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Strengths: niche, cult-like loyalty
Weaknesses: weak dev tools, limited market
Verdict: Thumbs Up
I develop a variety of flavors of iPhone applications:
- Native Apps (objective C, as seen in the App Store)
- Phonegap Apps (Hybrid native + HTML/JavaScript, as seen in App Store)
- “Dashboard” Apps (HTML/JavaScript, as seen in Apple’s Web Apps site)
- iPhone-friendly sites (web sites designed specifically for iPhone)
- iUI apps (HTML/JavaScript that mimics the iPhone’s UI)
If your developer does not know what all of these are, or does not have experience with all of them, you are not getting the best development experience.
My personal preference is hybrid Phonegap apps because they can be sold in the App Store but take just a fraction of the development time because they leverage standard web technologies.
If you are interested in iPhone development, I assume you already understand the difference between an app that is sold in the App Store (free or paid) and a “Web App” which cannot be sold in the App Store. We call the App Store products “native apps”.
Not being listed in the Apple Store kills your chance for success. Without Apple’s blessing, 99% of iPhone users will never see you, and more importantly, will not be able to install your application. Apple holds the keys to software installation on the iPhone.
There is no inside track to getting placed in the Apple Store. Each app is reviewed for conflicts in business strategy and software code quality. I can make sure your app passes the QA tests, but nobody can promise Apple will let you in. You’re putting your chips on the table and spinning the wheel. Hope it lands on green. I mention this because a if you ask to see links to my Apple Store apps, you have to realize that being in the Apple Store is way beyond my scope of influence.
Thumbs up for iPhone!
