Becoming an IPhone or IPod App Developer: Step 1

Both the iPhone and the iPod have become one of the most popular mobile applications devices in recent history. They are tiny computers with a powerful processors and a seemingly unlimited potential. Certainly, developers have taken notice, and are profiting from this device through the sales of applications, commonly called apps. These devices were created by Apple Computer, Inc. and the apps for these devices are sold through their iTunes web portal. Unlike many mobile phones and console gaming systems, Apple Computer has made it easy and inexpensive to become a developer of iPhone and iPod applications.

You will need to own an Apple Computer with an Intel processing chip. All of the Apple Computers sold since 2006 have intel chips installed. The least expensive Apple Computer is the Mac Mini, which sells for under $600 and requires you to use your own monitor, keyboard, and mouse. This can be from an abandoned Microsoft Windows computer with the appropriate cables.

After you have purchased your computer you will need to join the Apple Developers Site. This can be located at http://developer.apple.com/iphone/ and it does not cost anything to join. You will need to create a free account and sign in. There is a wealth of information and programs on this site. From here you can download the Software Development Kit, also known as the SDK. The SDK consists of many different programs. The major program you will be using is Xcode. Xcode is the programming environment that all programmers use to write applications for Apple Computer's products, whether a game for one of their computers or an app for their iPhone. There is also an iPhone/iPod simulator that will allow you to test any applications that you write. Once installed, you too will be able to create iPhone and iPod apps that run on a simulator on your computer. You will find tutorials that explain about the programming language you must learn, as well as the ways to harness the unique functions of the iPhone and iPod.

It is very important to point out that you should not have to send any money to Apple Computer. Once your program is finished you will need to join the iPhone Developer Program. This program costs $99 for one year. Only programmers who have joined this group are permitted to test their programs on actual iPhones and iPods and to sell their programs through the iTunes store. It is wise to wait until your new application is ready for sale before joining this program.

Developing applications for the iPhone and the iPod can be an exciting and financially rewarding experience. There is much more you will need to learn, and much more you will need to do. There are many other steps you will need to take on this journey. It has only just begun, but it has begun for you the same way it had for all of the others who have already created iPhone and iPod applications. It began with this first step.