iOS iPhone software development: Is it worth it? $$$

[floyde]

Hi guys. Lately I've been thinking about starting a sort of "side business" with a buddy of mine, writing iPhone apps. My goal is not to make a living out of it, just to have an additional source of income. I've been working in software development for a few years now, so I feel pretty confident that I'll be able to make pretty decent apps in a reasonable time (if I come up with good ideas for apps, that is).

The idea became more and more attractive until I saw this:

"25,000 apps and counting"

I suppose that a big percentage of those are useless widget-like apps, but still, it seems like an incredibly saturated market.

So what do you guys think? Is iPhone development a nice way to get some extra cash? Or should I sell hot dogs on the street instead?

 

[johnnybluejeans]

Saturated, yes. But that doesn't mean you won't make money if you make some *quality* applications.

 

[fishkorp]

I know people making 10's of thousands of dollars a month, but do it full time. I have one non-free app that doesn't appeal to everyone and make only a few hundred dollars a month on that. I figured as long as I get back my $99 I paid to join + monthly bandwidth costs (the app relies on a server) then I'm fine. I do it for fun, others do it for money. I have a full time development job that pays better than doing iPhone apps full time. If your app is good and/or there's a market for it, you'll make money.

 

[bboyjayz]

I agree with you : if you make great app, you'll have money.
Do you know if there is a website or i don't know what, where we can see some statistics about some app, and people having bought this app, in one years for example ?

(sorry if you don't understand what i say, i'm french ... )