macOS Teen Developer - App Ideas

[heckler0077]

I've been using macs all my life, and about 3 years ago, got into web design/ (XHTML, CSS, PHP) This year I took up programming, learning C++, and, as of several days ago, Cocoa/Objective-C. Now that I've got that down, I need to make something. I'm in high school, and I used an International Baccalaureate personal project as a way to motivate myself to get everything done, at the cost of deadlines. So now I'm in a position where I need to create an application, but the niches I think of have been filled. I'm a certified software-junkie, so I know practically every piece of software out there. To be honest, I doubt the market's dry, it's just me not being able to hit on that big idea. I've been brainstorming over the past few days, and haven't hit gold yet, and with the clock counting down, it's high time for me to get to work, so I've decided to plumb the Mac community for any ideas.
Thanks so much!

-Walker

 

[Vader]

I would love a Snood-like game if you are interested in developing a game.

 

[toddburch]

The thing with software... just like anything else... is that you can take the idea of something that's already been done and improve upon it. So, if you take this approach, the field is pretty much wide open on what you can do.

What are the parameters for your International B.... thingy that you need to adhere to?

 

[heckler0077]

What are the parameters for your International B.... thingy that you need to adhere to?

The great thing about IB is that as long as you're getting something out of it, and you can show them that in our final project and an essay that goes along with it, you have free reign to do whatever you please. In my case, I chose to learn some new languages and create an app.

is that you can take the idea of something that's already been done and improve upon it

That is a good point, with certain caveats. For example, I don't want to enter a market inundated with software or one with a pack leader that's so amazing that a first-time programmer has no chance. Unless of course I have a truly groundbreaking idea, e.g. a paradigm shift of the software concept, in which case I'd steam ahead. I'm optimistic about what I can do with the code, but I'm being a realist as to my capabilities and time constraints. Now this isn't to say I wouldn't enter an existing market; it all depends on which market, and what apps dominated it. Suggestions welcome.

I would love a Snood-like game if you are interested in developing a game.

I'm not looking towards the game market right now, due to time constraints, my current skillset, and the direction I'm headingin, but thanks for the suggestion, and I'll keep it in mind for the future!

To all- thanks for your responses so far!

 

[cr2sh]

I've been brainstorming over the past few days, and haven't hit gold yet

I think you've under estimated the problem at hand, if hitting gold only took a few days.. we'd all be millionaires.

You might want to look at small open source projects that have succeeded, try to spin it off and make something your own out of it. I remember seeing an open source desktop video capture piece that was amazing but was just getting off the ground.. those types of projects have great ideas and you can easily influence the direction and contribute.

If I were to suggest an idea it would be an application that crawls through the creative commons and other open source media, let's you easily search by type/content/parameters, make favorites, upload, download... sort of an adobe bridge for open source content.

 

[Les Kern]

I've seen this and experienced this for quite a while.
Making an app for a project and making one for dough are two different things and at the same time identical.
For every 5000 software engineers there's one who makes an app people MIGHT want, even if it's called iFart and it makes a ton of money. Some say you have to have the vision, and if not, there's little hope. I'm not too sure of that, but I know I have been thinking overtime about a possible iPhone app to make. If I think of something it's already been done. And it appears that something is missing in my brain to allow me to think up a killer app.
In you case you're looking for an app for a project. But you want it fresh? See? It's the same as the killer mega-buck iPhone app, nicht war?
I got nothing except for one thing and it's what I did initially: Go to Download.com or Versiontracker to the Windows section. What's COOL there that has no Mac equivalent? RUn with that and make it BETTER.

 

[heckler0077]

Making an app for a project and making one for dough are two different things and at the same time identical.If I think of something it's already been done. And it appears that something is missing in my brain to allow me to think up a killer app.

That pretty much sums up my position.

Go to Download.com or Versiontracker to the Windows section. What's COOL there that has no Mac equivalent? RUn with that and make it BETTER.

That's a good idea. I've been looking through my hundreds of apps as well as apple's site, macupdate, etc. but in the mac section. It might be a good idea to look at other categories like linux or windows. Thanks!

If anybody has app suggestions or ideas for thinking of one, like Les, please chime in!

 

[4409723]

Back when I did the IB I did a big project which was pretty handy. I'm not sure how it works at your school but at mine you had to submit your extended essay quarterly to be verified that you were actually working on it and to get feedback.

I made a system with a web-front end where people would upload their drafts where it would be timestamped and then uploaded to a database.

From there the academic coordinator, along with your advisor, could view it via a Java app with a pdf viewer built-in and then give you feedback on its progress and where you should improve it. These were then visible on the web-interface.

Seeing as back then I had very little programming experience it took me quite a bit of time but it was a handy project I think.

 

[steventsmith]

You're looking for all the wrong things. There's little chance you can just come in and make a brand new exciting app with just a couple days experience.

Rather, you should be looking for ideas that will *help you learn*. Find something tricky, or something you've always wanted to find out how to do before - now you have the motivation.

Try developing and learning heuristics, that's the big thing these days since we have fast machines. Delicious Library does barcode scanning and search-by-colour on images, iPhoto has face detection. It's the future! =)