Apps Would App development allow me to be self-employed?

[NiallJD]

Hey,

Just a little backround first.

I'm a 21 year old student at University studying Computer science, i'm familiar with Java, C++ and C#, i'm a good enough programmer but i'm no expert. I'm doing a placement/internship at the minute and in 6 months time I will return to University to do my final year.


I'd love to create an App and I am really interested in Mobile technologies. Creating an app would also give me experience in final year as I have to submit one for one of my modules.

I'm completly new at developing Apps but my question is if I started learning and developing now would I be good enough in 18 months time to actually work for myself developing apps and bring in some kind of wage for myself?

Thanks for reading, I hope to become an active member of these forums.

 

[thibaultj]

Well, making money with Android is not a piece of cake. Because once you developed the app, you have only done 5% of the work. Then you need to spend time creating graphic assets, a website, marketing, promoting, getting money, etc.

I'm sure it's possible, but it's a long term job. I don't know if someone really living selling android apps can confirm that.

 

[jonbonazza]

You also need an idea that sells. You need an idea that is either (a)innovative and hasn't been done, or (b)has been done, but is implemented much better than the competition.

In the fast-growing mobile sector, both of these are rare occurrences.

EDIT: Another option is to develop apps for other poeple/companies on contract.

 

[thibaultj]

I wonder into what intent is it possible to sell an app just because your marketing is better. The user base is so huge, there muse be enough rooms for several apps with similar features, but targeted to different niches…