Archives for February 12, 2010

Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS), these words are forever stuck in my mind, although I seem to forget about them periodically, and I know that many app developers forget these words. After monitoring, analyzing, interpreting, and blogging about mobile app development for the past decade these words still ring true and are perhaps the best words of advice you can offer to any app developer (web or mobile) – make it simple to use, don’t try to do everything, and do what you aim to do and do it freakin well!

Case in point, another fine edition of the Mobile Industry Review (MIR) came out today (thanks Ewan) and there was mention of an app that Ewan’s wife simply loves – enter TouchNote (http://www.touchnote.com/). Here’s a user that is so captivated by a fantastic app that she’s willing to switch carriers and device in order to use the app… I have no doubt that there’s many of you out there that select a carrier or device mainly for a couple of apps or services (maybe you like to Tweet via iPhone, or Qik Vlog via the G1 Android). But here’s the point I’m trying to make… I recall being at a special Nokia Developer event a few years ago in Paris and was introduced to an amazing mobile app very similar to TouchNote… it was fun, simple to use, and most important, it accomplished what it was supposed to do. Even today, about 8 years later I still think of that app and still consider it one of those killer mobile apps that I would gladly pay for to use (Yes, that’s right, pay for an app… what a concept!!). And so, this may be trivial but it’s so important for you developers, keep it simple, don’t try to do everything, make it fun, and make sure you attach the proper price point to your app – oh, and if your app is amazing, don’t be afraid to actually sell it instead of giving it away.