Some developers are doing well,
some aren't. The debate has been about Apple's acceptance of "crapware" and how hard it is for developers of "quality" apps to get their foot in the door. I made
my opinion clear on Craig Hockenberry's plea, and even
highlighted the success stories of Ge Wang and Steve Demeter.
Another iPhone app developer has apparently hit the
iLotto, Ethan Nicholas - the developer of iShoot - has quit his day job after his creation rocketed to the number one "Top Paid App" and yielding as many as 16,972 downloads in one day.
Nicholas' app didn't make much of an impact at first - but he did the smart thing and released a "lite" version of his app, giving users a free trial. That was all it took. Nicholas, of his new found fortune, said, "I'm still in shock. I've given my two week notice at Sun Microsystems. I'm gonna do this full time now."
I've always thought that the cure to
Craig Hockenberry's woes was a lite version of paid apps, and Nicholas helps confirm my theory. From
iPhone Savior:
Ethan told me that he's been getting dozens of emails from other developers asking him if they should produce a "Lite" version of their own apps. "Hell yes!," Ethan replied, "I put zero marketing dollars into iShoot and had no blog coverage. I just created a game I actually wanted to play.”
[
via iPhone Savior]
