Hello and Happy New Year to you all ;o)
Well - I'm back and raring to go in 2010!!!
As you may have seen, my app (source code an' all) was up for sale during the summer of last year. It didn't sell on eBay, but I had a number of queries after the auction ended from individuals and companies who wanted to buy the app.
I eventually settled on a company called Zensify - they were based in London and were looking for an app to complement their exisiting iPhone apps - including the great ZenNews app.
After visiting their offices, we struck a deal on pricing and I set about documenting the ins and outs of Top-Tens and the way in which it worked.
Unfortunately, everything went quiet after a few weeks - and to cut a long story short, I was contacted by their CTO to say that Zensify had lost their funding from their venture capital backers.
Because of this, they would not be progressing with the sale. Bummer!
At this point I was going to follow up with some of the other parties who had expressed an interest in buying Top-Tens back in August, however - I decided against this.
You see I think there was probably a very good reason why Top-Tens is still in my possession - it's not clear at the moment why this is - but I'm sure I'll find out some whay down the line.
So... On With the Show! - what do ya think would be a great new Top 10 to start 2010 with?!?!
Top 10 Apple Tablet rumors?!?
Oh - OK then. Gimme a few days and I'll put that together ;o)
Rod.
Friday, 15 January 2010
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Top-Tens is now on eBay!
Here's the eBay listing details for Top-Tens...
Click here to see Top-Tens on eBay
You are bidding on the source code, website and all collateral (in other words, the whole kit and caboodle) for the iPhone app called Top-Tens. If you have iTunes installed on your computer, click here to see Top-Tens in the App Store.
Get in on the iPhone App Store action with a ready-made iPhone app and supporting website!!
Top-Tens has been available in the App Store since May 2009 and has received 2 updates in that time in response to customer feedback in terms of usability and user interface design.Top-Tens reached #8 in the Reference section for Paid Apps at the beginning of June with minimal marketing - proving that there is potential for the App to do extremely well with a marketing campaign behind it.
What is Top-Tens?
Top-Tens allows users to keep tabs on their favorite top 10 lists, such as top 10 books on Amazon, top 10 Apps on the App Store, top 10 Online deals, top 10 Movies, even top 10 undiscovered Apps, etc. Users set up a 'watch list' in the app containing the top 10 lists which they want to keep tabs on. Every time the app is opened, it connects to its sync-server on the Internet and updates the user's watch list with the latest info.
A Unique App!
Top-Tens is unique! No other apps in the App Store provide a way to track multiple Top 10 lists. Top-Tens can currently track over 80 different top 10 lists and more are being added on a regular basis. To see a full list, visit the website (which is included in this auction) at www.iviewr.com/toptens
NOTE: This is not another farting app or 'gimmick' app. This is a real opportunity to get in on the iPhone App Store action!
Top-Tens is a client-server application - and so this eBay auction also includes the back-end PHP code/MySQL databases which keep the app updated.The back-end pretty much runs itself as a number of scripts run on a regular basis (by cron jobs) to ensure that the various top 10 lists are kept up-to-date. Once a week, minor maintenance is required - for example to add any new top 10 categories which have been suggested by users of the app.
The www.iviewr.com domain is included in this auction and will be transferred to the winning bidder.
What is included in the auction?
Click here to see Top-Tens on eBay
You are bidding on the source code, website and all collateral (in other words, the whole kit and caboodle) for the iPhone app called Top-Tens. If you have iTunes installed on your computer, click here to see Top-Tens in the App Store.
Get in on the iPhone App Store action with a ready-made iPhone app and supporting website!!
Top-Tens has been available in the App Store since May 2009 and has received 2 updates in that time in response to customer feedback in terms of usability and user interface design.Top-Tens reached #8 in the Reference section for Paid Apps at the beginning of June with minimal marketing - proving that there is potential for the App to do extremely well with a marketing campaign behind it.
What is Top-Tens?
Top-Tens allows users to keep tabs on their favorite top 10 lists, such as top 10 books on Amazon, top 10 Apps on the App Store, top 10 Online deals, top 10 Movies, even top 10 undiscovered Apps, etc. Users set up a 'watch list' in the app containing the top 10 lists which they want to keep tabs on. Every time the app is opened, it connects to its sync-server on the Internet and updates the user's watch list with the latest info.
A Unique App!
Top-Tens is unique! No other apps in the App Store provide a way to track multiple Top 10 lists. Top-Tens can currently track over 80 different top 10 lists and more are being added on a regular basis. To see a full list, visit the website (which is included in this auction) at www.iviewr.com/toptens
NOTE: This is not another farting app or 'gimmick' app. This is a real opportunity to get in on the iPhone App Store action!
Top-Tens is a client-server application - and so this eBay auction also includes the back-end PHP code/MySQL databases which keep the app updated.The back-end pretty much runs itself as a number of scripts run on a regular basis (by cron jobs) to ensure that the various top 10 lists are kept up-to-date. Once a week, minor maintenance is required - for example to add any new top 10 categories which have been suggested by users of the app.
The www.iviewr.com domain is included in this auction and will be transferred to the winning bidder.
What is included in the auction?
- All source code for Top-Tens is included.
- All source code for Top-Tens LITE (not currently on the App Store) is included. Top-Tens LITE displays only the first three entries in each top 10 list.
- All images, logos, etc. relating to the Top-Tens and Top-Tens LITE apps.
- The Top-Tens website and domain is included www.iviewr.com
- All 'back-end' collateral - including the PHP code used to create the website and the mySQL databases.
- iViewr.com domain.
- I will provide technical support and backup as needed to ensure a smooth transition.
Why am I selling Top-Tens?
I've decided to sell Top-Tens as I'll be on Sabbatical for 6 months from early November. Top-Tens requires minimal maintenance (less than 1 hour) once per week to do things like add new categories suggested by users. In addition, Top-Tens may require updates, etc. - and so I've concluded it's best to make sure the app goes to a good home before I jet off!
Contact me if you have any queries - but only serious inquiries, please!
Be Aware!
I will supply the source code and all collateral to the winning bidder promptly after the auction ends. Be aware that the transfer of the App to the winning bidder in iTunes may take some time as this has to be carried out by Apple. I'm not sure how long Apple will take to do this - but I will, of course, help to ensure that this process is completed as quickly as possible. Same applies to the transfer of the Domain name.
Sunday, 2 August 2009
eBay!!!
What a fantastic idea!!!
After speaking to a (non-techie) friend about my upcoming sabbatical and how i'd try to administer Top-Tens when I'd be computer-less, he came up with a cracking idea!!
"If you can't look after Top-Tens, then give it to someone who can!"
A great bit of lateral thinking, I thought. But who?!
"The highest bidder... Sell the app on eBay" he said, flippantly.
Now - I actually think he was joking. But I'm kind of impulsive like that - so after getting home 3 hours ago, I logged onto eBay and put my pride and joy up for sale.
Oh crumbs......
R.
Thursday, 30 July 2009
The Sabbatical
It's getting closer! And I can't wait. Don't get me wrong - I love the UK - but sometimes you just wanna experience something different...
Not sure how I'll manage Top-Tens while I'm away, though. Well - not that it needs managing, but just the weekly adding of new categories, etc. which I normally tend to do on a Sunday evening.
Maybe I'll do it remotely - or get one of my boys to do it.
We'll see....
Rod.
Monday, 27 July 2009
New Apple device to focus on Movies! (with e-books & iChat thrown in)
When Amazon rolled out their Kindle device in late 2007, Apple's Steve Jobs must have been grinning from ear to ear. Even though Apple wouldn't be privvy to the detailed data and customer feedback that Amazon would soon be receiving, he knew that it would be a fantastic test bed for the e-book reader concept.
A few months later, Mr. Jobs was reported as saying "Forty percent of the people in the U.S. read one book or less last year. The whole conception is flawed at the top because people don't read anymore".
Since then it has become clear that the great strength of the Kindle concept is also it's greatest weakness: its focus on books and newspapers is simply too narrow for the device to reach its utopia; its inability to view other types of content such as movies will be seen as a glaring omission when Apple's new device is released. Sure, the later Kindles have limited web browsing and music support but who wants to watch Watchmen on a grayscale screen?! Even if you could.
As we know, Apple are skillfully adept at looking at the product offerings of rivals (or soon-to-be rivals), tearing them down to determine what works and what doesn't, turning things on their heads, and finally producing a product with a humdinger of a right-hook which few rivals even saw coming. Two cases in point: MP3 players and mobile phones.
So it goes without saying that the next breakthrough device which Apple will announce (probably in January) will have e-book support. However, that won't be the major focus. Instead, the new device will major on movies, movies, movies! With e-book support and the obligatory web browser thrown in for good measure.
While iPods are fantastic for playing music, they kinda fall down when watching a movie because the screen is simply too small. So how do Apple address this? Well - its not rocket science. The 9" screen of this new device would be ideal for watching the Watchmen, for example, while on a plane or while chilling out in Central Park. And guess what? When you want to read the New York Times, just open the e-book app and view it on that gorgeous 9" screen. (Steve Jobs always calls the screens on his new devices gorgeous).
In iPod's early days, Apple produced a model which could support video. This signaled the importance of, and Apple's intentions in, this area. Since then, Apple have taken the time to fully understand what the customer wants, and needs, from a mobile video device and has also been making investments in the back-end with a planned $1 billion server farm in North Carolina which will undoubtedly be used to serve video content. It's gearing up to unveil its breakthrough device.
Essentially, the new device will be a scaled-up iPod touch running an updated OS which has the ability to run native iPhone apps in either their regular size or scaled to fit the screen. It will not run a cut down Mac OS Snow Leopard; Get a Macbook if you want that.
As with the touch, the device will have WI-FI support. And, in an effort to further distance it from its smaller brothers, a front-facing camera brings iChat functionality - although no phone capability is present.
When the device debuts, the iTunes Book store will be announced, allowing users to download books and periodicals in the same way as they currently download music and apps.
So you heard it here, first: Movies. e-books. iChat. Suddenly Kindle doesn't look as attractive a proposition as it did yesterday.
In fact, comparing Kindle with Apple's new device will be more like comparing Obama's Mom Jeans to a pair of Armani's.
I know which I'd rather have.
Rod.
Grab my iPhone app here: www.itunes.com/apps/top-tens
Homepage: www.iviewr.com/toptens
A few months later, Mr. Jobs was reported as saying "Forty percent of the people in the U.S. read one book or less last year. The whole conception is flawed at the top because people don't read anymore".
Since then it has become clear that the great strength of the Kindle concept is also it's greatest weakness: its focus on books and newspapers is simply too narrow for the device to reach its utopia; its inability to view other types of content such as movies will be seen as a glaring omission when Apple's new device is released. Sure, the later Kindles have limited web browsing and music support but who wants to watch Watchmen on a grayscale screen?! Even if you could.
As we know, Apple are skillfully adept at looking at the product offerings of rivals (or soon-to-be rivals), tearing them down to determine what works and what doesn't, turning things on their heads, and finally producing a product with a humdinger of a right-hook which few rivals even saw coming. Two cases in point: MP3 players and mobile phones.
So it goes without saying that the next breakthrough device which Apple will announce (probably in January) will have e-book support. However, that won't be the major focus. Instead, the new device will major on movies, movies, movies! With e-book support and the obligatory web browser thrown in for good measure.
While iPods are fantastic for playing music, they kinda fall down when watching a movie because the screen is simply too small. So how do Apple address this? Well - its not rocket science. The 9" screen of this new device would be ideal for watching the Watchmen, for example, while on a plane or while chilling out in Central Park. And guess what? When you want to read the New York Times, just open the e-book app and view it on that gorgeous 9" screen. (Steve Jobs always calls the screens on his new devices gorgeous).
In iPod's early days, Apple produced a model which could support video. This signaled the importance of, and Apple's intentions in, this area. Since then, Apple have taken the time to fully understand what the customer wants, and needs, from a mobile video device and has also been making investments in the back-end with a planned $1 billion server farm in North Carolina which will undoubtedly be used to serve video content. It's gearing up to unveil its breakthrough device.
Essentially, the new device will be a scaled-up iPod touch running an updated OS which has the ability to run native iPhone apps in either their regular size or scaled to fit the screen. It will not run a cut down Mac OS Snow Leopard; Get a Macbook if you want that.
As with the touch, the device will have WI-FI support. And, in an effort to further distance it from its smaller brothers, a front-facing camera brings iChat functionality - although no phone capability is present.
When the device debuts, the iTunes Book store will be announced, allowing users to download books and periodicals in the same way as they currently download music and apps.
So you heard it here, first: Movies. e-books. iChat. Suddenly Kindle doesn't look as attractive a proposition as it did yesterday.
In fact, comparing Kindle with Apple's new device will be more like comparing Obama's Mom Jeans to a pair of Armani's.
I know which I'd rather have.
Rod.
Grab my iPhone app here: www.itunes.com/apps/top-tens
Homepage: www.iviewr.com/toptens
Monday, 20 July 2009
To Infinity And Beyond....
The 40th anniversary of Neil Armstrong's historic first steps on the Moon are upon us - and so I thought it would be cool to add a top 10 category for Moon-related stories.
It's available now - simply open Top-Tens and tap 'New Top 10s' to see the latest added categories - then tap Moon Today Stories.
Hope some of you find this useful!
Cheers,
Rod.
Sunday, 12 July 2009
Undiscovered Apps
Wow - time really flies. Apple's iPhone App Store is one year old already! (Happy Birthday, BTW). 50,000 apps later.... but can you find the app you want?! Well... yes and no.
You see - if the app you're looking for is in one of the 'top' lists, or is maybe featured in the 'What's hot' or 'Staff favorites' section in iTunes, then you're golden. But what happens to all the other tens of thousands of other apps that are languishing below the radar? How do they get noticed?
There are loads of iPhone-related websites around which are a fantastic resource to us iPhone and iPod-touch users. I love browsing them just to get the skinny on new app releases, etc. but one of the things I've noticed over time is that they generally tend to only show you (or review) the top sellers or big hitters!
So how do we get to know about the other, fantastic apps that we know are in the Store? I mean, there are thousands and thousands of talented devs out there producing some great stuff, right?! - but if they don't have the marketing muscle, their hard work very quickly disappears like a needle in one big-ass haystack of an App Store.
Well, now... There's an App for that. Sorry - I just had to get that line in somewhere :o)
A couple of months back, I released Top-Tens (App Store Link). Top-Tens allows you to keep tabs on your favorite top 10 lists - for example, top 10 movies, top 10 books - even top 10 Disney rides and attractions, (since we're in holiday season). There are currently around 80 different top 10s which you can keep tabs on - and they get updated daily (or more frequently where necessary) . And the list is growing, too!
So - I thought... wouldn't it be great to do a Top 10 Undiscovered Apps category? This would showcase apps which users thought were great - but, crucially, were not listed in the top 100 of the various lists in iTunes. Well... if it's in one of the 'top' lists in iTunes, then it's not exactly undiscovered, is it!?
Obviously, for this to work, I need users to suggest these Apps to me. You can do this here. Simply type in the app name and category and hit submit. All submissions are collated and the most popular are then made visible in the Top 10 Undiscovered Apps section in the Top-Tens app. Simple, really!
So what are you waiting for!? Lets put those gems on the map!
Rod.
You see - if the app you're looking for is in one of the 'top' lists, or is maybe featured in the 'What's hot' or 'Staff favorites' section in iTunes, then you're golden. But what happens to all the other tens of thousands of other apps that are languishing below the radar? How do they get noticed?
There are loads of iPhone-related websites around which are a fantastic resource to us iPhone and iPod-touch users. I love browsing them just to get the skinny on new app releases, etc. but one of the things I've noticed over time is that they generally tend to only show you (or review) the top sellers or big hitters!
So how do we get to know about the other, fantastic apps that we know are in the Store? I mean, there are thousands and thousands of talented devs out there producing some great stuff, right?! - but if they don't have the marketing muscle, their hard work very quickly disappears like a needle in one big-ass haystack of an App Store.
Well, now... There's an App for that. Sorry - I just had to get that line in somewhere :o)
A couple of months back, I released Top-Tens (App Store Link). Top-Tens allows you to keep tabs on your favorite top 10 lists - for example, top 10 movies, top 10 books - even top 10 Disney rides and attractions, (since we're in holiday season). There are currently around 80 different top 10s which you can keep tabs on - and they get updated daily (or more frequently where necessary) . And the list is growing, too!
So - I thought... wouldn't it be great to do a Top 10 Undiscovered Apps category? This would showcase apps which users thought were great - but, crucially, were not listed in the top 100 of the various lists in iTunes. Well... if it's in one of the 'top' lists in iTunes, then it's not exactly undiscovered, is it!?
Obviously, for this to work, I need users to suggest these Apps to me. You can do this here. Simply type in the app name and category and hit submit. All submissions are collated and the most popular are then made visible in the Top 10 Undiscovered Apps section in the Top-Tens app. Simple, really!
So what are you waiting for!? Lets put those gems on the map!
Rod.
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