I’m a newb…again
So I decided to try something new…iPhone application development. I’ve had an iPhone since the week after it was launched and I have an unnatural relationship with it. It is an amazing device and I would marry it if I were legalized in the state of Minnesota.
So, my first step was to find out if I could handle this. I am not a traditional software developer. I have built a pant-load of web sites and some pretty robust web-based applications, but traditional software development isn’t my bag. I started with signing up for the iPhone developer program, got some book recommendations and read tons of blogs. I picked up Beginning iPhone Development: Exploring the iPhone SDK
Another GREAT resource I have found is Dan Girgsby’s site Mobile Orchard. Dan and the crew over there have put together a fantastic site and amazing podcast. They interviewed the authors of the iPhone book mentioned above and I found it valuable to listen to multiple times. Next week, Dan is holding a 2 day workshop on beginning iPhone development. I was lucky enough to get a spot along with an old friend who is also learning along side me. From what I have picked up on Dan’s site and podcasts, this should be a great learning experience. I hope I have multiple “ah-ha” moments because I will need them.
Most people ask me if I have any ideas for a killer app. I do have an idea for some apps that aren’t so outrageously out of control that I would never be able to finish. I will start with those and most likely give them away for free. I didn’t start this with an app in mind. I started because I love to learn new things. If you have known me for any length of time, you know that I like to have multiple hobbies. Here are a few still active hobbies…
- Fly Fishing
- Photography
- Building Arcade Cabinets
- Web Development
- Video Editing
- Graphic Design
- Playing Music (guitar mostly)
- Geocaching
- Remote Control Aircraft (Planes and Helicopters)
- Golfing
So wish me luck and you never know, this hobby just may be what I stick with for years to come….or it may not, but it will be fun making mistakes and learning from them. I know..cheesy…but true!
Hippy iPhone Commune
I downloaded a new iPhone app called Ocarina. An Ocarina is an ancient flute-like instrument. Basically, you blow into the microphone “hole” in the bottom of the phone and press graphical buttons on the screen. That’s not all! It is a social application as well. If I name my Ocarina, my score is uploaded to their servers available for anyone to hear my warbly tones. You can also spin a virtual planet and listen to other user’s music.
I love this video of a chorus of iPhone hippies performing some “Stairway”.
New iPhone Car Integration
When I bought the new iPhone I FULLY expected to be able to plug it into my existing iPhone cradle and have it magically work. Silly Clay…that would be too easy. I detailed out my original iPhone car integration here.
The new iPhone is about an 1/8 of an inch wider that the first one which means the cradle from ProClip is useless. I was able to get in touch with someone at ProClip who told me they would have a new cradle, but not for a couple of months. If you know me, you know that I don’t have that kind of patience. Enter the Dremel tool! I was able to carve out some plastic and spead it out with some plastic spacers. Worked excellent, but I will still buy the right one when it comes out. This works for now.
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Sitting In Line For My New iPhone
Ok, let’s get this striaght…I love my new iPhone (16gb White One), but like any product, it has its downfalls. I wanted to experience the launch day frenzy so I planned to head to the Apple store at the Mall of America for the 8am store opening on July 11. I got there about 6:30am and got in line with about 60 people in front of me. I was quickly bored after checking out my line-mates.
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