So you’ve got an idea for an app. Now what?

As a stress-free guide to the wide options available, I’ve been browsing the free eBook “Mobile Developer’s Guide To The Galaxy” (available from this site). Some benefits:

• Device and Code Agnostic. They discuss a good cross selection of app platforms out there (for example, Blackberry and Firefox OS, although they freely admit a focus on Android/iOS, which acount currently for about 95% of the key markets).
• Software Agnostic. If you’ve ever wondered about alternatives to coded apps, this guide explains that. For example, apps in HTML5, or using SMS (messaging) for simple services. For example STK (SIM Application Toolkit, for apps that interact with the SIM card) have contributed to micro-payments apps in Africa.
• Tool Overview. I thought I was ‘up’ on the different app development packages (especially cross development), but there are quite a few out there according to this guide, which has a good overview.
• Live Links. You can click to find out more (with the PDF version, obviously). Makes research fast and easy.

If you’re in the planning stage, or wondering what’s the best path out there for coding options, give the guide a quick review. Continuously updated since 2005 (the fourteen edition was this past February), it can get you familiar with what’s available, and aid in planning your next app, as well as your company’s app development direction/focus.