Maybe some of you can enlighten me about something. I put out the first edition of my app, and its pretty basic. I wasn't going to do any marketing for it until I had made some big changes, but I wanted the initial version in the itunes store so it'd be there when I needed it to be. My app went live in the store Sunday morning, and since then its been downloaded more than 300 times. Have you all had this kind of rapid activity? I'm assuming these are people or agencies who just downloaded every new app that comes to the store, but I wasn't expecting this. Just curious....

It is amazing how fast these things get downloaded. Like you mentioned, there are agencies and other's snooping the app store for all kinds of reasons. 300 is normally and expect more shortly (a few weeks). This is exciting though eh' When was the last time you launched a web-site with an instant audience ;-)

The Hoogler, can you post your app name so I can have a sneaky peek? Love seeing what gets in, helps us all. Only have Android to compare and looking at several hundred but the App store is where it as it as a man once said. Ps Think it was SJ though!

Fish Finder. However, its in an infant state. If you've read any of my other posts, you'll have an idea of where its headed. Weather, regulations, info, and individual maps for each location (with 200+ locations to be added) I might actually do a version change soon, so that I can embed iad (or attempt to). Quickly nearing 1000 downloads! :P

Nice one, will take a peek. Was considering a similar type gardening one, then again....

@TheHoogler: Do you have any web-skills? I ask because you could be WELL SERVED by loading your map locations dynamically from your site. This would save you tons of time. I'm just finishing getting this done for another visitor that we worked with to try to orgainze a tutorial. Here's how it works. a) You keep a database or spreadsheet (.csv file) of locations on your server b) You put a simple script (.php) script on your server to read-in the locations c) You create a map, or a menu in your app with the dataURL pointing to this script. (Advanced settings for the screen) d) In this URL, you enter merge fields for deviceLatitude and deviceLongitude so the script can learn where the phone is e) The script outputs menu items, or map locations, 'near' the phone. The distance radius is customizable in the URL f) Tapping a map icon or a menu item loads whatever screen you want by 'nickname' or from your site To take advantage of this you'll need to know how to upload files to your site, manage a list of locations, etc. Works AWESOME!

Unfortunately, I'm not that skilled when it comes to actual code/script writing. My plan was to build an app that I liked, and then recreate it as a fully functioning website (I already know how to do this, just tediously). The problem is that I'm not sure how much time it would save. I generate these locations (gps coord) by actually finding the location on google maps, or in some instances where google can't zoom, by actually logging the location with a gps device. I do this because absolutely none of my locations have address information, as they are often unofficial sites. Also, here in Alaska, there are many road system locations which cannot be viewed clearly with google maps, but would still be useful with GPS coords alone. So, while there may be some time saved by uploading locations from a list, I still have to compile the list, which is in itself very time consuming. I think I might produce this app the way I know how to (because I need to have it fully functional by May 1st). BUT, when I produce the national series of Fish Finders, I'll make sure to learn how to script, and will be running back to you. :) (I do really appreciate the advice) The one thing I'm concerned about: It sounds like you're suggesting a means to have locations only appear if they are within a certain radius of the iphone. While that is part of what I'm doing, I also want people to explore all opportunities statewide. On that note, how will location loading in app affect the speed of the app? So far, the locations load at a reasonable pace, and I don't think the end user will be upset. However, if I load 300+ locations, will it take 5 minutes to load a map?

Sounds like you have it figured out then - cool. The fact that you are manually doing this, with your secret locations, is HUGE and will be the reason your app succeeds. This type of genuine content is exactly what folks want. Hmm... maybe you should SELL access to your most secret fishing holes? Not kidding. Free version gets the public spots. Pay version gets the secrets only a seasoned vet (thats you) knows about. Hundreds of map pins - no sweat. There are plenty of apps that have a 'show all' type map, then other menu options to filter, search, etc. I dropped 500 the other day to see what would happen. No noticable difference other than waiting for the cool animation while all the pins fell from the sky!

What I'll end up doing is putting together an in app purchase section (if I can figure it out) with Jarod's FAVORITE spots and charging for that access. But I want to make it worthwhile first. :) Here's a quick question... Is there anyway to activate the native weather app? I plan on including a weather button for each location, and while I can easily send them to a url, the native app is so much simpler and cleaner. Just a thought :)

Native weather app is offically OFF LIMITS according to Apple. Some license beef with the original developer or something. Long and entertaining story. I've been dreaming up some 'live widgets' for home screens. Little boxes to show slideshows, images, data, weather seems good here. The idea is that this type of home-screen could be super fun to just look at! Like an Android Live Wallpaper screen in your own app. Who knows if I'll ever get to it but it's on the list ;-) I'm thinking a details screen for each location with a Pic, Description, Weather Box, and some links for more deatails, more pics, etc. And... dont' forget.... when we turn on (done, just not on yet) the Upload a Photo feature, you can have your users send pics from the spot they catch em' There's another contest in their somewhere!

An upload photo feature? Where would it upload to (in app or to a website or to facebook,etc? (Getting a user involved in the app is an awesome way to make it relevant, so now you really have my attention :P) My current plan is similar to what you suggested, with the pic being the header image, and a menu list for those other items. I'm actually really excited to get working on it, but I'm balancing that with my soon to be opening tackle rental business. Now, I know that this has been posted about elsewhere, but maybe I can make this a specific question. Here's an example: I start Fish Finder California, and as I did with this current app, I begin by posting numerous public sites (piers and lakes and so forth). I know there are probably hundreds of other spots out there. Now that I know you're introducing an upload photo widget, does that include GPS coords? Lets say a user is standing at a favorite fishing hole, and wants to add his location to my app. Is there a way to introduce a form that would allow him to fill in predetermined fields (species, tackle), have gps automatically calculated, and then have that automatically be loaded into the Fish Finder map for all users to see? It'd be like having users do the work for me, and allows them to participate in the apps functionality. Again, you've been really helpful, and I have a small local audience patiently waiting for the completion of this app.

Your ideas are simliar to ours with the exception of the details entered by the user. Our end would be more of a way to snap a pic (yes, geo included) then add some notes. The 'notes' for you would be fishing related, other apps will use the notes in a different context. So I guess it's the pre-determined fields that were talking about. Not sure how long until we've created a 'form builder' type thing. Very very complex ;-) We'll end up with the photo uploader (it uploads to a URL on your site or our site, eithers fine) with some comments + get and go from there.

Thats sounds like the perfect companion to my upcoming website (which is just like the app, except much more detailed). If you can somehow tie it to facebook, that'd be awesome too (or tell us how). I have a facebook for my webpage, and its settings are open so users can post their fishing photos. But anyways, sounds like great work!