Exclusive Interview With Todd Bernhard, iPhone App Developer

Hi Todd, can you tell our readers how your app was originally thought of, what were your thoughts behind the marketplace, specifically?

Sure Joanne, AutoRingtone came about as a response to specific user requests from our first app, 100sounds. 100sounds came out in December 2008, and is a fun soundboard app that plays hundreds of sound effects. Users asked if they could use the sounds as ringtones, so we made them available at no extra charge. But increasingly customers would ask for specific ringtones that said specific messages, such as “Your girlfriend is calling.” We tried to create each and every one but it occurred to us that the best solution was Do-It-Yourself custom TEXT-TO-SPEECH ringtones and AutoRingtone was born!

Can you tell us how you came up with the colors and themes ideas, design, Todd?

Our goal for AutoRingtone was to provide complete functionality on a single screen, so users can create ringtones quickly and easily, without navigating back and forth. With hundreds of contacts, 20+ voices, and 100+ sound effects, we didn’t want to make users jump through a lot of hoops to create each ringtone. We actually worked face-to-face with Apple’s User Interface experts, to make some enhancements, which was a great opportunity.

Who do you see as the main target market for this app?

Well Joanne, we have a broad range of users. Professionals use AutoRingtone for talking CallerID so they can tell who is calling without looking at the phone or remembering what song is for which contact. On the other extreme, we have a lot of AutoRingtone users who leverage the uncensored nature of our TEXT-TO-SPEECH voices to create some pretty funny ringtones.

How long did it take from the original planning to the production process of your app Todd?

The idea for AutoRingtone really came out over the past year, based on feedback from users of our 100sounds app. But the programming took several weeks. AutoRingtone is more than an app. AutoRingtone is also a service with a dedicated server with redundant RAID 1 mirrored disks and a high speed Internet connection.

How do you view your sales, is there a good solid market for this style of app?

Fortunately, there is a solid demand for ringtones. People love the iPhone, but they love to customize it even more. Allowing users to create unlimited, uncensored, unique ringtones, for one low price has helped AutoRingtone PRO stay in the Top 100 in its category, ever since launch (November 2nd, 2009).

What has been the hardest obstacle you have had to overcome regarding this app development?

The biggest obstacle is getting visibility. Once users see AutoRingtone in action, they like it. So the real challenge is getting potential customers to see the app. The App Store description doesn’t allow for a great deal of customization, so we have a video demo at http://www.AutoRingtone.com showing prospective customers how it works.

Would you consider developing apps for third parties?

We are working with some partners to create customized versions of our apps. Stay tuned!

What have you learnt from the App Store since you launched your app?

We have actually compiled lessons learned from marketing our apps in a FREE eBook entitled “App Store Success,” available at http://www.AppStoreSuccess.com. It is our effort to give back and share some of the secrets we have learned.

Have Apple supported you well with your app?

We were very fortunate Joanne, to get some facetime with Apple’s User Interface experts. They really liked AutoRingtone and gave us some constructive suggestions.

What next, are you developing another app? Would you go for the same genre again, if not which?

We continue to enhance AutoRingtone, and its sister app, 9,999 Ringtones Uncensored, with more voices and features. We have several non-ringtone apps in the app store and more on the way.

The Apple iPad – what are your thoughts about it and how do you think your app will integrate?

The iPad is a remarkable device. While I am disappointed there is no camera built-in, I think it has great potential. Without phone call capabilities, the ringtone apps don’t really apply, but we have plans for other iPad apps Joanne.

What do you think of our site – http://www.iPhone.Maccreate.com have we helped you market your app well – do you like our design – would you recommend us?

I would certainly recommend Mac Create. Developers who rely only on the App Store for their marketing are in for a rude awakening. Traditional advertising, in print and online, is essential to getting the word out.

Thank you Todd for this really great interview, I’ve learnt so much and I know our readers will too. Best wishes Joanne.

Price: $0.99/Download