Want to become a smartphone app developer - don't know where to start!
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I'm a severely underemployed classic VC++ & .NET Winforms C# developer looking to get back into the game. It seems the game these days is smartphone apps. As can be seen by my experience, I have always been a Microsoftie as it used to get me corporate clients through job shops. However, for quite some time, aside from the occasional local client small job I get through word of mouth from my friends and acquaintances, I have been unable to find work. I mean NOTHING! :(( Now that I have gone through Chapter 7 bankruptcy, I am ready to become a productive member of society again. So it looks like smartphone development is a big structural change in the market, and what I like most about it is that it allows me to be an entrepreneur developer, where I build and app, and hopefully some folks like it and pay me (and after having some experience self developing, I may be able to get some juicy corporate work again. :-O ) As for as my development experience, aside from the C++, C# & .NET, I know basic HTML (like 1.0? :laugh:), a little SQL, a little ASP.NET 2.0, and virtually no Javascript or DOM. It seems that if I want to do web-enabled stuff, at the bare minimum, I need to learn HTML 5, and probably the latest Javascript & DOM (perhaps there is some subset of these that are applicable for mobile apps?) After this, I have no idea where to proceed. I suppose the first major decision is like the one I made years ago, when I decided to go to the "dark side" and become a Microsoftie, in which I need to decide exactly which platform to develop - iPhone, Android, Windows 7, etc. I know for iPhone, I would need to learn Objective-C, and would presume that Windows 7 uses C# and .NET to some extent. I would really rather stay away from Microsoft, as it seems that they always like to change the development stack every few years :mad:, and I don't like the tight control that Apple has always had, so I guess it is Android for me. Next is what type of IDE and API would I need to get to start developing? I suppose I would need to get an actual smartphone to do final checkout of any app, with a carrier for the internet. I currently use TracFone when I'm in the USA, so I don't know what would be available for me - and I spend a lot of time abroad in Eastern Europe, and I'd rather not deal with using a service there, so I would probably only release a product once I have tested it in the USA. I would really rather only do apps that don't deal with the internet (perhaps a limited market, I know), so that would not be
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I'm a severely underemployed classic VC++ & .NET Winforms C# developer looking to get back into the game. It seems the game these days is smartphone apps. As can be seen by my experience, I have always been a Microsoftie as it used to get me corporate clients through job shops. However, for quite some time, aside from the occasional local client small job I get through word of mouth from my friends and acquaintances, I have been unable to find work. I mean NOTHING! :(( Now that I have gone through Chapter 7 bankruptcy, I am ready to become a productive member of society again. So it looks like smartphone development is a big structural change in the market, and what I like most about it is that it allows me to be an entrepreneur developer, where I build and app, and hopefully some folks like it and pay me (and after having some experience self developing, I may be able to get some juicy corporate work again. :-O ) As for as my development experience, aside from the C++, C# & .NET, I know basic HTML (like 1.0? :laugh:), a little SQL, a little ASP.NET 2.0, and virtually no Javascript or DOM. It seems that if I want to do web-enabled stuff, at the bare minimum, I need to learn HTML 5, and probably the latest Javascript & DOM (perhaps there is some subset of these that are applicable for mobile apps?) After this, I have no idea where to proceed. I suppose the first major decision is like the one I made years ago, when I decided to go to the "dark side" and become a Microsoftie, in which I need to decide exactly which platform to develop - iPhone, Android, Windows 7, etc. I know for iPhone, I would need to learn Objective-C, and would presume that Windows 7 uses C# and .NET to some extent. I would really rather stay away from Microsoft, as it seems that they always like to change the development stack every few years :mad:, and I don't like the tight control that Apple has always had, so I guess it is Android for me. Next is what type of IDE and API would I need to get to start developing? I suppose I would need to get an actual smartphone to do final checkout of any app, with a carrier for the internet. I currently use TracFone when I'm in the USA, so I don't know what would be available for me - and I spend a lot of time abroad in Eastern Europe, and I'd rather not deal with using a service there, so I would probably only release a product once I have tested it in the USA. I would really rather only do apps that don't deal with the internet (perhaps a limited market, I know), so that would not be
swampwiz wrote:
so I guess it is Android for me.
Well the next step[^] should be fairly easy.
Unrequited desire is character building. OriginalGriff I'm sitting here giving you a standing ovation - Len Goodman
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I'm a severely underemployed classic VC++ & .NET Winforms C# developer looking to get back into the game. It seems the game these days is smartphone apps. As can be seen by my experience, I have always been a Microsoftie as it used to get me corporate clients through job shops. However, for quite some time, aside from the occasional local client small job I get through word of mouth from my friends and acquaintances, I have been unable to find work. I mean NOTHING! :(( Now that I have gone through Chapter 7 bankruptcy, I am ready to become a productive member of society again. So it looks like smartphone development is a big structural change in the market, and what I like most about it is that it allows me to be an entrepreneur developer, where I build and app, and hopefully some folks like it and pay me (and after having some experience self developing, I may be able to get some juicy corporate work again. :-O ) As for as my development experience, aside from the C++, C# & .NET, I know basic HTML (like 1.0? :laugh:), a little SQL, a little ASP.NET 2.0, and virtually no Javascript or DOM. It seems that if I want to do web-enabled stuff, at the bare minimum, I need to learn HTML 5, and probably the latest Javascript & DOM (perhaps there is some subset of these that are applicable for mobile apps?) After this, I have no idea where to proceed. I suppose the first major decision is like the one I made years ago, when I decided to go to the "dark side" and become a Microsoftie, in which I need to decide exactly which platform to develop - iPhone, Android, Windows 7, etc. I know for iPhone, I would need to learn Objective-C, and would presume that Windows 7 uses C# and .NET to some extent. I would really rather stay away from Microsoft, as it seems that they always like to change the development stack every few years :mad:, and I don't like the tight control that Apple has always had, so I guess it is Android for me. Next is what type of IDE and API would I need to get to start developing? I suppose I would need to get an actual smartphone to do final checkout of any app, with a carrier for the internet. I currently use TracFone when I'm in the USA, so I don't know what would be available for me - and I spend a lot of time abroad in Eastern Europe, and I'd rather not deal with using a service there, so I would probably only release a product once I have tested it in the USA. I would really rather only do apps that don't deal with the internet (perhaps a limited market, I know), so that would not be
I think you can learn JavaScript if you have done C++ etc..It should not be hard for you, Titanium IDE from Appcelerator would be a good tool to start developing iPhone and Android apps. It works better with iPhone. The tool has a Titanium API that uses JavaScript, HTML etc to develop native applications for mobile or desktop. I am not sure if this helps but it is a good way to start I guess.
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I'm a severely underemployed classic VC++ & .NET Winforms C# developer looking to get back into the game. It seems the game these days is smartphone apps. As can be seen by my experience, I have always been a Microsoftie as it used to get me corporate clients through job shops. However, for quite some time, aside from the occasional local client small job I get through word of mouth from my friends and acquaintances, I have been unable to find work. I mean NOTHING! :(( Now that I have gone through Chapter 7 bankruptcy, I am ready to become a productive member of society again. So it looks like smartphone development is a big structural change in the market, and what I like most about it is that it allows me to be an entrepreneur developer, where I build and app, and hopefully some folks like it and pay me (and after having some experience self developing, I may be able to get some juicy corporate work again. :-O ) As for as my development experience, aside from the C++, C# & .NET, I know basic HTML (like 1.0? :laugh:), a little SQL, a little ASP.NET 2.0, and virtually no Javascript or DOM. It seems that if I want to do web-enabled stuff, at the bare minimum, I need to learn HTML 5, and probably the latest Javascript & DOM (perhaps there is some subset of these that are applicable for mobile apps?) After this, I have no idea where to proceed. I suppose the first major decision is like the one I made years ago, when I decided to go to the "dark side" and become a Microsoftie, in which I need to decide exactly which platform to develop - iPhone, Android, Windows 7, etc. I know for iPhone, I would need to learn Objective-C, and would presume that Windows 7 uses C# and .NET to some extent. I would really rather stay away from Microsoft, as it seems that they always like to change the development stack every few years :mad:, and I don't like the tight control that Apple has always had, so I guess it is Android for me. Next is what type of IDE and API would I need to get to start developing? I suppose I would need to get an actual smartphone to do final checkout of any app, with a carrier for the internet. I currently use TracFone when I'm in the USA, so I don't know what would be available for me - and I spend a lot of time abroad in Eastern Europe, and I'd rather not deal with using a service there, so I would probably only release a product once I have tested it in the USA. I would really rather only do apps that don't deal with the internet (perhaps a limited market, I know), so that would not be
Probably with your background windows phone is a better option to start out with. Silverlight would be easy for you to get into. Each platform has it's advantages and disadvantages. Google's lack of control and 'free' view makes it hard to sell apps; and I know of no one making a living from google app sales. 85% of app sales happen on the Apple platform. But, with Google you'll be making some money with 'ad views'. Unfortunately, windows phone market share has been shrinking. Less than 4% right now, but less competition for app sales. Then you have Microsoft opening their windows store next year... could be some money there. I think your platform strategy should revolve around your overall career goals. If you are looking for a job, .net + windows phone may be doable. There is a demand for both iPhone and android developers for actual paying gigs as well. If you are going to try to make a living with apps, iPhone is still tops. I don't see that yet with Android. Although, maybe amazon will help with making the store experience more appealing for android users. I have read that windows phone is making money for some though. On apple's platform, this is the order of top earners: mac apps make the most, followed by iPad apps, then iPhone apps.
Cheers, Shawn Arney iOS Professional Developer & Trainer Learn iPhone Apps at: www.LearnApps.Org
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I'm a severely underemployed classic VC++ & .NET Winforms C# developer looking to get back into the game. It seems the game these days is smartphone apps. As can be seen by my experience, I have always been a Microsoftie as it used to get me corporate clients through job shops. However, for quite some time, aside from the occasional local client small job I get through word of mouth from my friends and acquaintances, I have been unable to find work. I mean NOTHING! :(( Now that I have gone through Chapter 7 bankruptcy, I am ready to become a productive member of society again. So it looks like smartphone development is a big structural change in the market, and what I like most about it is that it allows me to be an entrepreneur developer, where I build and app, and hopefully some folks like it and pay me (and after having some experience self developing, I may be able to get some juicy corporate work again. :-O ) As for as my development experience, aside from the C++, C# & .NET, I know basic HTML (like 1.0? :laugh:), a little SQL, a little ASP.NET 2.0, and virtually no Javascript or DOM. It seems that if I want to do web-enabled stuff, at the bare minimum, I need to learn HTML 5, and probably the latest Javascript & DOM (perhaps there is some subset of these that are applicable for mobile apps?) After this, I have no idea where to proceed. I suppose the first major decision is like the one I made years ago, when I decided to go to the "dark side" and become a Microsoftie, in which I need to decide exactly which platform to develop - iPhone, Android, Windows 7, etc. I know for iPhone, I would need to learn Objective-C, and would presume that Windows 7 uses C# and .NET to some extent. I would really rather stay away from Microsoft, as it seems that they always like to change the development stack every few years :mad:, and I don't like the tight control that Apple has always had, so I guess it is Android for me. Next is what type of IDE and API would I need to get to start developing? I suppose I would need to get an actual smartphone to do final checkout of any app, with a carrier for the internet. I currently use TracFone when I'm in the USA, so I don't know what would be available for me - and I spend a lot of time abroad in Eastern Europe, and I'd rather not deal with using a service there, so I would probably only release a product once I have tested it in the USA. I would really rather only do apps that don't deal with the internet (perhaps a limited market, I know), so that would not be
The job market for .NET developers in the Dallas/Fort Worth area is great right now, including for VC++ and C# Winforms. There are more jobs for developers than there are qualified interviewees at the moment; you might consider moving if you can. If you want to pick a winner in the smartphone area, pick Android. Microsoft is not the same without Gates, and Apple won't be the same without Jobs; Google still has people who will do what it takes to dominate the market. And if you want to make a winning smartphone app, the easiest thing to do is clone a game already successful in some other area; nearly all top-selling apps (of any kind) are ports or clones of games that were successful before they were put onto smartphones. Go to kongregate.com or armorgames.com, find a popular flash game that is easy to clone, and make a version for the smart phone (which is exactly what the angry birds designers did, btw).
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I'm a severely underemployed classic VC++ & .NET Winforms C# developer looking to get back into the game. It seems the game these days is smartphone apps. As can be seen by my experience, I have always been a Microsoftie as it used to get me corporate clients through job shops. However, for quite some time, aside from the occasional local client small job I get through word of mouth from my friends and acquaintances, I have been unable to find work. I mean NOTHING! :(( Now that I have gone through Chapter 7 bankruptcy, I am ready to become a productive member of society again. So it looks like smartphone development is a big structural change in the market, and what I like most about it is that it allows me to be an entrepreneur developer, where I build and app, and hopefully some folks like it and pay me (and after having some experience self developing, I may be able to get some juicy corporate work again. :-O ) As for as my development experience, aside from the C++, C# & .NET, I know basic HTML (like 1.0? :laugh:), a little SQL, a little ASP.NET 2.0, and virtually no Javascript or DOM. It seems that if I want to do web-enabled stuff, at the bare minimum, I need to learn HTML 5, and probably the latest Javascript & DOM (perhaps there is some subset of these that are applicable for mobile apps?) After this, I have no idea where to proceed. I suppose the first major decision is like the one I made years ago, when I decided to go to the "dark side" and become a Microsoftie, in which I need to decide exactly which platform to develop - iPhone, Android, Windows 7, etc. I know for iPhone, I would need to learn Objective-C, and would presume that Windows 7 uses C# and .NET to some extent. I would really rather stay away from Microsoft, as it seems that they always like to change the development stack every few years :mad:, and I don't like the tight control that Apple has always had, so I guess it is Android for me. Next is what type of IDE and API would I need to get to start developing? I suppose I would need to get an actual smartphone to do final checkout of any app, with a carrier for the internet. I currently use TracFone when I'm in the USA, so I don't know what would be available for me - and I spend a lot of time abroad in Eastern Europe, and I'd rather not deal with using a service there, so I would probably only release a product once I have tested it in the USA. I would really rather only do apps that don't deal with the internet (perhaps a limited market, I know), so that would not be
Objective - C could be challenge for starters but XCode is a very useful IDE and once you get the point Obj - C is fairly easy as well. I agree with copying successful apps to make money in short time. You can check Angry Chicks App as an example. Its a joke but very successful. If you want to develop 2D games for IOS and Android at the same time, I strongly recommend Corona SDK, coding is in LUA language, which is very easy to learn. SDK is perfect and physics engine rocks. http://www.anscamobile.com/corona/[^]
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Probably with your background windows phone is a better option to start out with. Silverlight would be easy for you to get into. Each platform has it's advantages and disadvantages. Google's lack of control and 'free' view makes it hard to sell apps; and I know of no one making a living from google app sales. 85% of app sales happen on the Apple platform. But, with Google you'll be making some money with 'ad views'. Unfortunately, windows phone market share has been shrinking. Less than 4% right now, but less competition for app sales. Then you have Microsoft opening their windows store next year... could be some money there. I think your platform strategy should revolve around your overall career goals. If you are looking for a job, .net + windows phone may be doable. There is a demand for both iPhone and android developers for actual paying gigs as well. If you are going to try to make a living with apps, iPhone is still tops. I don't see that yet with Android. Although, maybe amazon will help with making the store experience more appealing for android users. I have read that windows phone is making money for some though. On apple's platform, this is the order of top earners: mac apps make the most, followed by iPad apps, then iPhone apps.
Cheers, Shawn Arney iOS Professional Developer & Trainer Learn iPhone Apps at: www.LearnApps.Org
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I'm a severely underemployed classic VC++ & .NET Winforms C# developer looking to get back into the game. It seems the game these days is smartphone apps. As can be seen by my experience, I have always been a Microsoftie as it used to get me corporate clients through job shops. However, for quite some time, aside from the occasional local client small job I get through word of mouth from my friends and acquaintances, I have been unable to find work. I mean NOTHING! :(( Now that I have gone through Chapter 7 bankruptcy, I am ready to become a productive member of society again. So it looks like smartphone development is a big structural change in the market, and what I like most about it is that it allows me to be an entrepreneur developer, where I build and app, and hopefully some folks like it and pay me (and after having some experience self developing, I may be able to get some juicy corporate work again. :-O ) As for as my development experience, aside from the C++, C# & .NET, I know basic HTML (like 1.0? :laugh:), a little SQL, a little ASP.NET 2.0, and virtually no Javascript or DOM. It seems that if I want to do web-enabled stuff, at the bare minimum, I need to learn HTML 5, and probably the latest Javascript & DOM (perhaps there is some subset of these that are applicable for mobile apps?) After this, I have no idea where to proceed. I suppose the first major decision is like the one I made years ago, when I decided to go to the "dark side" and become a Microsoftie, in which I need to decide exactly which platform to develop - iPhone, Android, Windows 7, etc. I know for iPhone, I would need to learn Objective-C, and would presume that Windows 7 uses C# and .NET to some extent. I would really rather stay away from Microsoft, as it seems that they always like to change the development stack every few years :mad:, and I don't like the tight control that Apple has always had, so I guess it is Android for me. Next is what type of IDE and API would I need to get to start developing? I suppose I would need to get an actual smartphone to do final checkout of any app, with a carrier for the internet. I currently use TracFone when I'm in the USA, so I don't know what would be available for me - and I spend a lot of time abroad in Eastern Europe, and I'd rather not deal with using a service there, so I would probably only release a product once I have tested it in the USA. I would really rather only do apps that don't deal with the internet (perhaps a limited market, I know), so that would not be
I suggest you Android, download a SDK, install it on eclipse then you can begin your adventure. Looking some way for flash applications is always usefull beacause it is platform independant : I suggest you Flex you'd be confortable with since you are a dot net developper. To spped up your development process you should get code snippets from available tutorial and simple and make puzzle programming :). Good luck. EL GAABEB.