My first 2.0 App has finally been approved! This app is also my first that is for both Android and iOS in one project. It is called, Think Hopkins, and it is for the little suburb of Minneapolis I live in. It is also a first for me as it is the first app I have made for a client, albeit as a volunteer. Hopkins, Minnesota is a quaint old town that has a long history and an old fashioned Mainstreet. I would truly appreciate downloads and reviews. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/think-hopkins-minnesota/id554549991?mt=8 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thinkhopkins2&hl=en It has been on Google Play for a couple months already, and I had to refile with Apple FOUR TIMES! Here is the long version of the App Store approval saga. The initial app was actually as good as my other apps on the App Store. (It was a lot like my app, Minneapolis Lakes.) Apple rejected the first version because it had a lot of links to other Hopkins websites and lack of functionality. So on the second submission I added a javascript quiz and took out a lot of links. Apple rejected it again anyway. In the meantime, the quiz became available for 2.0, so I cut and paste the entire app to self-hosted 2.0 and added four quizzes and maps for the ArtStreet program in Hopkins. It was rejected again, and this time the reviewer sent me pictures of screens that were loading--one was a of a link to Flickr. I finally deleted the app from ITunes Connect, (took out the Flickr links), and resubmitted it as a new app and it was approved. I am assuming it went to a different reviewer. It was a painful process, but it did force me to keep adding more content and functionality to the app. Lessons learned: 1. App Store approval process is not at all consistent. There is some chance involved in the review process. It may not be your fault if your app is rejected, although it is an opportunity for improvement. 2. Try to avoid linking to websites that are not optimized for mobile or load slowly. (Like Flickr.) 3. Try not to take rejections personally. Learn to accept things that are out of our control, but also to not give up. 4. Add quizzes, maps, and other interactive functions to apps. 5. The App Store is an excellent market. Some of the hassles we go through to get apps to the market is what make the App Store market so strong. It is a honor to have apps on the App Store, because we know they go through a rigorous approval process. Thank you, buzztouch community! I know I asked a lot of questions, and you were always there for me. A special thank you to Mark Fleming and @Sandeep for their help!

Congrats... They both look nice an functional.

Nice work. Totally agree on the review process and it being what distinguishes the 2 markets. I dislike on-line photo galleries in apps as well. if i'm looking at on-line photos then I expect it to be slow but that's because i usually know i went thru a portal like Instagram or Pintrest to view them. When I see the word "Photo Gallery" in an app I expect it to work off-line. Otherwis it's just a link to a slow photo gallery site IMO and I know I'll be done after a few shots and progress indicators..... I'm almost positive that a huge part of the process is the OFF-LINE experience. A good app should work and deliver lots of content off-line. I try to pay a lot of attention to the off-line aspect. Also agree about help from @Sandeep - he's an incredible Androind resource to have around. As i dig into it more I know I'll be lookign for some help :)

Sorry for the duplicate post, everyone. This was a good question that came up in the other post. "Very nice - is there a monetization strategy in your app?" Not for this app, specifically, but I have decided that for me the better money is more likely to come in making apps for clients. So I have decided to make a couple pro bono apps as portfolio items. This app will never directly make money, but I hope that in the bigger picture it will help me to find clients. One of the reasons why I believe so strongly in buzztouch is that we are going to see a new mobile set of expectations for businesses, and buzztouch is the best way to meet that new expectation. Just like every business needs a website, and now a mobile website, businesses will find they need apps to connect with their customers in new ways. I believe we are part of a very young marketplace that will change rapidly and grow exponentially.

One of the reasons why I believe so strongly in buzztouch is that we are going to see a new mobile set of expectations for businesses, and buzztouch is the best way to meet that new expectation. Just like every business needs a website, and now a mobile website, businesses will find they need apps to connect with their customers in new ways. I believe we are part of a very young marketplace that will change rapidly and grow exponentially. So true. Fred

Nice work Susan! I downloaded and rated it. I think you are tapping into some great potential here.

Nice work. I left a rating and will look at every single screen you created. I lived in Hopkins for a while. I may go back for a visit. If I do I will take your app with. Mike