Richard Trammell

Onward Ever

richardtrammell — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:23:46 +0000

App development continues at The App Sack, not as rapidly as I’d like, but it continues. Your Ghost Stories, which is out now and getting some traction on iPhone, is now in development for Windows phone with an mid- to late-summer release schedule. Currently and very subject to change, we’re planning to get our to flagship apps — Camp Recipes and Your Ghost Stories — in the Windows Phone and Android Marketplace by late Summer and hopefully get a taste of each of those markets this holiday season.

Once we’ve tracked some solid analytic’s from installations/sales in multiple OS markets, we’d definitely like to determine if it’s necessary and feasible to develop our apps for all or the most popular handheld OS’s. Multiple platform development can be a beating with a small shop like The App Sack. Todd’s one of our partners at The App Sack and a code ninja for sure, but having to deal with multiple languages and SDK’s can make you head hurt as well as be seriously time consuming. Ideally we’re hoping testing the waters so-to-speak in multiple markets, allows some kind of “light bulb” moment and discovery that’s it’s not always necessary to develop every app on multiple platforms in light of the bottom line.

So, onward we go headed in to the summer, building apps, bass fishing, golfing and other awesome summer stuff. Have a great one!

Windows Phone 7. I’m Liking It!

richardtrammell — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 14:40:20 +0000

Since launching The App Sack and getting involved with iPhone app development I have been sold on iOS. And while developing Camp Recipes for the iPhone, I initially thought we’d continue developing “just” for the iPhone/iPad without much consideration for other handheld OS’s. Primarily because we’re a small development crew and have limited development resources. And, we just weren’t really feeling Android development and having to learn something entirely foreign to our crew. I’m sure from a business development standpoint, that doesn’t seem too smart and especially given Androids growth the last twelve months — I know it’s been phenomenal.

Well fast forward a year from launching The App Sack and we’re currently developing on what I’d consider the top three most prevalent handheld platforms: iOS, Android and Windows Phone 7. Which brings me to the point of this post, Windows Phone 7. I have to say “I’m Liking It!” It’s fresh, clean and snappy. I know there’s a lot of Microsoft haters out there, but they’ve done a great job here and I honestly think Windows Phone is going to takeoff and get some serious traction in the coming months and especially with the release of Mango. Plus Microsoft has the resources to get it done. Look back at XBOX several years ago. According to some experts it was never going to compete with PlayStation and not to mention the Wii. But look at the XBOX platform now and how it is thriving, a top selling, if not the top selling entertainment console. They invested heavily, showed the love to developers and got it done! I think they’re doing the same for Windows Phone.

On Windows Phone 7, I made the switch last weekend to the Samsung Focus running WP7. So far it’s working working great. The were a couple of serious app casualties from moving from my iPhone to WP7. The most expensive was GolfShot ($30) with no rival app on Windows Phone, will be missed for sure. The other popular apps I’ll miss are Words With Friends and Camera+. I’ll truly miss both of those and hope that someday zanga and taptaptap respectively will develop those for Windows Phone 7 too. Not likely, but it would be nice.

Okay, well back to it! Launch Illustrator, launch Photoshop, design, slice, get it to Todd! App development continues here at The App Sack!

The App Sack

richardtrammell — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 04:18:32 +0000

About seven months ago over coffee, beer, or possibly a cigar — I can’t quite remember the details — an idea was born. A novel idea, that I’m not sure about, but a solid idea nonetheless. Myself and initial partner , Bill Rucker (Ruck), thought it would be a sweet idea to bring simplicity to app chaos through themed app development.

“The App Sack” was born! We added Todd Carter (TC) to the Team — the one with programming skills — and we were developing!

As I mentioned before, we’re seven plus months down the road with our plan still intact and cranking along. We’ve been sidetracked a bit with the development and release of our first iPhone app, Camp Recipes! as well as diving into development for Android and Windows Phone 7. Needless to say it’s a little crazy developing for several different OS’s at the same time, but I am fired up, excited and looking forward to the crazy ride this year.

Additionally, if I discover anything worthwhile to offer on the design side of app development, I’ll pass it along here and on The App Sack blog as well! Talk to you soon.