Who writes iphone apps?

vcl_X1

vcl_X1

vcl_X1

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11 Jan 2009
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619
Hi,

Who can write an app for me?

What/how would you expect to be paid? How long would it take?

You'd have to sign an nda before I go into anything other than very general details.

I've an idea I can not develop myself at the moment and want to get it into the Apple approval process as quickly as possible so as to minimise the risk of anyone anyone else doing it.

I'm putting together a written spec, plus design/layout so we know exactly what what we are writting and I'd like to see examples of your previous work.

If you can do this or know someone else who can then please drop me an email and we can hopefully take it from there and hopefully make some cash from a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Regards
V
 
Just point about the process (I'm an enrolled developer) - the application is attached to the account of the person that has submitted the application.

So if you personally want the naming or your company (this is verified by Apple) to appear in the app store you'll need your own enrolment. Otherwise you'll be tied to the that developer.

It's also key to note that the payments are made through that developer account too thus if you want the payments to you rather than to the developer you'll need an account. It may be better to ensure you own the source code and submit the built version yourself.

How long does it take - well that's all about the complexity. The app approval process is in Apple's own time but can be a week or several weeks.

You yourself will have to have some form of reference in terms of financial standing, additionally you'd need to get an agreed sign off document signed up front so have a think about that too. Sounds nasty but it's business and is there to protect you both.

It may be better to split the payment - first payment on delivery of the source code to you (working obviously) and the second payment on the acceptance by Apple. Just another point to think about.
 
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I've created my own account in the developer program, so good advice there, I'd rather retain control this way.

The app is (to me at least) quite simple - I do note your point about Apple's approval process being in their hands - I only stress about things have control over, this I have no control over so it happens as and when they decide, fact.

For my day job I do occasionally write brd's for system enhancements and also do a lot of the uat so this isn't a million miles from what I do there, I just know I don't have the skills currently to write this myself but think with a lot of blood sweat and beers that I could. I know exactly what I want and how it will look/operate and can communicate this quite easily in a formal document etc, at work we have a team of ba's and developers to then take it from there, perhaps I need to talk to one of them.

I'll take a look at the freelancer thing and like the idea re part payment on delivery of satisfactory code and then additional payment(s) at later milestones etc.

Cheers chaps
 
lol, was just looking thru getafreelancer again, ages since i've browsed there for work!

Just given me a few chuckles - people wanting programs written to do automatic trading on BF to earn cash(obv not 100% garaunteed etc)...

Stuff like that, if it was true, loads of folk would be doing it by now, and there wouldnt be loads of websites out there that offer the same deal!
 
I was having a chuckle too - revenue share etc also the funniest was the responses "I can do that piece of software.." when they were asking for something not even software related!

Also I'm a little shocked at the rates to be honest - perhaps that's due to my background which makes me wonder about the quality and the support that you'd get for that amount (mind you I've been used to anything from £150-1600 per day charge rate!).

The last issue that I can see is the IPR & Legals..
 
To be honest chaps I don' really know what a fair price is to develop my app, perhaps I am going to have to learn how to do it myself - I will soon have a mac thanks to a well known auction site and then at least I can use the skills gained to develop more ideas as and when the grey matter betweeen my ears comes up with the next great idea.

I'm not looking for a free ride, just a fair price and quality product to make some money from ;)
 
I'm unsure if you've done any Mac programming before but here's a few books I have:

Programming in Objective-C 2.0, Kochan
This covers Objective-C with a little Xcode and Mac OS. A good base reference for all things Objective-C (which means Apple stuff). It will underpin the next books, teach you and be a reference if you're used to C/C++ etc.

Beginning iPhone Development, Mark & LaMarche
Fast becoming the defacto favourite beginner's book. It's late to the market and they've got things right rather than rush things. I got mine today after using a google in-book. Ok - this is a easy entry book. It covers the basics of using Xcode etc and shows the basics of building applications using the bits and bobs available.
This is well worth it.

The iPhone Developer's Cookbook, Erica Sadun
This is an odd one. It's not well laid out nor is it an easy book but there's some interesting points and ideas. This will teach you some naughty stuff that Apple may not like. Does not tell you much about programming Cocoa, Xcode or Interface Builder (such as using multiple xib view controllers etc).
The information is in there... just buried. Once you're happy with developing this does cover more ideas beyond but it's not really a "my first iPhone" book (especially if you've not programmed Cocoa/Objective-C before).

Cocoa Programming for Mac OS X, Aaron Hillegass (Mac programming but it's very useful)
This is the defacto beginner's guide to Cocoa. Well written and very easy to follow - teaches a little Objective-C and also covers Xcode & Interface Builder.

You'll need the iPhone SDK from Apple's developer pages (free to sign up) and to distribute you will need to enroll (yearly fee) to distribute.
 
unfortunately we cant really give any opinions as to a fair build price to your app, without you giving too much away tbh...

Only thing is if its a "really good idea", and "hasnt actually been done before", I just hope that the person you "employ" from such a site(should you wish to choose) doesnt make a half arsed job, get fired by you, and copy your idea for themselves...


Just my 2p
 
Some of my year 10 pupils are into the iPhone app development. If you're looking to keep costs down, maybe contact a school, look for gifted and talented pupils and offer them a prize.
 
Hi,

I do have the book "Beginning iPhone Development, Mark & LaMarche" on it's way from Amazon.

I'd also downloaded from app store the videos of a course at Stanford uni so I've done their exercise with paper copies of the screens and app plus I've almost finished mocking up in Photoshop pixel scale screen prints of all the screens using all the standard apple controls where I can, why reinvent the wheel eh?

Next stage is code it, testing (breaking more like), tweak design/screens, debug and then take over the world ha ha.

BTW the last thing I coded was on a ZX Spectrum! unless a few excel macros count, so I'm under no illusion as to my own abilities here.
 
Haha just saw this on GetAFreelancer.com:

GetAFreelancer.com said:
I am looking for an extremely talented and experienced iPhone app developer.

I need for you to come up with an unique solution to an iphone app code to charge the iphone battery without having to use the iphone charger.

The iphone user should be able to charge his iphone battery anytime he feels like with one simple click.

The user should be able to download this app from the app store for $5.00 ... then he can just click on "Charge My Battery" ... and it should fully charge his battery within seconds.

You will need to make sure and build this app so that it is very easy and simple to use. User experience is extremely important.

Once completed and fully tested, i will require you to submit the app for approval by the App Store ... so detailed knowledge of their rules and procedures will be required.

I will own complete and full rights to this iphone app.

Please do not bid if you do not have an idea on how to create this iphone app.

Thank you.
Click to expand...

http://www.getafreelancer.com/projects/iPhone/iphone-app-battery-charger.html
 
iv just registered with getafreelance.com...does anyone here use this?? looks quite interesting! whats the score with bidding? do you have to bid and pay for projects if your looking for work???
 
NickK said:
How are you getting on?
Click to expand...

It's a good book, just working through the examples and making lots of obvious mistakes, but I am understanding what the mistake was, so I think that is ok, that and getting to grips with the Mac.

I have the Iphone simulator working fine but as my phone is running 3.0.1 I can't get it to run the on device development, looks like I've installed the sdk in a non default location, once I can figure out where, as opposed to /developer/applications etc then I can correct this, or hopefully the Snow Leopard version of the sdk makes this a non event next month when I update etc.

Looks like one of the developers at work will be willing to write the code that I can't/won't' be able to, this seems safer than chancing a complete unknown on the freelancer site mentioned.
 
The update for getting the 3.0.1 to work is a simple symbolic link to 3.0. I have it working with 3.0.1.

ln -s /Developer/Platforms/iPhoneOS.platform/DeviceSupport/3.0\ \(7A341\) /Developer/Platforms/iPhoneOS.platform/DeviceSupport/3.0.1
 
NickK said:
The update for getting the 3.0.1 to work is a simple symbolic link to 3.0. I have it working with 3.0.1.

ln -s /Developer/Platforms/iPhoneOS.platform/DeviceSupport/3.0\ \(7A341\) /Developer/Platforms/iPhoneOS.platform/DeviceSupport/3.0.1
Click to expand...

I've taken care of that but get this error...
Code Sign error: The identity 'iPhone Developer' doesn't match any valid certificate/private key pair in the default keychain

Any thoughts?

I've paid for the individual "licence" and activated it
 
vcl_X1 said:
I've taken care of that but get this error...
Code Sign error: The identity 'iPhone Developer' doesn't match any valid certificate/private key pair in the default keychain

Any thoughts?

I've paid for the individual "licence" and activated it
Click to expand...

Yes - I know what this is!

To download (even development) applications to the iPhone itself requires a digital signature. For this digital signature - you can apply for this as you're enrolled - you can use for your application. This signature is specific to your iPhone serial number.

You then add the digital signature to your keychain which Xcode then uses to sign for the iPhone.

The enrollment also allows you to set up the app shop things and upload for approval.

Log in to the developer website, then on the right is a "Program Portal" - select this. Next launch the "iPhone Provisioning assistant". This will create the signature for you and will tell you all the steps you need to take.

There are two types of certificate - Development and Distribution - so the former is what you require initially.

Xcode will need a restart after you have done this.
 
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