by Geoff Livingston
Every smart internet marketer and company wants to deploy mobile apps, starting with that hot and shiny iPhone app. Yet the cost of developing iPhone applications (as well as applications for the Blackberry and Android platforms) can be cost prohibitive. AppMakr changed the iPhone application paradigm today with the launch of its $200 development service.
Along with prominent bloggers Seth Godin, Guy Kawasaki, Robert Scoble and Jeff Jarvis, I was given a free whirl on the AppMakr service. The resulting application is the Greenversation app, which gathers the latest posts from my favorite environmental information resources. I originally compiled the list for a Live Earth/Blog Action day post last fall. You can download the Greenversation app from the iTunes store now.
A few thoughts on this groundbreaking service. It definitely democratizes iPhone apps, and makes them accessible to every person. Of course to do it cheap — like a free blog on the Blogger or WordPress service — you have to publish under the AppMakr name. Owning your application costs a little more ($499), similar to developing a blog on your own hosting service.
Like other social media content platforms, development is pretty easy for the none iPhone savvy. Users enter a website URL or keywords and AppMakr will create a sample iPhone app built from that content. Users can then customize the iPhone application by:
- Adding content feeds, including Twitter, RSS, iTunes podcast, Flickr, YouTube, Blogger, mp4, and others
- Changing the app’s branding, including the icon, splash screen, tab icons, header image, and text colors
- Monetizing the app by charging for it on iTunes, or by adding ads from AdMob, Medialets, DoubleClick and Google AdSense
By no means does this replace a full-on application developed with a specific organizational purpose. But it is an extremely cost effective way to make sure your brand’s content is easily accessible to iPhone users without redeveloping everything for the platform. In that sense, I think the AppMakr service is a no brainer for most small companies and nonprofits.
If you are interested in trying out AppMakr and want to do it for just $50, here’s your chance. The service has a special launch offer for Buzz Bin readers. Here are the details:
- Coupon name – LIVINGSTON
- Coupon amount – $150 off the $199 price of making an app
- Coupon valid through – 1/18/10
Does AppMakr provide metrics based on use, etc?
Christmas again so soon?? This is very cool!!!! Thank you!
We’ve taken some time to write an in-depth blog post on the argument for fully native apps vs. just mobile web apps: http://blog.appmakr.com/web-apps-vs-native-apps
- DROdio
At last a tool that can help and cut the cost for
developing applications for the iphone without ending up broke.
Wow! thanks for sharing. i’d like to try it. although i am currently happy with the website which was set-up by Prova, i’d like to know what other ways i could further grow my business. thanks again.
AppMakr might be right for you, might not. Each service has limitations, like AppMakr apps won’t run on the 1st Generation iPod Touch, although they won’t say why (besides “hardware incompatibility”, for an RSS Reader???????). I have no affiliation, but read this review of two dozen app dev options: http://blog.appsfire.com/want-to-build-an-app-here-are-your-options