Should You Build an iPhone App? The Data Speaks

Gartner recently reported total annual worldwide smartphone sales of 286.1 million (Nokia - 47%, Blackberry - 17%, and the iPhone -3 %)
Other special iPhone App store data from 31/08/2009 (thanks 148Apps ):
Total number of applications available on iPhone App Store - 72 272
18% of the total number of applications the games
in August 2009 - 7133 applications were submitted to Apple for approval (230/day)
During the past 30 days to an average of 9 days (max 28 days) for Apple to approve (i do live) new applications in the App Store. This is a series of up to 163 days in March 2009.
App Average price - $ 2.49
Average Game Price - $ 1.40
23% of available apps - FREE
45% of available apps - $ 0.99
45% of available apps - $ 0.99
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45% of available apps - $ 0.99
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45% of available apps - $ 0.99
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12% of available apps - $ 1.99
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12% of available apps - $ 1.99
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12% of available apps - $ 1.99
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12% of available apps - $ 1.99
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12% of available apps - $ 1.99
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A few takeaways from the data:
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a list of available iPhone apps are also in the way of hockey stick growth rate score getting lower and significantly increases the opportunities for free.
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with lots of free apps and the possibility of overlap, the successful App publishers will need to provide excellent products, brand leverage, and provide a unique high value.
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with lots of free apps and the possibility of overlap, the successful App publishers will need to provide excellent products, brand leverage, and provide a unique high value.
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Suggestions:
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to think carefully about your goals. Is it to generate revenues, extend brand / product, to capitalize on the marketing of vehicles, etc. Make sure that the strategy here as your total cost of ownership (TCO), not just the cost of development.
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to think carefully about your goals. Is it to generate revenues, extend brand / product, to capitalize on the marketing of vehicles, etc. Make sure that the strategy here as your total cost of ownership (TCO), not just the cost of development.
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do not rely on "If I build it they will come " - Plan for the current resource and time commitment. After you initially launch a product that will likely need ongoing skilled financial, product, mobile development, acquisition and retention of people to build a business. The story of a developer making millions on their self-developed iPhone App is not a rule.
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Find a way to get your product out there quickly. If you have an exceptional and unique concept of mobile and limited resources do not let that stop you. Get resourceful, committed time, and learn how to tolerate less sleep. If you put your mind to it, there are always ways for the right entrepreneurs to get ahead without deep pockets. For example, a company called Swebapps MobileRoadie created, self-service, template based iPhone application development platform that enables non-technical users to build iPhone Apps within an hour. Cost ranges from $ 200 - $ 400 and $ 25 - $ 30/mo. hosting fee. It is much better than the typical $ 10-20k prices on other App developers responsible for building and then the iPhone App.
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