So you want to write apps for iOS? That's great!
It'll take time, effort and hard work, but will have many more rewards afterwards. Ready?
Tips for a Successful Project
Design something you would use
Your app should be fresh, different or a much improved one you see around
Fresh is the easiest to get a lot of downloads / sales
Much improved versions of apps can still sell lots!
E.g. Candy Crush vs. Bejeweled
E.g. iPhone vs. first smart phone
Your app has to make you excited to learn, develop, and launch
You'll think about it all the time
You'll get inspired during your daily walks, commutes, work, chats :)
Do not listen to people who tell you "it won't work", "it won't sell", "you can't do it"
If they knew the future, they would be rich!
Be strong and stick to your dreams! Don't let anyone take it away from you
Invest in Yourself and Start Learning and Developing for iOS
You have the hardware?
It's no surprise that iOS development is best done on an Apple platform. Apple platforms aren't cheap.
However, my 2010 MacBook PRO is still working very well and I'm still developing with it
Hardware available at any Apple store
Highly recommend MacBook PRO series.
A quick search will show you some companies that allow for virtual servers / machines.
Sounds cheap and great at first
Risks
Beware of the privacy rights
Beware that your code may be present on a virtual machine out of your control
Beware that you will have to register your OSX machine to submit apps to the App Store
You have the software?
Start by signing up for a free account at the developer center at Apple
Start by downloading the FREE XCode from Apple
Do you need to purchase the annual developer fee yet?
Not yet
Not until you need to test your app on a real device or upload it to the Apple app store. Save your money and use all the free resources first
You have tutorials and training?
From Apple
Apple supplies a tonne of training and they're good at it
Download the training documents and watch some videos
Apple iTunes has free downloads for iOS training
E..g. Harvard School
Google for finding resources
The great thing about iOS development is the huge online support
It's easy to find great development blogs
Use great websites to ask questions
Apple developer forums
Buy books
Some prefer books next to them when working on the computer. I did!
I even had the Dummy's book for iOS development. Great starting kit and can be quite easy to buy or borrow
Go to your neighborhood library for free books to borrow
Get ready to learn!
Native iOS development is done with Objective C
For those without Computer Science backgrounds may find the pointers and memory concepts difficult
Be strong! Learn!!
You'll have an edge when you go to University!!
Hybrid iOS applications will involve Objective C, HTML 5, and Java Script
Self starters and learning
Great for your resume!
Great to show your determination!
Great to challenge yourself!!
Go for it!!
When do I need to pay for Apple Developer Costs?
You can do 75% of all your app work with the free XCode and Simulator. That's if your application is purely native and does not involve hardware specific functions / features.
Best to maximize that 75% by doing as much as you can via the Simulator
When you're set to do the device testing and / or device feature work, then pay the annual fee.
Once you require to run your application to test on real hardware, you'll need to enable that via paying the Apple developer fee (usually $99)
Features not supported by the simulator
Video camera features
Bluetooth
E.g. iBeacons
Airplay
On real hardware, always test for memory leaks, memory allocation.
Run through the normal app workflow multiple times to expose crashes and problems not seen on the simulator
I'm ready to submit! What do I need to do next?
One sec!!
Canadians!! Apple requires you to be a registered company in order to sell applications for money.
Register a company name
Each Province has websites that allow you to register a company name
E.g. British Columbia residents
What type of business will you start?
Sole Proprietorship
This is great for individuals and small revenue generating applications
Risk is that the individual takes on all responsibilities of the business
Profits are added to the individuals income during tax time
Incorporated
The company takes the risk
If your application makes a LOT of revenue or makes use of a lot of personal information, this is recommended.
E.g.
Your servers store and use application users information
1 million users
More setup time than a Sole Proprietorship business but safer
Your company keeps all the profits and pays company taxes
Money taken out of the company bank account to pay individuals are subject to individual income tax
etc...
Register to Canada Revenue Agency
Apple will ask for the Business # from you to prove you are a real company in Canada and also to submit GST / HST to the Canadian government for Canadian sales
When an application is sold in Canada, Apple keeps it easy for you by sending the GST / HST to the Canadian Government. The 70% that Apple pays you from the sale covers Apple's distribution fees as well as the GST / HST.
Technically, you will not receive the GST / HST that a consumer pays. This keeps your paperwork easier since each province taxes differently.
British Columbia Residents
This website makes your life easy by giving you a step by step to starting your own business!
After all is done with the paperwork, you'll need to send company information to Apple.
Again, Apple has great documentation to help you. Just head over to developer.apple.com.
For me, it took about 3 weeks to complete
The Canadian setup was quite easy and done in a day.
The long part is sending the paperwork to Apple
Company Annual Tax Tips
Keep all your receipts
Be fair when using your home as a business
Your home office is a % of the land, montage, electicity, etc...
Turbo Tax Business Edition does a good job in helping you calculate this
Expense conference fees
WWDC (Apple's annual developer conference) can be expensed
GST / HST collected?
Remember you didn't collect GST / HST, so there's nothing to send back to the government
GST / HST rebate?
If you've purchased hardware for your business and paid taxes for it, you can submit a GST / HST form annually to get them re-imbursed
Consult a tax consultant if you have further questions or complicated situations
Hope that helps!!
It's not too scary once it's all done. :)
Good luck!
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