software idea

[macgyver2]

This doesn't have anything to do with windows but this is off topic section so....

I have come up with an idea for a mobile software suite. I have searched for software like this and have come up completely blank.

I have basic ideas for a UI, what it will do, who the product is aimed at and well all the basics that would be needed to get someone to say yeah lets do that.

Well now here is my problem. I have no clue who to turn to. I have a understanding about copyrights and royalties etc etc and I also know I can't just go telling people my idea without running the risk they would take the idea and run with it and leave me behind.

So where would I take this idea? large software companies? Small mobile software company? ( personal can't say I know any off hand) try and get some type of copyrights? I don't even have any code done as the target OS is fairly new.

I know my software idea is worth $$$$ and this isn't idea that's been short lived its been working in my head since about March. I have have a sketch pad with drawings and stuff dedicated to this project.

I can see normal everyday people using my software and I can see pro's using the software to give customers what they want while providing the tools the pro's need to be successful.

Well I could try and pitch my idea without saying what the software is but it would all sound like I am blowing smoke. Either way if people could lead me in the right direction or if you work for a company would might be looking for that next break out mobile app leave a message

I want to thank anyone for reading this and all those that help thanks in advance.

 

[FullyLoadedMan]

Whats the Target OS? Most smartphone OS's have pretty good app creation tools, fairly simple to use.

 

[mckillwashere]

As a co-dev for a web project and a consultant for several friends, I would say work out what you are wanting. Draw it up, Research in motion(blackberry) and android have fairly straight forward dev tools for gui. and Iphones are well no changing the gui.
Maybe you could try some of them out?

 

[FullyLoadedMan]

The android dev tools allow you to customise the UI a bit more than the RIM tools.

Linkity link Android SDK | Android Developers

 

[macgyver2]

the first target OS most likely will be Android. I have downloaded the droid sdk and will be looking into that but I would say I will need more then just a simple sdk to create this software. Some versions of the software I want to have linked to local store for point of sales directly from the software sort of. This app 90% won't be phone based but more geared towards the device screen and using other hardware. tablets will most likely be the choice of hardware people and this software. This software is basically targeted at devices still to be released or planned to be released in the coming months.

key reqs of hardware:

1. 4.3" screen min
2. multi touch screen
3. some version will have the option to connect online
4. Camera is a 100% must
5. GPS could be included (not sure on this yet but could very easily be an option)


This app will be complicated in its programming but simple for the user.

This app could be used on smart phones but multi touch screens is pretty much needed. If apple is to closed then this software just wouldn't work. With my poor health and well being just one man I know I won't be grabbing SDK's and creating apps that sell at least not like this one. I have even come into the idea that with its possible internet connections that major retail companies like Home Depot or Walmart would love to save we have an app for that and sell this program. I almost think being NON iOS might be another selling point.

I can say this, I have owned a blackberry, I also used a old windows mobile and I know this app won't be simple like most apps. This apps has the possibility to be larger then the current devices have for software storage. I guess the only current type apps I could compare this to would be games like need for speed or something that just isn't being created by a single person and I am 95% sure even at my best health I won't have the app suite done without double or tripling its dev cycle. This app needs a team or company to see it fully work out and be a money making app suite.

 

[FullyLoadedMan]

Go look on the android market for some of the more popular apps, talk to their Dev Teams, they might be able to help you out.

 

[Everlong]

The thing with Android is you can't limit it to just one screen size. Not many Android phones have exactly a 4.3" screen. That's something I'm having to think about while developing an Android app myself. And if it's going to be larger than smartphone storage i.e. it's going to be a gigabyte+ in size, then it's not going to work so well as an app for a phone..

Best thing to do is write detailed some use cases up and try and get in touch with some dev teams. FullLoaded's idea of looking on the Android market for dev teams with popular apps is a good start. Or even head on over to xda-developers forum and ask on there and see if anyone can point you in the right direction.

 

[FullyLoadedMan]

XDA would be your best port of call, Those guys know more than Google about the android OS.

 

[macgyver2]

XDA seems to be where I should go, as for screen size etc etc none of this is set in stone of course. I am aiming at 4.3" being the smallest screen anyone would want to use this app on. I also know this wouldn't be limited to a single mobile OS, I am picking android since I won't be limited by a single companies hardware. I could even see hardware makers seeing this app and creating new hardware just to run this type of software.

If I do this correctly this will be one of the apps that people say why didn't I think of that. I just wish the stealing of ideas wasn't such an issues these days as i could tell everyone my idea and watch it become what I can see it to be.

update.
I have been on the XDA forums and read the rules and from what I am getting is that XDA devs create FREE apps and what i have in minds isn't going to be free. I am also willing to sell this idea to someone who could create it and that's not allowed in the XDA forums.

 

[Lordbob75]

If my pot shot guess at what this app is for is anywhere close to correct, this could be pretty cool.
Not sure why it would be needed though.

Anyways...
You might try starting to program it yourself, try and get a rudimentary model working. As said above, work up a whole flowchart and write out how it works and what it does.
Get what is essentially a business model for it. How will you sell it, what it will do, target market, pricing, benefits to buyers, etc.

After that, you might look on the app store to see what devs have done good jobs with their apps, and get in contact with them. You might consider writing up a non-disclosure agreement so that you can actually tell them what you have without fear of theft.

~Lordbob

 

[macgyver2]

lord bob,
need really isn't a word I would use, I have the target aud. I have the basic pricing and everything in between. I also have stretches of what screens would look like and if I could do animation I could even do a basic how the app will work etc. Thanks for the none disclosure agreement idea going to work that up now. I will say this about the app suite I am working on isn't like anything out there and the people using it are not people who might normally put mobile gadgets and there hobby/Pro together.

 

[Lordbob75]

Hmmm....

I don't know that you would need animation, but drawing out the more important screens could be helpful.
This could be a fun project

~Lordbob

 

[macgyver2]

yeah this is going to be really fun project I can already see a lite version being made just for people to play with. drawing out screens is something I have already started and have already changed once I see it. The reason I say animate is because it could show better multi touch and how the user would interact with the software. Granted I can explain all this with words but animation could really get to the point faster.

I am currently workin on a software Provisional Patent Application. To my surprise I already have about 90% of the required items to file the patent.

 

[FullyLoadedMan]

Make sure you have copies of all your sketches and work. Just in case.

 

[macgyver2]

already scanned the book pages with everything I have written and drawn so far. Thanks for the idea though.

taking this from what i have in the book and converting it into digital form which will make flow charts and stuff easier to make then draw by hand.