I'm interested in knowing what you found to be the best resources for building your first iOS app. Did you use anything like PhoneGap or just Xcode? I have been looking at making an iOS app and while there are lots of examples of how do specific things, I haven't found any good overviews of how to properly architect an iOS app or what if any framework to use.
I built the backend server with Rails (I knew this already), but the rest was native iOS, so all Xcode. As far as how to architect it, I'm not sure I'd be much help. I basically jotted down what the app would look like and just started with individual features. I did have some help and advice from two iOS devs when it came to questions like, "I want it to do X, what is that called in the iOS world?", so I was better able to search for answers.
Basically, I'd just start with a feature of your app and try to build it. Most likely, someone smarter than both of us has done it and written about it (or at least something similar enough). Once you start writing code, you'll quickly get a feel for how things work and have a better sense of what the overall app should look like. Not sure if that helps any but good luck.
Hey jamesgagan, I feel your pain. I found the same thing when I started iOS development a few years ago: plenty of tutorials on how to restyle a specific widget, but not many resources on how a real-world application should be structured as a whole.
I've got a few iOS apps under my belt and I feel like I could have something to offer in this area. Feel like Skyping for a half hour or so? I'd love to help talk through your architecture. My email is in my profile.
I built my first app from scratch almost entirely using Learn iPhone Programming (http://learningiphoneprogramming.com) by Alasdair Allan. Highly recommended.
I built this in 37 days with no prior iOS experience (though I did have experience with ruby/rails). I think it could be useful but I'd love some feedback.
Instead requiring all of your friends install the app why not have people add friends by email/cell number. Then on the backend determine if they have an account if they have an account send it through the app otherwise they can just send an email/sms.
I think most of us would love to give feedback, but at first glance it seems requires all the "friends" to use the same paid app is not something easy to tag along.
Besides, I am using Android now ;-) so...
Just a side note, for solutions that needs social networking to work, it would be extremely hard to charge people up front. You gonna have to give it away for free (first) to earn some viral effects to kick in.
I would consider some sort of free version of this app, so people can join without risk. Maybe make a version that limits you to 3 friends for free, or unlimited friends for $1.99?
I think the big advantage here is reducing the noise and the effort. If I'm going mountain biking this afternoon it only takes me about 10 seconds to let all my mountain biking buddies know that. I don't have to figure out which group I'm sending the invitation to and explain what I'm going to do and where.
[+] [-] jamesgagan|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] tsalfie|14 years ago|reply
Basically, I'd just start with a feature of your app and try to build it. Most likely, someone smarter than both of us has done it and written about it (or at least something similar enough). Once you start writing code, you'll quickly get a feel for how things work and have a better sense of what the overall app should look like. Not sure if that helps any but good luck.
[+] [-] jashmenn|14 years ago|reply
I've got a few iOS apps under my belt and I feel like I could have something to offer in this area. Feel like Skyping for a half hour or so? I'd love to help talk through your architecture. My email is in my profile.
[+] [-] dzlobin|14 years ago|reply
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/cs193p-student-final-proj...
[+] [-] bjplink|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] john2x|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] tsalfie|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] tcoville|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] itsnotvalid|14 years ago|reply
Besides, I am using Android now ;-) so...
Just a side note, for solutions that needs social networking to work, it would be extremely hard to charge people up front. You gonna have to give it away for free (first) to earn some viral effects to kick in.
[+] [-] jfarmer|14 years ago|reply
This is why about.me demolished flavors.me, even though flavors.me came first.
Since your product is built around doing things with other people, there's a natural advertising angle, viz., suggesting things for people to do.
[+] [-] tansey|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] seltzered_|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] tsalfie|14 years ago|reply
I believe simple, targeted apps can be useful.