We recently interviewed Gregg Weiss, President of Blue Whale Web Solutions. You can check out their impressive >iPhone App Development portfolio on their web site.
Mobile Orchard: Please tell our readers about Blue Whale App Solutions.
Gregg Weiss: Blue Whale Web Solutions is an app development company based in South Florida, with offices in NYC and Chicago. We focus mainly on iOS apps but as of the last 2 months are starting to dive into Android. We have created apps for clients such as SummerFest (the largest music festival in the world), Porsche Club of America and Engadget among others. We also work with entrepreneurs and small businesses to help them define their objectives in the mobile app space.
MO: How did you get into iPhone app development?
GW: Like most app development companies, our previous expertise stems from the web world. I started Blue Whale over 5 years ago doing custom website designs, application development and SEO. When the iPhone came out and the iOS SDK became available it was a natural progression. There are a lot of apps that require server side integration so there still remains a big “web” part to app development.
MO: What changes the iPhone/iOS were you most excited to see?
GW: Multitasking getting released this past summer was huge with the 4.0 update. Integrating twitter and facebook APIs provides that viral effect for apps that can really help get the word out in a natural way.
MO: Which app has been the biggest challenge for you as far as development goes?
GW: Ha – great question! Some projects are more challenging than others, but often it’s not a direct correlation between one app being more difficult to do than another. The challenges mostly arise when you have a 3rd party, like a client’s IT dept that is in control of the API and the data. Because you have to rely on someone else, that tends to add time to the project plan. Other common challenges are speaking with people who have “ideas” but no clearly defined requirements document or they havent thought about how much the entire process will cost, so they have unrealistic expectations as to what they can accomplish within their budget.
MO: How do you think app developers will benefit from Verizon having the iPhone?
GW: Glad to see this is finally happening after a year of rumors! Combined both carriers account for 62% of US mobile subscribers. Verizon alone has about 90 million subscribers. I personally know a lot of people on Verizon who want the iPhone and will get it, but wont switch to ATT b/c of the spotty reception. What this means for app developers is that next year we should see a huge boom in app downloads, as Verizon gets the iPhone. Very excited for this. Same goes for the iPad being sold at Walmart, Target and ATT/Verizon stores.
MO: Do you think it is a good time to get into iPhone app development?
GW: It’s always a good time to get into anything. What if Google decided not to get into the search business because there were already 5 major search engines? From a business perspective, whether large or small, you need to have a mobile strategy. Apps cannot be ignored and they are here to stay, its not a fad.
MO: What tips would you give someone who is just starting out developing apps?
GW: First and foremost, understand what you are trying to accomplish and start a requirements document. Whether you are hiring a developer or trying to do it yourself, you need to have a clear roadmap and understanding of the features and functionality.
Use mock up/wire framing tools (there are several on the web) to help you establish the user flow and user exeperience. Lastly, if you are not a designer, don’t pretend to be one. Hire a great designer.
MO: What is going on with app development for the iPad?
GW: We have an iPad app called Boating Weather, which is a port from an existing iPhone app that shows you the local marine forecast from NOAA. We have an app we are submitting this week called Motion Doctor. It is for a Physical Therapy practice and includes over 60 videos to help pain prevention. It also has a national directory so you can find a licensed PT practice. Medical iPad apps are already having a big impact in productivity for Physicians, Healthcare and Patients. I just spoke on a panel at the Mobile Health Expo in Las Vegas a few weeks ago all about apps. From a strategic standpoint, Blue Whale will be focusing on Medical iPad apps over the next year or so.
MO: Finally, what is your favorite app?
GW: Hmm…..my favorite depends on what the situation is. If I’m needing to kill some time – I’m always on Facebook, Twitter or playing Angry Birds or Cut the Rope (both are additive games).
Productivity wise, I use Grocery IQ for my shopping list pretty much everytime I go food shopping.
I use Boating Weather iPhone app to check the marine forecast a few days before I’m about to go out fishing.
Our Night Reader app is a great handy flashlight app for iPhone 4. I use this all the time when I cant find my key to the front door and I forgot to put my outside lights on!
I play guitar and the Ultimate Guitar Tabs app is great.
Pandora of course for streaming radio
Dropbox for sharing files.
Last but not least, Position App for checking the position of all the apps we have done.
MO: Thanks for the excellent list of apps and also for the great interview, we appreciate you taking the time to answer our questions. Best of luck to you and Blue Whale Web Solutions.
If you have any questions you would like to ask Gregg please post them in the comments and I will see if we can get him to answer them. As always, we hope you enjoyed this interview.