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Godswill Utionkpan
985 PointsWhat can I do if I don't have a laptop?
I saw the video and the instructor was using a mac. I only have a desktop, what else can I do?
3 Answers
Stone Preston
42,016 PointsMacs can come in laptop (Macbook pro, macbook air etc) or desktop form such as an iMac. When you say desktop do you mean you have a computer running Microsoft Windows?
If you have windows then you will not be able to develop for iOS easily. Xcode (the program he is using in the video) only runs on OS X, which will only run on Apple hardware without breaking the TOS. You could possibly get around this by using a VM (which might not be easy to get working, do a google search for how to run OSX on windows or something similar and you will find something) or a service such as MacInCloud.
You can still learn and write C code on windows pretty easily with IDE's like CodeBlocks or Visual Studio. Windows probably has a C compiler on there by default as well. you can probably even find a compiler for objective c to use. But you wont be able to actually develop an iPhone app.
If you want to get into mobile app development on windows without going through much hassle, take a look at the Android Track. Android development can be done easily on both windows and OS X.
Andrew Molloy
37,259 PointsIt's not always possible but for a general guide to building a "hackintosh" this article is a good primer. http://lifehacker.com/the-always-up-to-date-guide-to-building-a-hackintosh-o-5841604
For me personally it was a very painful experience and you're better off just developing for Windows, web and Android and if you get to a point of earning enough to buy a mac do so. One of the reasons I bought a macbook was because of XCode and developing for iOS. When it comes to Apple development it does take a bit of financial investment, even registering on the app store costs about $99/year last time I looked. I really would urge you to just become a good developer with the free and cheap tools already available to you. You can make money from those skills just as easily.
Godswill Utionkpan
985 PointsSo if I start using the android development track I can make money to start making apps for apple?
Andrew Molloy
37,259 PointsJust to elaborate I have an older OS X (Snow Leopard) running in a virtual machine. It needs a good pc to run it that way and I was never able to update it past that which is not ideal if you need to use the latest XCode to develop for the lates iOS. I don't even use it any more as I bought a macbook since. And it took many steps and some "hacks" to even get that virtual machine working.
Andrew Molloy
37,259 PointsThere's nothing to stop you selling Android apps. And if you do then you will have money to invest in Apple hardware. But you have to really ask yourself why you want to make apps for Apple devices? My day job (which pays quite nicely as a contractor) has up to this point almost 100% been non-Apple in software development and in fact iPads etc were only ever a secondary consideration. If you think that you can only earn a living from Apple based development you'd be wrong :). So what is your reasoning for targeting Apple?
Godswill Utionkpan
985 PointsI am targeting apple because I think I will get a greater audience which will buy or download my app there. Can't you earn money from making apple apps?
Andrew Molloy
37,259 PointsYou can but I don't think it's necessarily any more lucrative. When you look at the statistics, nearly 80% of apps on the Apple app store are unused. It's really not about the platform as much as it is about making a quality product or app. I'm not saying don't develop for Apple, but you don't have to do it exclusively for Apple and certainly not when starting out when you don't have the hardware and software. Like I mentioned it will still cost you $99/year to register on the Apple app store. And if you're just looking to make money I don't think you will succeed. Your driving force should be problem solving, passion, and creativity. If you're only looking purely for where you think the money is I don't think you will achieve it. You cite Bill Gates and Steve Jobs but I don't think either of them did what they did because they thought they would make a fortune, they pursued what excited them, interested them and followed a vision. So think about what it is you want to achieve (but not money). And look at it this way you could test out whether an app idea works and is wanted on Android first for much cheaper then you can redevelop it for iOS if it's worth doing so. The best app companies don't develop for a single platform alone. And the iOS developers I know do so because they're also big iOS and Apple users and have a good idea of what Apple users want because they are Apple users themselves.
Godswill Utionkpan
985 PointsI am sorry Mr. Molloy. I will start with android development and I will concentrate only on the fun of it. I have another question sir: Can the apps I make in android development be used in any device?
Andrew Molloy
37,259 PointsIf created right (and the Android courses will guide you) they should work in most if not all Android devices.
Godswill Utionkpan
985 PointsOkay, thanks. When I am done making the app,should the app be free for download or not?
Andrew Molloy
37,259 PointsDepends on the app and business model you want, free to make yourself know, paid for, free with ads and separate paid pro version, free with in app purchases. It's really heavily dependent on the type of app you're going for or even if it's a game.
Godswill Utionkpan
985 PointsOkay I will make it free.
Helios Vazquez
3,606 Pointssometimes is use my iphone,
Godswill Utionkpan
985 PointsGodswill Utionkpan
985 PointsSo what can I do sir?
Stone Preston
42,016 PointsStone Preston
42,016 Pointsif you want to develop for iOS you can try and find a way to get OS X running on your PC. if you cant/dont want to go through the trouble of doing that I would just do the android track.
If you just want to learn C (the first half of the objective c basics course) you can use one of the IDEs i mentioned above (CodeBlocks is free, visual studio is free for students) to write and compile your code. you could also do it with just a text editor and a command line assuming you have a c compiler on your machine.
Godswill Utionkpan
985 PointsGodswill Utionkpan
985 PointsMr.Stone, when I grow up I want to make apps for all devices, I want to build my own technology, and I want to make my own technology business and soon be successful as Bill Gates or Steve Jobs! How do I get OS X running on my Windows 7 HP Desktop PC?
Stone Preston
42,016 PointsStone Preston
42,016 PointsI cant tell you how to do that. There are too many steps and its not a simple task. Just google "How to run OSX on windows" and you should be able to find a video or something that goes over how to do it.
Godswill Utionkpan
985 PointsGodswill Utionkpan
985 PointsThank you very much Mr.Stone, I appreciate it.