It shows competitor prices nearby and on the web. No, i decided, I'm "not driving four miles to Wal-Mart in traffic just to save $3.00". Coming soon: An app that shows what stars and constellations I'm looking at on any given evening anywhere in the world. Amazing!

Love my G1 Android. So far I have Apps including a carpenters level (the phone itself acts as the level, with the tiny water bubble on the screen). While that's a bit of a novelty, I actually use the bar code scanner at the store. (The camera part of the phone does the reading) It shows competitor prices nearby and on the web. No, i decided, I'm "not driving four miles to Wal-Mart in traffic just to save $3.00". Coming soon: An app that shows what stars and constellations I'm looking at on any given evening anywhere in the world. Amazing!

The iphone is really cool. I kept finding awesome apps for it. Yesterday I found this lavalamp app. It's so realisitc that my aunt thought that I had real lava in my phone... The ibeer app is also fun

The iphone is so amazing. I keep finding awesome apps for it. Just yesterday, I found an awesome lavalamp app. It's so realistic and you can play with it. My aunt thought that I really had lava in my phone....The ibeer app is really fun too

Our family has been writing pirate apps for the iphone for months now. The money isn't flooding in yet but it has paid for our iPhones :).

http://www.salempirates.com

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