Here are the key numbers from yesterday’s “Let’s Talk iPhone” event. Mac Users: 58M iOS Devices: 250m iPhones: Half on the market are iPhone 4′s App Store: >500k apps; 140k iPad apps Accounts/Downloads App Store: 18b; $3b paid to developers If you compare these numbers to the WWDC keynote just four months ago (or so), [...]
The Spell Nomad Side Table (for iPad)
Because we are still discovering the ways in which we use tablets, we need to re-think how furniture might be better designed to accommodate these new lifestyles. (via Graham Clarke)
Client Launch – Safari To Go for iPad
I was first introduced to Safari Books Online soon after it launched in 2001. As someone in the tech industry, it almost seemed too good to be true…an extremely large catalog of technical-related books available to read for a very reasonable subscription fee. Today the service might be described as a kind of Netflix for [...]
How to Make a Better iOS Beta Program – Use a Sign-up Form
Beta testing isn’t specific to iOS development. In fact, it was very much popularized with web apps. It has similar benefits such as building early interest, collecting feedback, and generally making the app much more stable before launch. Running a beta program for iOS apps also has distinct challenges. In the past, I’ve covered smarter [...]
Announcing Rise Alarm – It’s Time to Wake up in Style
In-between the launch of App Savvy, talks, interviews, and some very exciting client work, I’ve been tinkering in the workshop. I’m going to write much more about the making and motivation of my latest app—Rise Alarm—but for now, go check it out. It has a very unique experience, with the interface being driven by swipes. [...]
iOS 4 Market Share – Developers Have the Answers
One of the big questions iOS developers continue to ask is when they can safely stop supporting older iOS versions. Currently, that question is focused on supporting iOS 3.x. I’ve seen stats for iOS 4 market share vary from over 90% of devices still running iOS 3.x to over 90% running iOS 4.x. The problem [...]
9 Myths About Building iPad/iPhone Apps
Over time, I’ve seen and heard dozens and dozens of inaccurate beliefs about what’s involved in building iPad and iPhone apps. I decided that I wanted to start debunking some of those myths and thus created the talk called, “9 Myths About Building iPad/iPhone Apps” to complement my book. I was fortunate enough to present [...]
App Savvy – My Step-by-Step O’Reilly Book for Creating iPhone / iPad Apps
I haven’t written about it much here but if you follow me on Twitter, you know that I’ve been working on my first book, an iPhone and iPad strategy and marketing book called App Savvy (O’Reilly). Well, today is launch day and since it’s no longer just a pipe dream, I’m happy to share more [...]
Coming Soon…A Novel About Squirrels Written on the iPad
Debbie Ohi’s writing her novel, “Killer Zombie Squirrels From Outer Space” on the iPad. Because of that, she’s also created got a comprehensive review of iPad writing apps for writers. We’ll continue to see interesting uses of the iPad but they are still the exception to the rule: the iPad primarily remains a consumption device. [...]
Three Ways to Do Over the Air (Wireless Ad Hoc) iOS Beta Programs
One of the most tedious—and depressing—chapters in my book App Savvy relates to the beta testing process for iPhone and iPad apps. As I indicate there, it’s a necessary evil because launching a new app or a new feature into the App Store without testing it is simply asking for trouble (more on that in [...]
Mobile a Moving Target in 2010
As a speaker for Digital East, I was interviewed by Tech Journal South about mobile and native mobile apps specifically.: “They’re looking at this year and asking how will it lead me into next year,” he says. Some firms are willing to throw some money at mobile this year, but don’t really expect much to [...]
Over the Air Updates for iOS Beta Apps
Andreas Linde (@therealkerni) demos an open source framework he’s working on that will allow new versions of beta iOS apps to be updated when they are opened. Looks great.
Think First, Code Later
I’ve submitted a magical and revolutionary panel to SXSW ’11 in the Interactive track and need your vote. The focus will be on the strategy aspects of iOS application development. Here’s the description: Before a single pixel is created, a line of code is written, or a marketing plan is conceived, a prospective app should [...]
Five Ways to Build Interest for Your App Through Sneak Peeks
One of the best ways to generate interest for an app before it’s launched is to release sneak peeks of what’s in progress. A sneak peek can include any aspect of the application. For example, it might be a a landing page that communicates the branding of the app, a crop or full screen of [...]
Creation on the iPad is the Exception, Not the Norm
Yes, so the iPad can be used to create…but is that it’s primary use by most consumers? How many media apps are there for the iPad compared to apps focused on creativity? Do content creation apps have 300,000+ downloads? That’s what the top iPad apps—focused on content consumption—are doing. Just because a talented artist can [...]
The Magic Lottery (for Apps)
Here’s another way to think about it: delight the audience you already have, amaze the customers you can already reach, dazzle the small investors who already trust you enough to listen to you. Take the permission you have and work your way up. Leaps look good in the movies, but in fact, success is mostly [...]
Words Apple Won’t Hear (Right Now) – Code For Android First
Anyone who suggests that the “iPhone 4 is nice” but that developers should code for Android first is truly out of touch with the realities of developing for these platforms. Now, let me be clear, I’m rooting for Android because competition is what spurs innovation by giving consumers choice and keeping platform providers honest. I [...]
What iPads Did To My Family
Tap, tap, tap. All the PCs and laptops are basically not being used. All the Macs are not being used. All have been powered off. Everyone in the family is waiting for their turn at the iPad. … I don’t think I’ll be buying any more desktops going forward. I don’t think I’ll even be [...]
LUXA2 H4 Mobile Holder for iPad
Case closed. Be notified here.
Consumer and Developer Impacts from the iPad App Store
As a consumer my first observation about the iPad App Store was that it was frustrating to browse. On the iPhone, the App Store is mostly controlled with “flick” gestures. For example, when searching for an app, it’s easy to browse twenty-five of them at a time by quickly scrolling up or down and then [...]
On Why Not to Buy an iPad
If I weren’t writing about the iPad and developing apps for it, I probably wouldn’t purchase it on day one for some of these reasons: Relying on incumbents to produce your revolutions is not a good strategy. They’re apt to take all the stuff that makes their products great and try to use technology to [...]
iPad Reviews from Mossberg and Pogue
Mossberg is pretty hot on the iPad believing that it can replace laptops and netbooks for many, My verdict is that, while it has compromises and drawbacks, the iPad can indeed replace a laptop for most data communication, content consumption and even limited content creation, a lot of the time. But it all depends on [...]
Want an iPad app? There’s a price for that.
With all the hype and excitement over the iPad, many forget that iPad apps equate to new dollars. Consumers are only starting to understand that point but trust me, it’s going to be a big criticism of those developers who build iPad-specific versions of their apps.
AppsFire’s Beyond the App Store
A visual take on how users discover apps. Ties in with my recommendations for how Apple can improve the App Store this year.
How Apple Can Improve the App Store (and iPhone) in 2010
No, this is not going to be another one of those posts. And yes, it’s a couple of weeks into 2010 yet this is a 2010 post. On the first point, I’m not even going to touch Apple’s App Store policies or the approval process, which by the way, are already showing signs of vast [...]
