iPhone App

[Stevenj214]

Is there any money to be made in simply having an idea for an iPhone App? Without the knowledge to actually create/launch it?

[10JH]

Probably depends if there is a market for the idea and if people will pay for the app.

I reckon it would be pretty hard to make money on a standalone app.

[Beardy10]

I don't see why not...though obviously you would need to get the IP sorted out first before you talked to anyone about it. Then I think you would need to get some kind of Confi drawn up for people to sign when you did approach someone about it. No idea how much that would cost you...the latter is pretty bog standard legal doc so would be cheap not sure about the former.

[Minnsy]

We build a basic 'free' app, then offer upgrade to the 'full' version, which has to be paid for. Critical to the success of app is how to market - we use facebook etc, and through our online channels with some success. Recognised branding on the app helps, as for protecting the app, depends what is it, and what it does.

[RobDickinson]

Honestly an idea is next to worthless. Its implimentation & marketing that scores the money on iTunes.

[10JH]

RobDickinson said:

Honestly an idea is next to worthless. Its implimentation & marketing that scores the money on iTunes.

I agree.

How would people find out about your app?

According to wiki, there are currently over 185,000 apps at the moment.

[Stevenj214]

RobDickinson said:

Honestly an idea is next to worthless. Its implimentation & marketing that scores the money on iTunes.

Thought as much. It could possibly exist already anyway.

The idea was an app which could scan barcodes of books you see when you are browsing bookshops, or being shown by a friend. The book is then saved to a wishlist either on an independent price comparison site or a site like Amazon, where you can buy it at your leisure.

[RizzoTheRat]

Think Google Shopper might have beaten you to it.

[10JH]

Pretty sure RedLaser does that too.

It's a good idea still though in principle. Although you could argue to ethics of it, going into a bookstore and browsing their books, then using your iPhone to buy it online later...

[jon-]

Barcode / EAN number scanning via a phones camera is going to be huge in the future IMHO.

[Chr1sch]

Unfortunately both red lazer and shop savvy do this (the latter is free) however they don't save the lists to be fair

[RobDickinson]

Dont be put off by someone else already doing it though. With what 200,000 apps or so already most likely everything good has already been done.

Plenty money to be made doing it better , slicker, or just funkier tho.

[10JH]

RobDickinson said:

Dont be put off by someone else already doing it though. With what 200,000 apps or so already most likely everything good has already been done.

Plenty money to be made doing it better , slicker, or just funkier tho.

Just think of the original iPod. Didn't do anything new, just did what the competition did but better, slicker and funkier!