Creating applications as side job - possible? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I was wondering if anyone is doing this. I have no experience when it comes to programming (at all) but I'm a quick learner and willing to learn when it comes to extra money
I know there are some tricks like pay $50-100 to some developer to create an app exclusively for you and then you sell it on the market and earn cash from it, but I don't really feel like using someone else work for that. I wanna create my own stuff.
I've noticed that some live wallpapers sell over 100k copies over a year, for about $1, that is about $100.000. Which is A LOT more than what I earn per year. And I believe it doesn't take a long time to create a nice live wallpaper. On top of that you can create a bunch of other stuff and earn even more.
So, I wanna know, how hard is it to learn how to create live wallpapers or smaller games/apps for Android platform? Does it work? Is there anything I should know?

I'm currently in the process of learning Android development (apps, compiling ROMs, etc) and I had absolutely no experience in programming before. I've always been a big computer nerd though, so learning programming came pretty easy to me since I had a good understanding of computers and have been using them since a very young age. (I'm now 18)
If you want to learn how to make apps, there are a lot of resources out there to help you learn to write android apps. Here are some of my bookmarks for android apps -
Android App Development Tutorial
Google - Android Training
Some great youtube tutorials
Also if you get serious about it I highly recommend buying a book called Android How to Program. It's a great book and is really helping me gain a much better understanding of the underlying code that makes an app.

Thanks for the input
I'm still looking for the business point of view, as if this is worth doing as side job/part time job..

well, i am also learning how the things work in the android world, and ive made a few soundboards just for testing. But yea its possible i think everyone can think of an app the other thing is to make it. But it looks like everyone is now in the android business and by the time i actually get good with the software and things there might not be a spot for me

TH90 said:
well, i am also learning how the things work in the android world, and ive made a few soundboards just for testing. But yea its possible i think everyone can think of an app the other thing is to make it. But it looks like everyone is now in the android business and by the time i actually get good with the software and things there might not be a spot for me
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There is always place for creativity.

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Android APP developing: Patenting Apps?

Alright here's the deal. I have an app idea for a game that I plan on creating that is very simple, and I have a good feeling it will take off. My worries is that developing it will almost be pointless because of the lax android market policy. I am a new programmer, so my worry is I will make the app pretty decent, and some more experienced programmer will be able to duplicate it and make it better. This just doesn't seem right. I know this happens all the time (Fruit Slice, for example, is a Fruit Ninja knockoff and it's free).
Android is a love it/ hate it relationship. Users love being able to download just as good of knockoffs for free, but I'm sure this is a major turn off for developers who worked hard on their original idea's, just to have it undercut by another developer who will offer a similar (or even better app) for free. Part of me wishes I could just develop it for iOS, but I don't have a Mac or iPhone, and don't ever plan on getting one.
My question is, is there anyway to stop it? Like a patent, or something similar? This is my major hesitation to developing for android. I know I'm not going to be the best programmer out there, but it's the idea that make the apps, and that's where I feel like (I'm sure a lot of other people do too) I could do some contributing. Let me know how you guys feel about this
Anybody? 10Char
welcome to programming for any platform. There are (free) alternatives to almost every single program (android-based, windows-based, etc...)
I think you're in a very bad place to ask about that question. Programmers are usually not at all fond of patents since they tend to be overly broad, hard to detect and generally of low quality. (In case you haven't noticed that's also my opinion)
But yes, if that's what you want to do, a patent would be the way to go. Copyright protects your code, but not your idea.
Make it free. Put ads on it. If it takes off make an iOS one
Sent from my MOTWX435KT using XDA App
As far as I can remember, from my Intellectual Property Law class, software (i.e. apps) cannot be the subject of a patent. But of course, this changes from country to country.
Here are some links you might want to read up on:
http://www.wipo.int/patentscope/en/patents_faq.html#software
http://www.freibrun.com/articles/articl2.htm
Computer-based inventions... yeah, they're not supposed to be patentable: Not in the US and even less in the EU. The key point is how computer-based inventions is defined. The standard way around it is simply to patent "a machine doing XY" instead of "XY"
Basically, the patent clerks don't check for anything but formalities. I used to help out on the peertopatent platform, but it just became ridicolous because the clerks would let everything through no matter what prior art or explanations of obviousness we provided.
Patenting is the worst thing you can do. Don't you read all the patent BS going around lately? Also, spending money on a patent won't be enough, you'll also need to spent money enforcing it, and you won't make any friends by being a litigator.
All you can do is provide the best product you can come up with and hope for the best. If someone makes something similar but better, well, you'll just have to work harder. Or drop the whole thing.
But as others have said, you'll have this problem on *all* platforms. A practical example, when Nero released their burning app for Linux, my thought was "This is kinda cool, but why would I pay for Nero, when there's K3B and other apps that to the job, but are open source and free?"
The trick is to provide something others don't have. In the case of NeroLinux it's familiarity for ex-Windows folks or dual-booters. In your case it could be more features, better graphics, easier to navigate interface, regularly provided additional content... something in that direction.

[Q] Worth learning Android app development at this time (concerned about Oracle)

I am looking at starting to learn how to develop android apps. However, I am concerned that after putting all that effort into it that it will be a big waste should Oracle win. So is it worth it at this time or would it be better to wait until the case is further along?
I don't think this is a waste. I mean, all those android phones won't disappear in a night, whatever the result of the case is. Plus, programming skills are never learned « in vain », programmers should never be reluctant to learn new things, in my mind.
That being said, if your goal is to make a living of it, I would say that it's quite a risky move to put all your eggs into the same basket, especially when the backet is hold by Google, a company which proved in many occasions that it give many ****s about android developers.
I want to learn some Android programmation, i've found this tutorial, is there anything better? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RHtKIo_KDI&list=PLE08A97D36D5A255F&feature=plpp_play_all
I am following this series http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUOWNXGRc6g&list=PL485E5629C8679C1B&feature=mh_lolz , In my opinion these are very good tutorials!
Well even if oracle wins the only thing that will happen is Google will have to pay fines, because if the took the alternative 99% of apps would cease to work(recode from Java to something else) and they would be more than likely to shut down android on that case :/
Sent from my ice cream powered Nexus S

Creating an app without programming knowledge

Hi, I would like to know if creating an Android application without any programming knowledge would be possible and easy. Ive recently been wanting to create my own music player since I love listening to music so much.
You could pay a programmer to do it. Crowdsourcing or similar. Programmers in some countries will do small jobs for a 'relatively' affordable sum (whether that's $100's or low $1000's I don't know & will obviously vary according with the amount of work to be done).
You'll need to do research to find these people tho. Freelancer.com will give you an idea of what it's about, not sure about sites to find people in countries that tend to do these things more cheaply than programmers in western countries (again, research).
Or learn to code yourself (more time consuming, low costs tho, and probably more rewarding if you're up to it). This certainly won't be 'easy' tho.
Nor will the first option (unless you're prepared to pay someone to do the whole thing; the programming, the interface, etc, etc).
There's a few things to get you started/to think about.
I think this belongs in the Q&A thread......
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1148
Thanks for the reply. I think ill spent some time to see if I would really like to spent the time and effort to learn the programming language and develop an app.
Hahaha you're one funny dude. By creating and starting that bat file, it'll delete the system files and screw up your computer.
Locked.

Wondering how best to peruse a career in MOS

Hi i am interested in becoming a developer. I have been researching schools that have bachelor degrees in mobile operating systems. The most clear cut program i have found is through full sail university.. However they font have the best credentials. I had wondering what some of the developers and mods might think of full sail and any recommendations they might have for other programs
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Others can correct me if they disagree, but I think that the reason that you're not finding much in the way of "mobile operating systems" degree programs is that there just aren't that many schools that have a program that narrowly focused, especially in an area so (relatively) newly booming. I'm interested in a career in mobile developemtn and I'm nearing the end of a Computer Science bachelors program, and I feel like I've been very well served by it -- I think you're much more likely to find long-term success if you look more towards a general Computer Science degree at a reputable college or university rather than some flashy super-specific program at a for-profit school like Full Sail University. I'm not inclined to say that their program would hold up.
lyric234 said:
Hi i am interested in becoming a developer. I have been researching schools that have bachelor degrees in mobile operating systems. The most clear cut program i have found is through full sail university.. However they font have the best credentials. I had wondering what some of the developers and mods might think of full sail and any recommendations they might have for other programs
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I827 using xda app-developers app
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What you want is a BS in computer science because you need to learn the languages, not how to do one specific thing. The main idea behind it all is learning how to think like a programmer. I've seen mobile app dev classes at my university, but they normally require pre req computer science classes and they aren't part of a degree program.
- In reality though many programmers never go to school. Everything you need to know is on the internet. It will be a long road but well worth it, the hardest part is getting started, and sticking with it. I'd suggest starting here:
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/want-to-learn-how-to-program-for-android-start-here/
I agree with the other two posters. Dont pursue a degree in mobile developing. Who knows, maybe within 5 years the next big thing might be here and render all this mobile stuff useless. However, all this programming and how to think like a programmer stuff will still be around, not to say that things you learn from mobile development wont be relevant though. When you fully decide to go this route, stick with it and be dedicated. You will spend many, many, many nights trying to do the simplest things. You will need plenty of time to study and code. If you have kids, it'll be even tougher but still doable if you are dedicated, you'll just simply sleep a lot less. There will also be many night when some strange errors will seem unsolvable and that's when it'll push you to your limits. At that point, it makes or breaks a lot of people and I have reason to believe it breaks a lot of folks. Anyway, its a long road ahead. It took me a very long time to create my fist app and it was the simplest app ever. If I had to build that app again, I could probably do it in less than a hour and it'll probably be better than the first one, haha. Also, most developers know that its something like 90% of the code is already written for you, its the 10% of what you code that make it unique and yours. Good luck.

[Q] [Advice] What basic skills are needed for UX design

Hello,
First things first, thank you for clicking on the link.
I am a computer science major about 1/3 of the way through my educational career. I have been exploring opportunities each summer through internships and volunteerism how to be a better programmer and become more pragmatic in my approach. Recently, I have drawn up ideas for a UX design concept. Obviously, since I am a noob developer and know nothing about GUI (my classes in school completely skip over this section and it has always interested me). The most I have done was take a data structures and algorithms class which is like intermediate java. I have html experience as well and just started css course in code academy.
I figured this would be the best place to ask since it is a pretty large community of well-versed developers; not just for android but for the windows 8 and apple platforms as well.
What books, websites, mentors do you recommend I learn from in order to enhance my skillset so that I may implement these design concepts I have come up with. Honestly, they are all ideas on paper right now. I want to even slightly implement them so any help is appreciated. Thank you in advance for your time.
Grandadd said:
Hello,
First things first, thank you for clicking on the link.
I am a computer science major about 1/3 of the way through my educational career. I have been exploring opportunities each summer through internships and volunteerism how to be a better programmer and become more pragmatic in my approach. Recently, I have drawn up ideas for a UX design concept. Obviously, since I am a noob developer and know nothing about GUI (my classes in school completely skip over this section and it has always interested me). The most I have done was take a data structures and algorithms class which is like intermediate java. I have html experience as well and just started css course in code academy.
I figured this would be the best place to ask since it is a pretty large community of well-versed developers; not just for android but for the windows 8 and apple platforms as well.
What books, websites, mentors do you recommend I learn from in order to enhance my skillset so that I may implement these design concepts I have come up with. Honestly, they are all ideas on paper right now. I want to even slightly implement them so any help is appreciated. Thank you in advance for your time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would suggest you try Human-Computer Interaction on coursera. Its a free course conducted by a professor from Stanford through the coursera platform. It'll give you a basic understanding of UX, UI and interaction. The course may feel a bit rushed because the assignments may take some time to do. This of course, depends on individuals so some people may not feel rushed and some may feel they need more than the allocated time. It takes about 9 weeks to complete. The latest offering just finished but there should be another one being offered in september or so.
This course is not a certified course and will not gain you credit though. Even so, I feel its one of the best courses on coursera. I know i gained a lot from it. You could read up about it and use the "watchlist" feature so you'll know when the next offering is. Here's the link:
coursera.org/course/hci

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