Thursday 5 May 2011

8 steps to making an app

Ever wanted to join the digital revolution by making your ideas into an app, but fear you don’t have the time or resources?  Well, put it off no longer, iTechnology has made you a guide to creating your first iPhone application in only six steps…

1)      The Seed
The beginning of all priceless apps comes from a solid developed and researched idea. It may serve a particular niche or purpose, but the truth is originality is the key in a store of over 350,000 applications, including the most obscure including concert lighters, whoopee cushions and more. If originality isn’t possible, we would suggest improving an existing app, but you will face plenty of competition. Sketch down your ideas on a 3.5-inch diagonal rectangle.
2)      The Tools
Writing your own application, as you can imagine, requires an expensive amount of hardware and software. Registering as an Apple Developer is relatively cheap at only £60 annually, and this will provide you with the official software-development kit and uploading software. It goes without saying that you will need access to an up-to-date Intel-based Apple Mac or a PC with Mac OS X, as well as an iPhone and iPod Touch.
3)      The Language
Unless you have already had experience in the languages C/C++ and Objective-C used by iPhone, you should probably team yourself up with a good programmer or get learning. iTechnology recommends reading Programming in Objective-C by Stephen Kochan for a clear introduction.
4)      The Designing
This is where the process becomes very real and very exciting. Reserve your app’s name as part of Apple’s app-submission process, after designing and planning every single detail. Draw up your PNG graphics and make sure the flow of your app screens is all written down to save yourself time and effort later on.
5)      The Test
We’d recommend you test your app before rushing to release it; you’ll be surprised how many difficulties you come across which will ultimately affect your ratings. Design a prototype of your app to test your work on the iPhone.
6)      The Code Writing
Get the coffee ready, it’s time to start transforming your ideas and designs into code. Apple make it easy to move the code you’ve written on your PC to the iPhone to test, so don’t be afraid of continually changing and altering your code to enhance the app’s user interface, navigation and speed.
7)      The last bits
Decide on a price for your app, depending on a number of things including whether it’s an impulse buy or has in-app purchases. As we’ve discovered in this edition of iTechnology, developers believe people have a warped view of prices in the app store – basically anything above 59p has to be justified as worth it. Decide whether you want to give your customers a taster with a free lite version. Set up a website for your app, and heighten customer awareness by sending out press releases, videos, free copies for reviewing and going to Apple conferences for developers.
8)      The Launch
You are ready! You’re eyes may permanently have the graphics of your app burnt into them, but it’s now time to let your creation fly. It takes about 10-14 days after uploading your application with marketing screenshots to Apple for approval. Keep your customers happy, good luck and happy developing!

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