Have you considered Titanium, Sencha, PhoneGap or any of the other js -> iOS frameworks?
A dedicated iOS developer would be better, for sure, but maybe there is an intermediary step where you can utilize most of your current functionality into a native app using a framework / compiler.
I've briefly looked into PhoneGap. If this cry for a iOS dev doesn't get me anywhere I will more than likely be going down this road. I know the technology is advancing and that the experience can be nearly the same.
Honestly right now to make something using phonegap that matches or nearly matches the look/feel/quality of a native app is harder imo than just making it in obj-c or c# with monotouch.
I would highly recommend looking at Titanium over PhoneGap. Titanium provides an API to actual native elements, while PhoneGap simply creates a UIWebView wrapper around your code. Nothing beats real Obj-C code, but Titanium comes pretty darn close. From what I hear, Monotouch is another good one, but it sounds like you're already more familiar with JS.
Sounds like this person needs to learn how to become an iOS developer. There is so many tutorials, guides and sample code out there and a very large portion of it is free.
No, it's no easy. No it might not be as fast as getting a seasoned developer, and yes the code might be poor but I hold to the belief if there something you can't find someone to do for you - figure it out and do it yourself.
As someone who's just recently started working on iOS, I agree. It's now relatively easy to get started with even if you don't have much background with stronger-typed, compiled languages, as there's no longer a need to deal with memory management anymore with reference counting.
The real challenge for me was finally deciding what project worked well as a mobile application, as I've wanted to learn for a very long time. Once I finally found one, the rest was relatively easy - although there's been an absurd amount of googling and subsequent browsing of StackOverflow (big surprise). Then again, I've been programming for over a decade now with plenty of OO and MVC experience, so Obj-C/Cocoa was largely just a syntax change rather than this giant new thing.
I've received $25 in donations in the past 2 years. I've sold 0 shirts. I pay out of my own pocket to run tubalr. If donations where to kick up I would without a doubt split them in a fair way with whoever is involved. The owner of the mobile app would be me, whoever made it, and tubalrs.
Have you considered creating a secondary html interface for the website to target phones/tablets? I don't see any functionality of your service that would require a native app. Just a thought.
I actually used to have a ui that worked on mobile devices. Recently I did some ux/ui work and it was just a pain in the ass to make the adjustments. I think the users are wanting something more native feeling than what I used to have as well.
The folks over at sencha created a html5 facebook app that works & feels as good as an iOS native app. There is a video that showcases side by side the native vs the html5.
Again, html5 probably covers all the requirements of your app, if you still wanna get in all the trouble to create native apps for android/ios and that feels easier to you, not much i can say, good luck ^^
Honestly, it's a bit strange to read that while you are actively seeking funding (even if your attempts have fallen through so far), and so are clearly aiming to make a profit in the long term, you expect a developer to work for free.
If this was a nonprofit/open source venture, it might be a different story, but why should a developer (who could pull in 100-200/hr or get salary + significant equity at any number of startups, based on the qualifications you're looking for) put in his or her time for nothing, when any future profits would just go to you as the ceo. You are basically asking a highly skilled, highly paid professional to accept a role as an unpaid intern. Imo, if a skilled developer is willing to invest very valuable time, you should at the very least be putting a big chunk of equity on the table.
I guess I could have been more clear on that part, sorry I was trying to keep it short.
So here's what happened. Tubalr blew up on reddit, several interested investors reached out. One was really close to investing but ended up not going through with it. I never sought out investment myself and have no intentions on doing so.
> why should a developer (who could pull in 100-200/hr or get salary + significant equity at any number of startups, based on the qualifications you're looking for) put in his or her time for nothing
No, you need to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. You are looking for an experience developer with nothing to offer. The only people who will be interesting in helping you are developers who want to get some practice in learning iOS, which is not what you are looking for.
I have no idea what Tubalr is, but if it is a simple CRUD app, then you should be able to learn obj-c, ios SDK and get the app done in a month if you are persistant in working on it (3-4 hours a day after work, and more on the weekends).
FYI, it's not that easy to find a quality iOS developer even if you have five figures to offer (let alone nothing). Finding qualified people, vetting them, making sure they can communicate and follow-through, and all that is associated with developing something is no simple task.
Only caveat is if you know someone personally who is in love with your site/app and is willing to take a big risk that they MIGHT get options later.
19 comments
[ 3.2 ms ] story [ 24.1 ms ] threadA dedicated iOS developer would be better, for sure, but maybe there is an intermediary step where you can utilize most of your current functionality into a native app using a framework / compiler.
No, it's no easy. No it might not be as fast as getting a seasoned developer, and yes the code might be poor but I hold to the belief if there something you can't find someone to do for you - figure it out and do it yourself.
The real challenge for me was finally deciding what project worked well as a mobile application, as I've wanted to learn for a very long time. Once I finally found one, the rest was relatively easy - although there's been an absurd amount of googling and subsequent browsing of StackOverflow (big surprise). Then again, I've been programming for over a decade now with plenty of OO and MVC experience, so Obj-C/Cocoa was largely just a syntax change rather than this giant new thing.
The folks over at sencha created a html5 facebook app that works & feels as good as an iOS native app. There is a video that showcases side by side the native vs the html5.
Again, html5 probably covers all the requirements of your app, if you still wanna get in all the trouble to create native apps for android/ios and that feels easier to you, not much i can say, good luck ^^
If this was a nonprofit/open source venture, it might be a different story, but why should a developer (who could pull in 100-200/hr or get salary + significant equity at any number of startups, based on the qualifications you're looking for) put in his or her time for nothing, when any future profits would just go to you as the ceo. You are basically asking a highly skilled, highly paid professional to accept a role as an unpaid intern. Imo, if a skilled developer is willing to invest very valuable time, you should at the very least be putting a big chunk of equity on the table.
Best of luck to you in any case.
So here's what happened. Tubalr blew up on reddit, several interested investors reached out. One was really close to investing but ended up not going through with it. I never sought out investment myself and have no intentions on doing so.
Thanks!
Edit: This has been a side project for the past 2 years, the code is open sourced on GitHub(https://github.com/cjstewart88/Tubalr)
Because programming is still fun for some people?
I have no idea what Tubalr is, but if it is a simple CRUD app, then you should be able to learn obj-c, ios SDK and get the app done in a month if you are persistant in working on it (3-4 hours a day after work, and more on the weekends).
Only caveat is if you know someone personally who is in love with your site/app and is willing to take a big risk that they MIGHT get options later.
If anyone in those professions wants to gain some valuable experience, please contact me.