» Blog http://www.tapptics.com A convenient set of tools and resources to help you develop and design mobile applications for iPhone, iPad, and Android platforms. Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:46:57 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 What is Tapptics Missing? http://www.tapptics.com/tapptics-missing/ http://www.tapptics.com/tapptics-missing/#comments Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:35:22 +0000 Jen http://www.tapptics.com/?p=3816 Hey all Jen here :)

2011 is coming to a close and I’m wondering “What did I miss this year?” How can I make Tapptics an even better resource next year?

So instead of walking down the street to our local psychic, I decided to just ASK y’all!!

In the comments section below, leave me [...]]]> Hey all Jen here :)

2011 is coming to a close and I’m wondering “What did I miss this year?” How can I make Tapptics an even better resource next year?

So instead of walking down the street to our local psychic, I decided to just ASK y’all!!

In the comments section below, leave me your ideas on things you would like to see added to Tapptics in the coming months:

  • Courses or Lessons to add to existing courses
  • Design Templates
  • Themes
  • Icons

or just ask a question!

Thanks and I hope everyone has a fun and restful holiday with your family! jen :)

]]> http://www.tapptics.com/tapptics-missing/feed/ 7 iOS Development Training by Pragmatic Studios http://www.tapptics.com/ios-development-training-pragmatic-studios/ http://www.tapptics.com/ios-development-training-pragmatic-studios/#comments Wed, 12 Oct 2011 23:09:30 +0000 Jen http://www.tapptics.com/?p=2146 Getting started in the field of mobile app development can be (depending on your programmatic background) a pretty daunting task. Any dev I’ve ever worked with that’s “made the switch” from a web coding background to Objective C remarks on the radically different programming environment.

For this reason, I’ve started researching various iOS training resources to [...]]]> Getting started in the field of mobile app development can be (depending on your programmatic background) a pretty daunting task. Any dev I’ve ever worked with that’s “made the switch” from a web coding background to Objective C remarks on the radically different programming environment.

For this reason, I’ve started researching various iOS training resources to keep y’all informed of classes available across the country for learning iOS mobile development.

For those of you based on the East Coast or near Virginia, looking for in-person instruction on how to create full-featured iPhone or iPad apps, take a look at:

Pragmatic Studios iPhone/iPad Programming Course

First thing, scroll all the way to the bottom of this page and check out the instructors. Whether you recognize these guys names or not – they know their shizzle. Believe me, I’ve seen some of them teach at conferences and they not only know their stuff, they’re also great teachers.

I won’t re-post their entire page, but here are some highlights:

  • Their October sessions are sold out, but there is still availability in their Nov 29 – Dec 2 classes
  • The entire course has been updated to encompass the latest iOS 5 SDK
  • They start at the basics and work up to more advanced stuff like Drawing and Animation
Check out some of the apps their former students have created, and they also have some free training videos to get you started before you attend.
Who should attend? If you’ve never programmed in your life, do not sign up for this class. If you’re a programmer looking to diversify your skill set into mobile – bam, this is for you.
]]> http://www.tapptics.com/ios-development-training-pragmatic-studios/feed/ 0 How to Create a Successful Mobile App – Webinar http://www.tapptics.com/how-to-create-a-successful-mobile-app-webinar/ http://www.tapptics.com/how-to-create-a-successful-mobile-app-webinar/#comments Thu, 30 Jun 2011 20:44:35 +0000 Jen http://www.tapptics.com/?p=2022 Well I thought the webinar was being recorded but… it didn’t. :( sorry about that. Will definitely get that figured out for the next webinar which it seems people are excited about.

Below is a copy of the powerpoint we talked about. If you have ideas on topics you’d like to discuss for the next [...]]]> Well I thought the webinar was being recorded but… it didn’t. :( sorry about that. Will definitely get that figured out for the next webinar which it seems people are excited about.

Below is a copy of the powerpoint we talked about. If you have ideas on topics you’d like to discuss for the next webinar, please leave your ideas in the comments below – tks! jen :)

How to Create a Successful App


 

]]> http://www.tapptics.com/how-to-create-a-successful-mobile-app-webinar/feed/ 3 App Cooker – An Incredible iOS Mockup Tool http://www.tapptics.com/app-cooker-an-incredible-ios-mockup-tool/ http://www.tapptics.com/app-cooker-an-incredible-ios-mockup-tool/#comments Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:52:07 +0000 Jen http://www.tapptics.com/?p=1990

When I first heard about AppCooker I thought “ok cool another iPad mockup tool”. Ummm… not quite.

First let’s enumerate the problems entrepreneurs and developers often encounter in the app creation process:

They don’t know, or neglect to make a plan for how to make money They do not understand the process of making an app [...]]]>

When I first heard about AppCooker I thought “ok cool another iPad mockup tool”. Ummm… not quite.

First let’s enumerate the problems entrepreneurs and developers often encounter in the app creation process:

  1. They don’t know, or neglect to make a plan for how to make money
  2. They do not understand the process of making an app and what makes a successful app
  3. They don’t know how to organize the flow of the functionality/mockups

What I love about App Cooker is they have taken a wholistic view of how to create an app. It’s not just a mockup tool it also include a bunch of other cool features to keep people from wasting enormous amounts of time and money on app ideas that suck or won’t make money.

Define. Describe. Refine.

 

This is an incredibly helpful place to start when you’re in the early phases of brainstorming your app idea. You’re first prompted to create a “Product Definition Statement” that clearly defines what the app does and who it is for.

Rarely do people create a PDS, and this is how app development gets out of control. If you can create a PDS, tape it to the wall, and design and develop around that single goal, you will be way ahead of 90% of app developers.

On the right column you are also prompted to think about 5 key areas that help you evaluate the potential for success:

  1. Idea
  2. Newness
  3. Ergonomy
  4. Graphics
  5. Interactivity

Based on your star ratings for these areas, the app gives you feedback on the feasibility of your app idea.

Is Your App Idea Cost Effective?

 

This is my favorite area of the app. They do a great job of helping you:

  • define and track the costs of developing your app idea
  • define monetization strategies
  • calculate the profitability potential of the app

Store Submission Info

 

App Cooker does a great job of giving you tips within the app so that when you get ready to submit your app to Apple, you’re not left scrambling to define:

  • your keywords
  • app description
  • store name
  • categories it should live in

Mockup

The obvious feature App Cooker provides is a mockup tool, which is incredibly robust. Not only does it allow you to build out individual screens, it also allows you to arrange them to be navigable and to switch orientation.

Conclusion

AppCooker isn’t just a mockup app, it’s a business tool that anyone serious about making apps should have in their toolkit. In fact, you should pick it up now while it’s still at its $19.99 introductory price, (even though it is still worth the $50 they will eventually charge).

Let me know if you’ve found this review helpful in the comments below!

]]> http://www.tapptics.com/app-cooker-an-incredible-ios-mockup-tool/feed/ 8 ShareKit – A Fast Way to add Sharing Features to Your App http://www.tapptics.com/sharekit-a-fast-way-to-add-sharing-features-to-your-app/ http://www.tapptics.com/sharekit-a-fast-way-to-add-sharing-features-to-your-app/#comments Tue, 24 May 2011 09:00:03 +0000 Jen http://www.tapptics.com/?p=1974

Periodically I run across really cool plugins that make developers lives a lot easier.

ShareKit is one of those tools. It’s a framework that you can drop into any iPhone or iPad app and instantly get full sharing capabilities. Best of all, it’s free!

]]>

Periodically I run across really cool plugins that make developers lives a lot easier.

ShareKit is one of those tools. It’s a framework that you can drop into any iPhone or iPad app and instantly get full sharing capabilities. Best of all, it’s free!

]]> http://www.tapptics.com/sharekit-a-fast-way-to-add-sharing-features-to-your-app/feed/ 3 App Re-Launch Part 2 – Revival Strategy http://www.tapptics.com/app-re-launch-part-2-%e2%80%93-revival-strategy/ http://www.tapptics.com/app-re-launch-part-2-%e2%80%93-revival-strategy/#comments Mon, 23 May 2011 17:04:22 +0000 Jen http://www.tapptics.com/?p=1944

 

In Part 1 of the “App Re-Launch” Series, I gave an overview of the type of app that is a good candidate for re-launch. In this post I’m going to detail the relaunch strategy and explain reasoning behind the decision-making process.

Popper! originally launched as a free/paid (99¢) combo, before in-app purchase even [...]]]>

 

In Part 1 of the “App Re-Launch” Series, I gave an overview of the type of app that is a good candidate for re-launch. In this post I’m going to detail the relaunch strategy and explain reasoning behind the decision-making process.

Popper! originally launched as a free/paid (99¢) combo, before in-app purchase even existed. I explored the option of making Popper! free and having in-app purchase to get additional levels, but was stopped dead in my tracks by:

  1. the cost to add in-app purchase from a development standpoint
  2. I would have to re-design portions the app to have the in-app purchase flow properly
  3. we would need to add a LOT more levels (the app is currently at only 15 levels) to have the in-app purchase make sense

K, I’m going to sidebar for a second. For those of you building NEW apps right now, consider the points during your development process. Thinking ahead to incorporate multiple ways to monetize your app from the BEGINNING of your design/development process will save you tons of time and money reworking things later. Even if you don’t use every monetization method right away, at least you have the app structured in a way that makes it easy to add later!

Ok I’m back. So all of the above points made it financially unwise to do in-app purchase, and I’d already gone the free/paid route. This led to me to:

Totally free, make money from ad revenue, and advertise the app via mobile ad network.

I came to this decision because one of my best moneymakers is a free app with ads called Doodle Bright. It makes about $500 a month via AdMob and requires zero attention on my part.

So what ad network to choose? I’ve used a multitude of ad networks (iAds, Admob, Mobclix) and ad aggregating services like AdWhirl. Lately I’ve settled on Admob, but I wanted to experiment with a new network, InMobi.

So I contacted my whiz-bang developer do two things to update Popper!:

  1. Update with retina graphics
  2. Install the InMobi SDK to allow their ads to flow into the app (see directions for doing that here)

All total the updates cost me around $1400. What’s next…?

The Launch Plan.

In the next post in this series I’ll be talking through the launch plan and the plan for Popper! to get back on the gravy train!

]]> http://www.tapptics.com/app-re-launch-part-2-%e2%80%93-revival-strategy/feed/ 3 How to Integrate the InMobi Ad Network into Your iPhone App http://www.tapptics.com/how-to-integrate-the-inmobi-ad-network-into-your-iphone-app-2/ http://www.tapptics.com/how-to-integrate-the-inmobi-ad-network-into-your-iphone-app-2/#comments Mon, 23 May 2011 16:58:17 +0000 Bob Donovan http://www.tapptics.com/?p=1963

Integrating InMobi in an iPhone app was really easy. Just follow these simple steps.

Step 1 : Account Registration

Start by creating a new InMobi account at the following URL: https://www.inmobi.com/app/registration.html. You can then login and then select the Publisher section using the link at the bottom left in the following screen shot.

[...]]]>

Integrating InMobi in an iPhone app was really easy. Just follow these simple steps.

Step 1 : Account Registration

Start by creating a new InMobi account at the following URL: https://www.inmobi.com/app/registration.html. You can then login and then select the Publisher section using the link at the bottom left in the following screen shot.

Step 2 : App Registration

From there you can register your app by selecting MySites/Apps and then iPhone App from the drop down menu. Just fill up the information by providing your app bundle ID and App Store URL.

Click ‘Continue’ to retrieve your InMobi App ID. You most use this App ID later in your integration of the app.

Step 3 : SDK Download

You can then download the iOS SDK from Publisher Area. Just select ‘iOS SDK’ from the Downloads section on the left.

The InMobi iOS SDK contains the code required to integrate InMobi ads within you iOS application . Carefully read the iOS SDK integration guidelines before your start the integration.

Step 4 : Add InMobi SDK files to project

Add the the following files from the SDK Bundle to your project:

• InMobiAdDelegate.h

• InMobiAdView.h

• InMobiEnumTypes.h

  • libInMobi_iOS.a

Step 5 : Add Required iOS Frameworks

You need to add CoreGraphics, CoreLocation and QuartzCore frameworks to your projects as well as UIKit and Foundation frameworks.

Step 6 – Declare InMobiAdDelegate and InMobiAdView instance

Import InMobiAdDelegate.h, InMobiAdView.h and InMobiEnumTypes.h in your UIViewController derivate class .h file. Declare InMobiAdDelegate protocol and an InMobiAdView instance.

Step 7 – AdView Instantiation and Protocol Methods Definition

Add the following code in your UIViewController derivate class (in our case we wanted the banner to appear at the bottom):

- (void)viewDidLoad {
[super viewDidLoad];
self.adView = [InMobiAdView requestAdUnit:INMOBI_AD_UNIT_320x48 withDelegate:self]];
[self.view addSubview:self.adView];
adView.center = CGPointMake(0, 480-48);
[self.adView loadNewAd];
}
- (NSString *)siteId;
{
return @"xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx";//this should be prefilled.
}
- (UIViewController *)rootViewControllerForAd;
{
return self;
}

replace the siteId by your own InMobi App ID found on the InMobi site.

Step 8 – Test the Integration

That’s it you will now see a nice banner at the bottom of your app which will hopefully generate tons of ads revenues…

 

]]> http://www.tapptics.com/how-to-integrate-the-inmobi-ad-network-into-your-iphone-app-2/feed/ 3 App Re-Launch Part 1 – Reviving an Old App Whose Sales Have Flatlined http://www.tapptics.com/app-relaunch-part-1-reviving-an-old-app-whose-sales-have-flatlined/ http://www.tapptics.com/app-relaunch-part-1-reviving-an-old-app-whose-sales-have-flatlined/#comments Thu, 19 May 2011 18:30:41 +0000 Jen http://www.tapptics.com/?p=1930

 

Is your once thriving app barely clinging to life in the App Store?

Or is it just my apps…? ;)

In this article I’m going to take y’all through a good old-fashioned “App Revival” to see if it is possible to breathe life into “old” but quality apps.

I’ve been putting off this [...]]]>

 

Is your once thriving app barely clinging to life in the App Store?

Or is it just my apps…? ;)

In this article I’m going to take y’all through a good old-fashioned “App Revival” to see if it is possible to breathe life into “old” but quality apps.

I’ve been putting off this experiment because there’s a 50/50 chance the money I spend “reviving” this sucker will be wasted. We shall see.

One of the best apps I ever launched is Popper!, a really fun breaker game that is crazily addictive. When it first launched it was on iTunes “What’s Hot” for about 15 minutes until it mysteriously disappeared…? Seriously that’ is not a joke. (Insert vomit here.)

The stats on the original launch of Popper!:

  • Launched in 2009
  • Free (lite) version with 5 levels and ads via AdMob
  • Paid version with 15 levels + OpenFeint scoreboard – 99¢
  • On App Store What’s Hot for 15 minutes (vomit)
  • About 6 reviews from good app blogs (before they became overrun with requests and paid for their opinions)
  • Development cost: $5 – 7,000 created using OpenGL
  • Revenue for 12 months: around $5 – 8,000 (for app sales + ad revenue)

Popper! is a great example of a quality app that has a lot of fans but never hit it big in the app store. Profitable, but not a ringer. See the TouchArcade review here.

So, is it possible to wring a few more dollars out of an app that has a strong foundation but needs a few upgrades? We’re gonna find out. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series where I will dive into the details of the re-launch strategy!

Have you relaunched an app with great results? Tell us your story in the comments below!

]]> http://www.tapptics.com/app-relaunch-part-1-reviving-an-old-app-whose-sales-have-flatlined/feed/ 6 Does Your App Really Need a Website? http://www.tapptics.com/does-your-app-really-need-a-website/ http://www.tapptics.com/does-your-app-really-need-a-website/#comments Thu, 14 Apr 2011 14:36:22 +0000 Jen http://www.tapptics.com/?p=1880

Ridiculous question I know. Of course your app needs a website, right?

The problem is creating a website to advertise your app feels like doing laundry. Like, “Crap! I’m out of clothes!” scurry to pull something together.

In this post I’m going to show you HOW to do your laundry before you run out [...]]]>

Ridiculous question I know. Of course your app needs a website, right?

The problem is creating a website to advertise your app feels like doing laundry. Like, “Crap! I’m out of clothes!” scurry to pull something together.

In this post I’m going to show you HOW to do your laundry before you run out of clothes. Quickly, inexpensively and without a bunch of hassle!

Why Does Your App Need a Website?

Even though we all agree promoting your app is important, I’m always surprised by how few apps have a dedicated webpage! Which is good news for YOU reading this article. Why? Because if you DO create a page for your app you’re already in an “elite” category of developers who have taken the time to stand out from your competitors.

Think about what having a dedicated webpage says to your target audience(s):

Bloggers and journalists:

It says don’t ignore me. This app is of superior quality (even if it isn’t). You’re telling them you value their time by putting everything they need to know one one page. They love that stuff.

Potential customers:

It says “I you care about what you want. I want for you to fully understand how this product will impact your life before you buy it.”

Existing customers:

It says “I’m not hiding from you, your feedback or your feature requests.”

The App Store’s containment of sales/clicks/reviews and comments can make you feel very isolated from your customers.

Having a webpage for your app allows you to find your customers (or them to find you) and and have a one-on-one conversation with them, outside of the App Store walls!

Creating a Website is a P.I.T.A.

Let’s face it, we spend so much time in the ideation, design and development of our apps when it comes down to making a website we’re mentally baked, right?

So here we are again, looking at the pile of dirty laundry that needs tending.

But guess what?

You don’t need an entire “website” to advertise your app, all you need is ONE PAGE.

A Landing Page is BETTER

Huh? What’s a landing page?

For those of your unfamiliar with the term “landing page” it’s basically a one-page website, laser focused on selling your product.

“But what about my blog, my company info page, my contact page, my support page?!?!?!?”

You don’t need all that, remember you’re selling something here. What you need is not a website, it’s a sales page!

If you’re still not convinced, think about the primary objective of your app’s page:

Is it to sell bloggers/journalists/customers on your company? No.

Is it to engage them on your blog? No.

Is it to educate them on your app? Yes.

Is it to sell more apps? Yes.

This is why a landing page is better than a full-blown site for your app, it dials in on exactly what your users want to know, and exactly what action you want them to perform (buy or write about your app!)

Here’s a Real Life Example

In preparing for the launch of Celebrity Mashup Replace Your Face, I was excited when I ran across a WordPress theme designed specifically for iPhone apps. Yaaay! My prayers answered finally a quick and dirty way to slap up a decent looking page for my app.

Wrong.

If you don’t have experience installing WordPress on your server, installing themes, adjusting HTML/CSS files you will have to hire a programmer to skin this theme.

[see money flying out window]

After 4 days of fussing over customizing my iPhone theme, I finally got it online.

Enter Unbounce

So I sign up for my 30-day free trial of Unbounce. I am skeptical. The dozens of “design your website without programming” products I’ve tried in the past have all sucked. Why will this be any different?

Well. It just IS. I don’t know the technical in’s and out’s of how Unbounce works and I don’t care. All I know is when I design an Unbounce page:

  • I have have it ready in a matter of hours.
  • It goes live instantly without a bunch of domain/hosting drama.
  • I don’t need to know a lick of code.
  • It looks good across all browsers.
  • I can add forms, videos, pictures all of the things the page needs!

I created this page for my iBrite iPad app in one day, competely new to the Unbounce platform:

Bam. Done. Do you see clothes mountain disappearing too?

Top 6 Things That Must be on Your Page

So we have a super easy, inexpensive way of getting our app webpage online. Now what?

You need to fill it with content that sells your app!

Check out Mobile Guru and App Savvy author Ken Yarmosh’s post on how Unbounce pages work for devs here.

Luckily Unbounce has “Mobile App Sales Page Templates” that are dialed in on what people are most interested in when learning about your app, PLUS what you as a business want to achieve:

What your users want:

  • Bullet points of what your app will do for them (or their readers, in the case of bloggers/journalists)
  • Video demo
  • Screenshots
  • Social proof (via twitter feed) that shows others find the app useful
  • Bios that prove you’re human
  • Contact info for press inquiries or support

What you want:

  • Strong app branding in the upper left corner
  • Demonstration of value app brings (via video/screenshots)
  • Engagement with customer base (via twitter/contact email)
  • Multiple, prominent Calls to Action (buy this app!)

Check out Oli Gardner’s in depth post about the benefits of include these elements on your page. Oli is an online marketing expert so it’s a must read!

Sign up for Unbounce’s 30 day free trial to and use the Mobile App Sales Page Templates to quickly get a sales page up for your app. If you’re like me, you won’t regret it.

FYI – I am NOT Getting Paid by Unbounce to Write this Post

If you check out the Mobile App Sales Page Templates you’ll see they’re designed by me. Let me be clear that I am not getting paid by Unbounce to write this post, nor did I get paid to design the themes.

I created this post and designed those themes because I am a huge fan of Unbounce and the value they have brought to my business’ bottom line.

Sign up for a 30-day free trial of Unbounce. You can cancel at any time, or if you’re happy the service is just $25/mo for the basic plan after the free trial expires.

And, as always I want to hear from you! Leave comments below about your experiences creating pages that help sell your app!

]]> http://www.tapptics.com/does-your-app-really-need-a-website/feed/ 2 Jen I Need App Advice, Can You Help? http://www.tapptics.com/jen-i-need-app-advice-can-you-help/ http://www.tapptics.com/jen-i-need-app-advice-can-you-help/#comments Sat, 19 Mar 2011 15:05:46 +0000 Jen http://www.tapptics.com/?p=1667

Of course! If you feel a phone conversation would better fit your needs than a subscription to Tapptics, just hit the “contact” link at the top of this page and let me know.

I charge $150 for a one-hour consultation and here’s what you get:

Ask me *anything* you want to know about creating [...]]]>

Of course! If you feel a phone conversation would better fit your needs than a subscription to Tapptics, just hit the “contact” link at the top of this page and let me know.

I charge $150 for a one-hour consultation and here’s what you get:

  • Ask me *anything* you want to know about creating apps. I’m happy to share any/all information about the sales of my apps, advertising revenue etc.
  • Send me questions ahead of time so I can quickly respond
  • A .mp3 recording of the session for reference
  • For an extra $50 you get access to the “Idea Person” pack where you can “Post a Job” to get bids on your project, and LOTS of other support resources.

Click the “contact” link at the top of the page to schedule a time to chat!

]]> http://www.tapptics.com/jen-i-need-app-advice-can-you-help/feed/ 0