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Who Is Ethan Nicholas?
Posted on January 30th, 2010 28 comments
He’s the dude who has raked in over $1,000,000 (before taxes) from writing an artillery game for the iPhone named iShoot. In 2008 while working full time at Sun Microsystems (sold earlier this week to Oracle), using an old Mac and new to Objective-C, in a few weeks time Ethan cranked out iShoot which became available 10/19/2008 on iTunes. It had some action as a paid app – $2.99, but not all that much. Over Christmas without any research and on his own, Ethan decided to crank out a free “Lite” version of iShoot, iShootLite which was posted shortly after Christmas 2008. Bam, the sales of the full version took off and the results are history. It is now available on mobile phones “everywhere.”So we’re about entrepreneurship, and we’re happy and glad Ethan is rolling in the green stuff. But what we really want is to roll ourselves! So roll up your sleeves, to to iTuens U, and study Stanford’s Computer Science 193P: iPhone Application Programming. It has been downloaded over a million times and will get you off and running. One of my presvious Learning Community students, Tim Watson has several apps up on iTunes, and is working with Eugene from Fall 2009 ENTR200′s Learning Community on a game. Tim will be in our ENTR200 classes next Tuesday to provide an overview of iPhone (and by association iPad) development. Go for it. You might surprise everyone including yourself! Hank
28 responses to “Who Is Ethan Nicholas?”
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Spencer Childers January 30th, 2010 at 07:46
i play this game all of the time. i have never downloaded the payed app but the lite version is still fun and addicting.
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Craig Hasbargen January 30th, 2010 at 12:36
This was one of the first apps I downloaded for my iPod touch. It is in the same category of the computer game, Pocket Tanks. I have not even checked what other features are offered with the paid version because there are so many available with the lite edition. Must be great to have a hobby that pays that well…
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Spencer Abrams January 30th, 2010 at 13:26
It’s amazing how many people are taking advantage of these “get rich quick” opportunities coming up with iPhone apps. If only I were smart enough to do it… It will be really interesting to see how long it takes before the next big thing hits the shelves and the iPhone falls off the map. Apple is really limiting itself in terms of revenue by only offering the iPhone to AT&T subscribers. I’m hoping some smart company will pick up on it and have a new universally available product hit the shelves within the next few years.
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Brett Cohen January 30th, 2010 at 13:32
Developing apps for the iPhone is something really cool. It surprises me though, how quickly an app can sky rocket by simply creating a lite version. This is not the first story that revolved around creating a free version to get people to buy the real one. I guess free samples work well.
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Amanda Edmondson January 30th, 2010 at 14:33
I had no idea there was a downloadable document that teaches you how to make iPhone apps. If I wasn’t in ENTR 200, I never ever would have known about it. I’m starting to realize how much I’m learning because we talk about what is really going on out in the world. I wish I was more technical and could take advantage of this relatively cheap way to make money. I am excited to listen to Tim on Tuesday-maybe he will be able to inspire me to get more technology savvy!
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Kyle Egbert January 30th, 2010 at 16:03
Looking forward to the speaker. Its always a great opportunity when a new platform comes out to be the first dog in the mix. It goes to show how free is the new biggest thing to make money today.
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Jacob Son January 30th, 2010 at 19:56
I actually have this app, and I must say that I quite enjoy it. However, this “ishoot” game is not a new thing at all. This tank vs tank gaming concept has been around for awhile. I think what makes ishoot special is the realistic skyline, the creative weapons, and the intriguing levels. All in all, an excellent app. Kudos to the designer!
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Jaideep Singh January 30th, 2010 at 20:48
Awesome game played the lite version on my ipod touch. Looking forward on meeting him in the ENTR 200 class.
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Colleen Cahill January 30th, 2010 at 21:35
I have a friend who designed a few stupid apps that I have downloaded to be nice, but I like the possibility this offers. Apps are becoming like lesser video games that are completely portable, cheaper, and more assessable. Unlike video games however, you don’t have to be hired by Nintendo EAD to market your product successfully. I can see how creating apps can be very rewarding. I would love to see some of the abstract games I play in my head realized on my iPhone. This new craze can only mean one thing: more distractions from my responsibilities! Yay!
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Byron Young January 30th, 2010 at 22:15
This is pretty cool; a simple app design at the right time has produced some serious cash flow. It has taken the game applications to another level. My younger brother has downloaded a whole bunch of apps on his IPod Touch and the popularity is growing!
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Justin de la Chi(cago) January 30th, 2010 at 22:18
I am excited to hear from a self-motivated developer. I know plenty of people in the tech realm, but seemingly none of them have any knowledge of developing apps for the iPhone/iPod touch platform.
It is quite incredible the way this technology has changed the world. I, much like others in the Mac community, are salivating over the possibilities that the iPad brings.
J
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Ziang Chen January 31st, 2010 at 02:00
APPs are the newest way to make the money. Apps are so popular for smart phones like iphone and now the android system. These markets could be huge selling places for many types of software that customizes smartphones to the owners content.Unlike computer technology. There is a lot of freeware however fewer people will try to learn mobile code so there is less freeware or less quality of freeware. Thus such a competitive market is completely possible way to create a great market of opportunity.
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Damon Ward January 31st, 2010 at 02:36
Just goes to show that what we would call a “simple” game can make someone so much money. I think that having Tim come in is a great idea. I know that I have read a lot of information online about what goes into developing apps, but hearing it from someone who has done it will definitely be more informative.
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Soroosh Karamyar January 31st, 2010 at 11:59
I have not tried this app but I will download it now. You know life is good when your hobby hooks you up with $$$$$.
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Andres Cabrera January 31st, 2010 at 18:09
I think the game is amazing I have it in my ipod and I play it in a regular basis. Im looking forward to meet the speaker to learn more interesting things about applications and also about apple products phenomenon how it has revolutionize technology and the way people use technological devices.
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Courtney M. Cronk January 31st, 2010 at 19:52
It’s interesting how capable anyone is of being able to make there own app. i have never played this game but im going to make my boyfriend download the free version just so i can try it!
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Frank Hettlinger January 31st, 2010 at 20:36
Another way to help me waste time? I’m definitely downloading this app and promise not to play it in class…. maybe…
I’m glad that iPhone apps have eventually come to a level that anyone can program for the iPhone. There will be many new and innovative ideas that people who are not computer savvy will be able to implement because of this easy way to create programs.
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Stephanie Mellady January 31st, 2010 at 21:56
Before this class I had no idea it was relatively easy to create apps for Iphones and that you don’t have to be a computer wiz to figure it out. I think that being user-friendly is one of the Apple’s biggest draws and as technology improves doing things such as creating apps will be very common among people. Who knows, maybe in the near future we will be using an Ipad to create an app to give class presentations.
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Meiqi Zhao January 31st, 2010 at 22:23
I do not know much about this fun game.
But the story makes me think that it is not very difficult for anyone to connect them with big companies. Changes are created by ourselves. -
David Hyman January 31st, 2010 at 22:27
I unfortunatly do not own an iphone or itouch myself, but when I get my hands on my friends, it is hard for me to put them down. The apps are amazing, and there is an app for just about everything. And if there isnt, I am sure someone is trying to make it happen. This is a great way to make a quick buck!
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Keegan Klauke January 31st, 2010 at 23:13
All it takes to do this is some time to burn and 200-300 dollars to buy the development pack. there are tutorials all over the web, so if you really are into making a lot of money with little input (about a month or two) than get one of these kits!
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Ben Albers February 1st, 2010 at 01:59
It seems that I may have to be making some money soon. Its awesome how iTunes has alot of great things that were produced by regular joes like us.
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Casey Piquette February 1st, 2010 at 12:27
This seems like a great way to launch idea because there is not much investment. Also, a majority of people would be able to create an app on their own and not even have to bring in any outside help. Especially the way these apps are going to be developing, its a good idea to get in the market now!
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It is great to hear that so many people have taken advantage of making apps. I think its a great investment for someone to take time and create apps for the phone. Many people carry phones on them at all times, thus they want entertainment at thier fingertips!
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Blake Bronowicki February 1st, 2010 at 18:45
I think developing apps for the iPhone is a very complex and very interesting thing. It requires a lot of intelligence and a lot of creativity at the same time. I am very happy for Ethan who designed such an app that would rake in so much money at the same time. This is exactly what putting your mind to something can do and now this guys liven very well and still to this day is more than likely receiving plenty of downloads off such an amazing app. Congratulations
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Mahmood Alrawi February 2nd, 2010 at 08:21
this is a great idea for “easy money” if u know how to do develop an app everyone loves. My brother is actually working on an app right now, and it seems that he should be done with it very soon. I check the app store everyday for new stuff to come out, its addicting!
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Steve Maniago February 2nd, 2010 at 10:35
It is amazing how someone can earn so much money for a stupid little game on the iPhone. It just goes to show you that people will buy anything if it entertains them
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Joseph Mecca February 3rd, 2010 at 13:52
This been some comments about how he has made so much money off of a “stupid little game” or other terms of belittling his accomplishments. The way I see it is that he’s applied his entrepreneurial skills with programing/encrypting or whatever it takes to design an app and made his idea a reality. When it comes down t it his game entertains and provides a leisure to thousands of people, which is why he is deserving of his money earned. A profession as a social worker though may be considered more noble, is something that proves a service to very few. His efforts serve much more and his money is well merited.
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