It's never too late to tack on a few more resolutions for the year, no matter the month. If you've been feeling inspired to take a class and pick up a new trade -- say, programming for instance -- but haven't had the time to do so, why not take an online class? Webucator provides instructor-led online training for those who are eager to learn but can't quite make it in time to set foot in a classroom. If you've been aching to develop some of your own applications for the iOS platform, or master Adobe Creative Suite, then this is your chance. Webucator is giving away one seat to each of these classes to two lucky Mac|Life readers.
One Grand Prize winner will win a seat in an upcoming iPad and iPhone course (valued at over $1,400) and another Second Prize winner will get a seat in an upcoming Adobe training course (valued at over $690).
All you need to do is comment below with what kind of app you'd like to develop, whether it be a game, a silly joke app, a soundboard, or something to aid with productivity. We'll pick two winners on Friday at 12:00 PM PST / 3:00 PM EST for both prizes.
The fine print:
Mac|Life "A Seat In One of Webucator's Online Programming Classes” Contest rules: One entry per person. The winner will be chosen at random from qualified entries. All entries must be received no later than March 11, 2011. By entering this contest, you agree that Future US, Inc. may use your name, likeness, and website for promotional purposes without further payment. Employees of Sponsor, its respective parent, subsidiaries, affiliated companies, and agents, and foregoing employees¹ household or immediate family members (defined as parent, spouse, child, sibling, or grandparent) are NOT eligible to enter Contest. All prizes will be awarded, and no minimum number of entries is required. If two or more people enter identical designs and that entry is selected as the winner, the entry received first will be awarded the contest prize. Prizes won by minors will be awarded to their parents or legal guardians. Future US, Inc. is not responsible for damages or expenses the winners might incur as a result of this contest or the receipt of a prize, and winners are responsible for income taxes based on the value of the prize received. A list of winners may also be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Future US, Inc. c/o Mac|Life Contest, 4000 Shoreline Court, Suite 400, South San Francisco, CA 94080. This contest is limited to residents of the United States. No purchase necessary; void in Arizona, Maryland, Vermont, Puerto Rico, and where prohibited by law.
gjerdske
May 24, 2011 at 9:06pm
I am a veterinarian and would like to build an app that could serve as a pet owners handbook for appropriate care and common at home remedies for their furry, scaly or feathery friends.
toadliy
April 04, 2011 at 5:57pm
An app that allows you to remotely control a small device, ideally hidden discreetly somewhere in your home, that fires tiny pellets at people's heads when they aren't looking.
niz
March 13, 2011 at 5:59pm
I actually have an idea that will make the iPad and other tablets indispensable in K-12 classrooms. Never mind ebook reader, think simpler.
kev_solid
March 11, 2011 at 10:56am
I've had an idea for some time; it would be an all encompassed education app that would tie into a website. Using the mobile app students would be able to keep track of assignments, calenders, grades etc. And yes there are plenty of apps that do all of these things; but the problem is their all fragmented and not collusive. It's ambitious yes, but could have a significant impact on the future of education in this country.
jtillman
March 11, 2011 at 2:39am
I would like to build a video game application called Stoopidpolitiks! You learn about politics through totally irrelevant games and storylines that connect the two.
shaneaaron
March 10, 2011 at 9:40pm
- I want to develop an app for the ipad2 that would look and operate just like the Vintage Diner Juke Box Players that sat at the end of the booths.
-This would be a great app for Parties or large groups; your guests could walk over to your ipad2 and select their next few of songs on the "ijukebox app" just like an authentic Juke Box Player.
-The app would look professional just like "iDJ app" but a real juke box.
-The ijukebox app would perform much differently from itunes' dj.
TotallyTapioca
March 10, 2011 at 5:57pm
As evidenced by the highly-popular TV show, The Sing-Off, a cappella groups across the country are taking the stage. In Sacramento, California, the vocal group Totally Tapioca has come to rely heavily on iOS technology for effective vocal rehearsals. From getting accurate starting notes and tempos on the iPhone to immediately sharing newly-written song lyrics via DropBox on the iPad, Apple products and iOS software have become central to our singing group's productivity. My app will integrate all of the above features - and add many more - to help other aspiring musical groups reach their artistic goals.
Blurcat8
March 10, 2011 at 10:22am
I would like to make an app similar to my all time favorite Mac game Greebles. Mahalo for the chance to win.
redcentmedia
March 09, 2011 at 2:10am
Stand in front of your prospective new/existing house target-purchase, snap a picture and within moments get a complete portfolio of the dwelling, neighborhood, schools, government, market, and financing, with ratings.
But, one better - with your own buyer/seller profile already input, forecast the entire cycle of ownership (e.g., acquisition-disposition) from purchase, to rehab/renov, to maintenance and operating costs, to refinance, and ultimately resale, all in present value terms. And compare the prospective returns before and after tax (i.e., ROI) among alternative choices. [2011 © Rossi - Just in Case.]
I know, you think it already exists. But, the markets are not widely disintermediated to any useful degree. I'm already started on a 22 county market in NE Ohio.
Buyers and sellers can't cost-effectively or otherwise economically individually bypass the middlemen (or women) in order to buy or sell directly and thereby lower offering prices (seller) or pay less (buyer).
aidanjones
March 08, 2011 at 10:22pm
I know this is kind of out there, but an app that would take a picture of sheet music, and play it (In different voices of course) and play it for you on your iPhone would be awesome. It would use dynamics. Also, it could play the music tempo based on what it says on the sheet music, or what the user inputs. I'll probably have to go with something less difficult first though...
Danpilsung
March 08, 2011 at 9:42pm
I would like to make an app that will finally allow for an "item" to be entered and synced to mac's quickbooks because the "other" accounting company requires a TON of extra steps to print a bill compared to quickbooks! I would also love to make an app that is in essence a social network that people can upload a "so a funny thing just happened to me..." complete with picture/video upload. Oh, and another app for a game that is every minority working together to over throw the evil groups that are bigoted! :) or even one that lets you drive other cars off the road called road rage...upset someone cut you off...well press a button and ram 'em off the road!!!!
zPod
March 08, 2011 at 7:46pm
I would make iPhone app that would be like a mobile version of iWork, only better what is available now. And I would also like to make a awesome iPhone game, but not sure what it would be about yet. I wish I could figure out Xcode.....
mgmiller68
March 08, 2011 at 7:44pm
I would like to build a wave machine application on the iOS platform. It's kind of like a lava lamp but a little different. When I went to my local flea market as a kid, I would see this wave machine, which is a rectangular shaped clear lucite box filled with a blue liquid to represent water. And each end of the box would go up and down in a seesaw kind of motion, resulting in waves being generated and sloshing from side to side. I think this would be a great relaxation app to run on an iPhone, an iPod Touch, or even an iPad. It's not a game but just a relaxation application.
Jvicker1
March 08, 2011 at 3:23pm
There are 2 apps I would like to create:
1- For homeowners and landscapers, be able to take a picture of a weed/plant that's in their yard and be linked to the type of chemical used to get rid of the specific weed, and told the name of the weed that it is. Possibly be linked also to where to buy the chemical in the area. However if it is a plant, tell how to take care of it.2- For lawn and garden store owners/mechanics, parts look-up programs on mobile devices
Arlen Nagata
March 08, 2011 at 2:19pm
I'm developing several apps for churches and would like to integrate more features like Bible, podcast, & facebook integration.
bossman696
March 08, 2011 at 2:13pm
I work both as a graphic artist (Day Job) and a part time iPhone Developer (Flight Deck in itunes) for myself and I would love you be able to know more about both. I know just enough to be dangerous, and my programming skills could really use some fine tuning. I love to play and design games and would really like to do a fast paced line drawing game or puzzle game with levels that randomly generate as the player progresses. I think a course designed to teach individuals from the ground up would allow me to learn things I missed trying to learn it on my own.
HugoT
March 08, 2011 at 2:13pm
I'd like to building a marble parental app for playing time on the iPhone or iPad. My daughter earns her play time on these units and its difficult to keep track of marble counts if you're away from the marble jar!
dragwit
March 08, 2011 at 2:04pm
RealTutor, an app that communicates with real tutors to assist students from grade 1 through grad school to get help on assignments and projects. All paid for with in app ads!
OJO187
March 08, 2011 at 2:00pm
I'm want create a universal application that helps families with special needs, "handicap". If it's because of a child, parent, sibling or themselves anyone should have the ability to find a ADA accessible restroom. A restaurant that that has an open floor plan for easy maneuvering of wheelchairs or walkers. Activities in their area that are accessible or work with special needs. And of course this app would be user populated and would grow with use so all the information is first hand from someone who knows what it's like.
"A disability should not mean exclusion"
humphreybear
March 08, 2011 at 1:55pm
I would create a location based "easter egg" app for Walt Disney World notifying the user of little known details throughout the parks.
ResearChameleon
March 08, 2011 at 1:54pm
I would like to develop an app for our library system. This would allow access to our collection as well as our uploaded multimedia files via QR codes (book trailers, podcasts, website links, etc.).
iTechLSC
March 08, 2011 at 1:51pm
I would like to create an app for iPad to help students study for LSAT and GRE testing.
dd0723
March 08, 2011 at 1:05pm
There's an app that I would like to build to send data to a custom made database back on the iMac or PC at home for certain photographers to store model releases and ID's, but I don't have the "know-how" to developing for iphones or ipads.
There's still no such tool for photographers that cover that particular need, and would like to know how to build it.
llee
March 08, 2011 at 12:53pm
I would like to develop custom apps that could be used at my place of work.
andrewj116
March 08, 2011 at 12:47pm
I would like to develop a Coffee Shop game app, a player would have an Espresso machine in front of them and would have to satisfy orders. This would differ from a regular cooking game in that the Espresso machine would function in the same way that a real Espresso machine would actually function, as well as measurement for each beverage.
Paul K
March 08, 2011 at 11:57am
I would like to develop an app to help autistic individuals interact with others.
Snarkicist
March 08, 2011 at 11:07am
iPubCrawl - uses GPS to locate you and your group. Shake your iPhone to randomly select a nearby establishment (based on a database). Go to that place of business, shake your iPhone to generate a random beverage. Order said beverage and consume in a responsible manner. (Chug! Chug!) Rate establishment. Move on to the next one! (May not be of great use in small towns with only a VFW.) (Please drink responsibly.)
jtran
March 08, 2011 at 10:44am
The idea that I would like to build an app for iPad is so called "Children Dictionary + Vocabulary + idioms" where I can make it so intuitively enough for all children to understand and learn it easily at the same time and the most important thing I would do is to offer it "Free" to all and if any donated funds available, I would love to use it to buy all iPad's to all under privileged children.
"Our children are the future of our nation." What little I can do, I will!
opiapr
March 08, 2011 at 9:56am
I will love to develope mobile apps in the productivity sector. I have a couple of ideas for some apps that mibile professional aln journalist will love. I also have a nice idea for a proffesional photographers app.
Ablaze4God
March 08, 2011 at 9:40am
I would create an app for my church. We wanted to do one for the church but the cost to hire out is so expensive. I'd love to be able to give back to my church for all they've done for me and my family!
pesacadman
March 08, 2011 at 7:54am
I would create some civil engineering and structural analysis apps to start!
emagen
March 08, 2011 at 7:37am
I would like to create an app that would allow anyone to catalog their entire video game library. The end goal would be to have an app that would allow you to search and enter the details by hand.
On the flip side of that, it would be nice to actually just scan the game box and have the data auto populate. The app itself would tie into a website data base where you would login and view your collections.
Just a fun idea that i had a while ago.
Thanks,
Jesse
micjefhar
March 08, 2011 at 7:31am
My wife teaches 3rd grade with a focus on English-language learners. I would be interested in creating an app that can help bring the interactivity of the iPad into this.
I'd also like to develop an unofficial encyclopedia app for one of the action figure lines I collect.
In addition, I have an idea or two swirling in my head for some story-based games, and maybe an interactive picture book or two.
JPuent
March 08, 2011 at 6:49am
I would love to learn more... I am writing apps but self taught... not a programmer by trade... want to see if there are better ways to do stuff!!! pick me!
rayansud
March 08, 2011 at 6:30am
I would make an ultimate hi-def FPS/RPG like Infinity Balde but better (universal, of course), for just $0.99. It would have a war theme like Brothers In Arms. I know only a bit of Python, and nothing about Objective C, Cocoa, C#, C++ or anything else. Pleeeez pick me!!!!
vicieux
March 08, 2011 at 3:39am
I would LOVE to develop a to-do app that would reward the user with coupon vouchers for popular places when reaching a certain amount of completed tasks (only legitimate tasks which i would need to figure out how to funnel). Who wouldn't want to be rewarded for being productive?
Of course I would need objective-c as well as hopefully ios development courses for this
aliceshoping
March 08, 2011 at 2:56am
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jpmoudry
March 08, 2011 at 1:17am
As a school administrator, I have a vision of an iPad app for easier teacher record keeping. It would allow teachers to easily share with parents beautiful graphics of student progress in all developmental areas that are truly helpful (not just pretty and not just a bunch of data).
To work, it has to be SUPER EASY to input data (read: little to no typing).
I've got the idea sketches, just not the technical know-how.
jlcarpenter
March 08, 2011 at 1:02am
I would develop a pitch tracking application for baseball and hopefully be able to expand it into a scoring app. Another idea is for a workout app.
20Michael03
March 07, 2011 at 11:51pm
I would build an app for a nonprofit organization to show the compassionate side of myself and a reflection that there is hope out there. Followed by an expanded application for my small business.
ucjuicy
March 07, 2011 at 11:49pm
my hello world app would be a farting flashlight, called flatulight - copyright - trademark - i keeeel you
sakuragirl
March 07, 2011 at 10:56pm
I want to develop a subitizing tutorial. A person with high-level proficiency in subitizing has higher mathematical capability than people with less-developed skill. Subitizing is the ability to see an array of dots or other objects and be able to instantly quantify them. You use subitizing skills when you look at a die and see three or however many dots on the top. Most people can handle around seven dots. But with practice, one can learn to see twenty or thirty or more dots accurately and instantly. I'd like to develop an app that exercises this ability using interesting images and motion, with a quiz to show progress over time. Ideally the app would be interesting to both kids and adults.
pthompsen
March 07, 2011 at 10:45pm
I would be interested in developing apps for use in college classes in communication studies.
maclover
March 07, 2011 at 10:41pm
I would love to make a gradebook app, that a teacher could easily keep track of her students, right on her iPad.
jozsef.varga29
March 07, 2011 at 10:07pm
I would like to develop an app that uses photos that you've taken and add 'real' looking evidence of alien life.
dannyboy65
March 07, 2011 at 9:32pm
I would like an Ipad app that can view multiple medias in a presentation setting. The viewer will be able to choose between the presentation slide, a surveillance video feed (such as a nursery) as well as connect to any links attached to the presentation.
notoole10
March 07, 2011 at 9:23pm
iFarm. iRanch.
Coming soon to an App Store near you.iFarm. Managing your farm just got easier.
A few features...
-Keep track of plots.
-Keep track of growing seasons.
-Manage crops.iRanch. Managing your ranch just got easier.
A few features...
-Keep track of livestock inventory.
-Manage medical records.
-Calculate before buying livestock.______________________________________________
I know a lot of farmers and ranchers who have iPhones or iPod Touches and would find this app very helpful.
imamac2
March 07, 2011 at 9:06pm
I would like to make a Golf Score and Handicap application that is OSX based, and then make an accompanying iOS application.
