OK, I'm brand new at this but want to learn a lot. Asking for people that are either new like me or experienced developers - what are some good ideas for apps when you're starting out? Not really looking for anything vague, or "use your imagination" answers because there's just way too many apps that COULD be developed. Just maybe looking for some kick-start ideas that are good for newbies.

Anyone can make an app. Not every app has something worth publishing. Mark Twain said everyone has one good story. What's your story (app). Get the content together, then you'll know how to design the app. Sorry it it's too much a use your imagination answer, but I see it more as a play your strong card answer. If you're good at research then check out what's tending and build a better mousetrap. Fred

That's actually great advice. Thanks! I'm starting to think of ideas related just to things I like to do, that way I have a little more invested in how the app turns out.

Now for the actual app building process you might check out my article The Buzztouch Process, a how to for building your Buzztouch app. Find it at: www.MySkylla.com Fred

"Anyone can make an app. Not every app has something worth publishing. Mark Twain said everyone has one good story. What's your story (app)." Excellent advice! The days of the magic fart app getting tons of downloads and making the developers huge amount of money are gone. In order to get noticed these days, you actually have to create an app that people want, and that is visually striking. It has to show some professionalism, and give people a reason to come back to it over and over again. If you meet all those requirements, you "might" be able to get a person to spend 99 cents on it! And that only applies to iOS. Android users are notorious for not wanting to pay a single cent for their apps, which means you pretty much have to make money on advertising. And that requires that the user opens the app multiple times (or thousands of users open it just a few times) in order to make revenue. Very tough to make a lot of money these days with apps. My advice would be to try and make apps that you would use and find useful. Things that you enjoy doing, or address a hole in information that is available. And it should be fun for you to put together! Hope this helps a bit. You already have the link to my Android Guide. Feel free to continue posting questions like these...they get people thinking and talking! Mark

Hi Robeerto, Mark and Fred are hitting some great points here. And to think of it, my first app was about biking, because this is what I enjoy. So I thought it would help other cyclists if I build an app for us. And it did(according to the reviews and download numbers) On another note... Even if my dev history started back in the iFart apps era, I can't tell if I could have thought about doing this kind of app. So I often have the "why didn't I think about that?" moment about many apps out there. Just think outside the box, do your homework and you should be fine. Step up from the crowd in order to get a bigger picture and don't be afraid to experiment. Best of luck mate!

Great point, Vali! Another thing to consider...if you see an app out there that you like, but feel it can be done better...that's an opportunity as well. Not every app has to be original...it can be an improvement on a current one as well (so long as you don't steal any of their design or info!). Mark

Regarding fart app, should I think of a new twist (unlikely) that will bring me millions of downloads and many riches along side I'll be happy to make one. But it's also about timing, I've had many ideas someone else independently came up with (I didn't publish it so I know they didn't steal it from me), but either way I had it too early or to late. Or perhaps I didn't know how market it properly or take the time to market it. But I think we always will have them and always had them. Cavemen probably had them. Wonder how the Space Shuttle crew deals with them. But, I'll stick with just making a better mousetrap. Fred

Just to add my two cents....I think in Buzztouch your best app would be a map related app. Quizzes are great too but only work in iOS.

Hi Susan! Not any more! Quizzes, as of today, are supported in v2.0 for both Android and iOS! http://www.buzztouch.com/forum/thread.php?tid=6B8FF115240F352F9A2244E&currentPage=1 Mark

Excellent!