iOS iPhone App Idea Feasability

[highscheme]

I have an idea for an iPhone application and I want your programmer opinions on how easy this type of app would be to create.

This isn't the exact idea but a metaphor for the real idea.



Idea: Plant Life in New York

Users see an oak tree in New York. They take a picture using their phone and it uses the GPS to identify the location of the actual plant. This is now added to the database. Other users will be able to see where this oak tree is located on the map. They can also search for the nearest oak tree to their current location, oak trees in a given area, etc.

There is also a website where users can view the information and search for where any given type of plant etc. You can do all this from the iPhone application as well.

The content will be mostly user generated with some being supplied from the start to get it going.

Thoughts on how easy or difficult it is to implement something like this?

Thanks

 

[robbieduncan]

For a beginner hard. For an experienced developer who has database knowledge, server programming knowledge, web programming knowledge and iPhone programming knowledge then it's feasible.

 

[dejo]

What happens when someone geo-tags a tree they think is an oak when in fact it's a, say, larch tree?

 

[highscheme]

What happens when someone geo-tags a tree they think is an oak when in fact it's a, say, larch tree?

Very good observation. This is actually one of the biggest questions I have about the success.

Again, the entire "tree" idea is just an analogy for the real business idea. In fact, it will be something a lot more identifiable to the user than various types of plants.


However, this user error is one of the biggest drawbacks I see to my concept. But isn't this the problem with any user generated content? Not to mention as more users accumulate the data would seem to gravitate towards accuracy.

I might need to look into ways in which other user generated systems check and balance information.

Any suggestions?

 

[ethical]

You could make a way for users to edit the information. What happens when a user posts incorrect info on Wikipedia? Someone else corrects it.

 

[highscheme]

You could make a way for users to edit the information. What happens when a user posts incorrect info on Wikipedia? Someone else corrects it.

right, but what I mean is the specifics

There will definitely be a way for users to adjust or update information because new "plants" will be popping up, replaced by other plants, or removed completely.

I just think one of the areas where I will have to focus on is how to have the most accurate, up-to-date but primarily user generated data.

 

[StevenHu]

From my vantage point, it would take several years to develop such an app as I learn my way. So you are looking for an experienced developer who may charge you far more than you'll ever get back. $10-20,000?