It cost $99/year just to develope an app for my own use?

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Level 1

59 points

It cost $99/year just to develope an app for my own use?

I am starting to use Apple more and more until I wanted to learn how to write an app for my own usage. I didn't realize that Apple charges $99/year so that I can create my own app, on my on time, on my own device, and use my own resource. I just wanted to create a simple math game for my kids and before I can even test the darn thing on my iPhone, I have to shell out $99. This just might be the nail in the coffin for me. Is this practice accross the board for Android and Windows app creators?

iPhone 5, iOS 6.0.1

Posted on Jan 7, 2013 8:41 AM

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Answer 1

etresoft

Level 9

56,326 points

Jan 7, 2013 9:14 AM in response to LCMan

From what I understand, Android is free to use but you would have to pay $25 to access the market (similar to the App Store). Windows is $99 with additional fees for spammers.

Keep in mind that you can always develop web apps for free on any platform. If you are not a full-time developer, that would probably be the easiest route instead of learning Java for Android, whatever Windows is using, or Objective-C for the iPhone. You can join the Safari developer program for free.

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Answer 2

etresoft

Level 9

56,326 points

Jan 7, 2013 8:54 AM in response to LCMan

You only need to pay in order to install software on a real device. You can build and test in the simulator for no charge.

Apple is geared more towards professional developers who consider $99 to be the cheapest development platform they have ever seen. If you are looking for something more friendly to a hobbyist, Android or Windows might be a better idea.

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Answer 3

LCMan Author

Level 1

59 points

Jan 7, 2013 9:00 AM in response to msuper69

Michael Superczynski wrote:

Well, if you abandon the Apple platform over $99, that just leaves more for the rest of us.

Again, I'm not looking for making a profit but if I do, there will be one less of you. I just want to develop an app for my own use nothing more nothing less.

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Answer 4

LCMan Author

Level 1

59 points

Jan 7, 2013 9:03 AM in response to etresoft

etresoft wrote:

You only need to pay in order to install software on a real device. You can build and test in the simulator for no charge.

Apple is geared more towards professional developers who consider $99 to be the cheapest development platform they have ever seen. If you are looking for something more friendly to a hobbyist, Android or Windows might be a better idea.

If Android and Windows is free (othing beats free), that's not to say they're not "professional developers". But thanks for confirming that because I'm not sure if Android and Windows is free. If so, that's where I might move to.

Again, thank you for the response.

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Answer 5

LCMan Author

Level 1

59 points

Jan 7, 2013 9:38 AM in response to etresoft

For Android, I don't have to go through their "app store", right? From what I heard so far, I can just create the app and install it on my device. I could be wrong. I'm in the process of exploring my options here and I'm grateful for your information. I'm a web devolper/designer/programmer, so perhaps web app may be the way to go for now.

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Answer 6

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,254 points

Jan 7, 2013 11:16 AM in response to LCMan

Apple's Safari manuals provide examples of the meta tags needed in the head section to make an HTML5 web application more useful on IOS devices. This includes serving up a custom application icon.

I used the above when I built an HTML5 financial application. As a form-driven app, it generates a scrollable, dynamic table of data that slowly descends via JQuery. When served from Apache on the Mac, it is accessible via IOS Safari, and works well on the iPhone and iPad. With appropriate technology, this would also be accessible via extranet connection via WWAN connection.

Since it is just for you, the HTML5 web app approach would already be familiar with potentially faster turn-around than strangulation through policies.

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Answer 7

msuper69

Level 6

8,705 points

Jan 7, 2013 8:50 AM in response to LCMan

Well, if you abandon the Apple platform over $99, that just leaves more for the rest of us.

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Answer 8

etresoft

Level 9

56,326 points

Jan 7, 2013 10:24 AM in response to LCMan

LCMan wrote:

For Android, I don't have to go through their "app store", right?

No clue. That is a whole different world.

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