Developing an application, where to go?

[mz100]

Sorry if this is in the wrong section.

I am basically looking for some general advice from either a developer or someone who knows about developing.

I have IMO a great idea for a mobile phone application, not just for the iPhone. But for Android, Windows 7, blackberry, etc. I am not going to share what the idea is on here but that isn't really relevant.

First off, I have no computer/mobile application programming skills.
My question is, if someone has a good idea for a mobile application are there any reputable mobile development companies that will take in ideas from a nobody (me lol)

The app would be cross platform and function the same way on all devices.

Where do I start? Are there business's that help formulate a solid application design, and then contact programmers to write it?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[saberahul]

Sorry if this is in the wrong section.

I am basically looking for some general advice from either a developer or someone who knows about developing.

I have IMO a great idea for a mobile phone application, not just for the iPhone. But for Android, Windows 7, blackberry, etc. I am not going to share what the idea is on here but that isn't really relevant.

First off, I have no computer/mobile application programming skills.
My question is, if someone has a good idea for a mobile application are there any reputable mobile development companies that will take in ideas from a nobody (me lol)

The app would be cross platform and function the same way on all devices.

Where do I start? Are there business's that help formulate a solid application design, and then contact programmers to write it?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

You said you have no skills. You should get the dummies books (I found them helpful) and start reading them. Once you obtain basic knowledge, you may try building some simple applications before working your way up to the more complex one. As far as I understand, you can't learn programming unless you actually do it - so read the basics and understand the ideas behind functions, if/then statements, and so on and then get your hands dirty. I'm sure there is much to be found on google as well.
Yes, there are companies but I'd suggest not doing that.

 

[mz100]

You said you have no skills. You should get the dummies books (I found them helpful) and start reading them. Once you obtain basic knowledge, you may try building some simple applications before working your way up to the more complex one. As far as I understand, you can't learn programming unless you actually do it - so read the basics and understand the ideas behind functions, if/then statements, and so on and then get your hands dirty. I'm sure there is much to be found on google as well.
Yes, there are companies but I'd suggest not doing that.

Thanks for the input.
I am a college student though and don't really have time to learn programming, I am not interested in learning programming either, the app would require a lot of skill, that I simply don't have time for right now.

 

[nostresshere]

There are a multitude of reasons that applications often do not work across all platforms. For someone with no programming skills to say there application will work is naive.

Too many people think this stuff is too easy.

I am guessing, but I bet whatever it is you are talking about already exists on at least one of the platforms.

 

[neko girl]

Check out this Stanford course on iOS programming:
http://www.stanford.edu/class/cs193p/cgi-bin/drupal/

Video for the coursework is also available for free on iTunes U (recently updated).

 

[maflynn]

Where do I start? Are there business's that help formulate a solid application design, and then contact programmers to write it?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the input.
I am a college student though and don't really have time to learn programming, I am not interested in learning programming either, the app would require a lot of skill, that I simply don't have time for right now.

The cost of hiring a programmer and presumably a graphic artist (you'll need to have good looking graphics) could very well outstrip the cost any potential you could make on sales.

The problem you'll run into is the fact that each of those platforms are extremely different from a developer's perspective and requires lots of indepth skill. You may be able to find an iOS developer who has experience writing for android but you may be hard pressed to find one that knows all three. That means you'll need to hire 2 to 3 programmers.

Being a college student, will you be able to afford paying someone 50 to 100 or even 200 dollars an hour to write code?

if you don't have the time to invest in learning to program, will you have time to invest in your idea in the first place?

 

[VulchR]

There are a multitude of reasons that applications often do not work across all platforms. For someone with no programming skills to say there application will work is naive...Too many people think this stuff is too easy...

I second that. As undergraduates my friend and I invented iTunes in the late 1980's but the technology simply wasn't there.

However, having said that, a good idea should be pursued and if you think the idea is actually that good then you should take the plunge of investing a proper amount of time in it.

 

[fuzion11]

I second that. As undergraduates my friend and I invented iTunes in the late 1980's but the technology simply wasn't there.

However, having said that, a good idea should be pursued and if you think the idea is actually that good then you should take the plunge of investing a proper amount of time in it.

I know what you mean, last week I invented HeadBook...unfortunately some dude ripped off my idea and named FaceBook! What a rip!!


But seriously OP, I've been thinking of a great physics based game on my own...it's a great idea, a catchy idea and I think it would really take off. Unfortunately just like you I don't have the skills to develop it myself. I did receive advise from someone to read "objective C for dummies" try reading that first and see where you sit with your idea after that.

 

[ghayenga]

Thanks for the input.
I am a college student though and don't really have time to learn programming, I am not interested in learning programming either, the app would require a lot of skill, that I simply don't have time for right now.

In which case you probably can't afford to pay someone to turn your great idea into an actual app either.

People with those skills generally have more paying work than time to do it in.