Develop iPhone

Developing iPhone apps has become a quick way to both make a few extra dollars and to get your name out in the world. But, it isn't an "instant on" process. Let's face it, with over 85,000 iPhone apps already available, the first thing that has to be done is to find something that hasn't already been done to death. GPS apps, chat apps, games, eBay hooks, time apps, etc. have all got their own 'category' as it were in the app store.

So, finding something that will be saleable to the general public and acceptable enough to Apple that they'll allow it onto the "store shelves" means either finding something new, or doing something that's already out there better, cheaper and faster. Another thing to think about is whether to have it be a "public" app or finding a concept or idea geared specifically to a specific company or genre like online delivery apps for pizza or Chinese takeout, or even more narrowly defined for a local company that has a specific need, like companies that deliver bottled water to offices.

Once you've got the concept of what you want to do nailed in place, then it comes down to delivering the coded and compiled app for public consumption. The great thing about doing iPhone apps now is the fact that there is a lot of "prior art" out there to work from. Not only is there an "official" iPhone SDK, or Software Developers Kit, available, but there are a multitude of pre-built libraries that can be either imported for free, or for a nominal cost that will speed development and programming of your app dramatically.

Depending on how much "new code" that has to be created, a new iPhone app could be created, tested and posted online in as little as a few hours. Some apps that require a lot of new code, or that have to have a lot of testing to ensure stability could take days, weeks or even months before they're ready for ‘prime time'. One aspect of the whole development process that bears keeping in mind is Apple's guidelines for acceptance into their online store. Apple doesn't let just any app in, as has been noted in the news. A modicum of taste and decorum is necessary, although it doesn't take much.

But, once the app is completed and is on Apple's store, it is in front of a national audience. As with the old shareware and freeware programs when PC's were ‘shiny and new', there are a lot of people, including potential employers taking a look at what is available in terms of capability from coders. So, if you choose to take on the challenge of developing an iPhone app, keep in mind you may very well be displaying your skills to some of the most important people in the country, in terms of jobs.

And in today's economy, a little care, a little patience and a little iPhone app could make all the difference in the world.