BikeFixTO: iPhone app source code for sale

bikefixto screenshots

I built BikeFixTO - an iPhone app that shows your closest bike repair location. I’m thrilled with how it turned out: The UI is nice and clean. The animated sorting of the nearest locations looks great, and I personally use the app all the time. So, on all these technical fronts, it was a hit.

Where I’ve been less successful is on the marketing side. I never expected to sell thousands, but I expected to sell hundreds. And I had vague plans of rolling it out to other bike friendly cities. But, like so many developers I underestimated how much work it was involved in the sales process. It’s hard work to get the word out. Developers often have this idea that sales should be perfectly rational where the best software wins. The pitch is: “My software solves a problem you have. Therefore you should buy it.” And if there is no immediate response, they give up since clearly the person didn’t have that problem. The whole idea of “touching” people multiple times, reminding people, tweaking the message, running contests and having sales feels spammy and inefficient.

And that is why developer’s need to consciously stop thinking like developers when it comes to marketing. And if that isn’t possible, they should partner with someone who can better wear the marketer’s hat.

I would like BikeFixTO to take on a new life. I would love it to spread to other cities where it can promote cycling, local bike shops and bicycle culture. Personally, I’m not the guy to do that, but maybe you are.

I’ve decided to make BikeFixTO free*, but am selling the source code. For $199 you get the full source to an iPhone application that you can build, tweak, customize and sell. There are no limitations with what you can do, except that I require that you don’t distribute the source code (which would prevent me from selling other copies).

The code is also an excellent code base for anyone wanting to build location-aware applications. Some of the details about what you’ll find in the source code:

  • query data from sqlite database
  • custom sqlite function to calculate distance between coordinates
  • parse and display opening hours
  • animation to visually sort items
  • dial phone numbers
  • php code for displaying maps on a webserver
  • access GPS data

If you’re interested, download BikeFixTO and give it a test drive. Drop me a line if you have any questions or would like to purchase the source code.

*Update: I’ve changed the price back to 99¢, but if you’re interested in kicking the tires, I’m happy to send you a promo code.

*Update 2: I’ve updated the source to use MapKit.framework for fully dynamic map of all locations instead of a static map of a single location.

Posted: 09-Jul-2009 at 11:10 in: Toronto, UI, Geekery Toronto UI Geekery

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40 Responses to “BikeFixTO: iPhone app source code for sale”

  1. Chris Says:
    August 28th, 2009 at 17:39

    I would love to have a look at the app. Can you send me a code. We are looking for something like this.

    Where is the database info coming from?

  2. Kevin Says:
    August 31st, 2009 at 21:45

    Hi, I’m interested in purchasing your app, but I have a couple questions.
    1) Once purchased, will the ownership of current app in App Store be transferred to me.
    2) You said that I do anything, but sell the source. Does this mean that I cannot sell the source even if the app is changed, say 50%, into another app?

    Anyway, I am interested, and I would like to try it out, also. Please send me the promo code.

  3. Jason Moore Says:
    September 1st, 2009 at 7:27

    Hi Kevin,

    re: ownership - You are only purchasing a copy of the source code. The application remains in the app store. You are free to do what you want with it: study it, use bits and pieces, compile and sell a new app, etc. The only restriction is that you not distribute the source code. (Otherwise, it would be difficult for me to sell any additional copies.) Sure, if you heavily edit and rework the actual code, then it becomes a derivative work, and I would have no claims on those parts that you’ve worked on.

    I’ve sent you a promo code via email.

  4. Tanya HypnoSage Says:
    September 2nd, 2009 at 21:36

    Does the Toronto Cycling Union know about this app?
    If you want I can promote it a little bit for you just to see if it makes a difference.

  5. Mads Rasmussen Says:
    September 3rd, 2009 at 8:33

    I am interested in buying the source code, please contact me with the details

    Regards,

    Mads Rasmussen

  6. jonathan krogier Says:
    September 8th, 2009 at 19:32

    Hello,

    I am interested in buying the code, whats the best way to go about it and what is the current price?

  7. Jason Moore Says:
    September 8th, 2009 at 22:41

    Hi Jonathan,

    Thanks for your interest. I’ve sent you a promo code.

    [Note to anyone else reading: I’m going to have sporatic email access for the next couple of weeks. I won’t be able to reply as quickly as I would like to. Thanks!]

  8. iAppMedia Says:
    September 11th, 2009 at 8:57

    I may be interested, please send me the promo code and some thoughts on pricing.

    Thanks!

  9. Jeff Says:
    September 15th, 2009 at 15:13

    sell it to “just eat” they might have more profitable use for it:)

  10. Ben Says:
    September 17th, 2009 at 19:03

    Please contact me regarding the source code. Thanks!

  11. Richard Says:
    September 27th, 2009 at 22:41

    We are interested in the source code, please contact me for the details, thanks :)

  12. Kelly Says:
    October 2nd, 2009 at 11:38

    I’m interested in source code also. Can you send me a promo code and I will get back to you?

  13. Kelly Says:
    October 7th, 2009 at 10:55

    I would like to purchase, but not sure of process once I submit payment to PayPal?

  14. Dave Says:
    October 12th, 2009 at 11:23

    Hi I would like to buy the source code too

    Please email me paypal details

  15. Michael Says:
    October 13th, 2009 at 5:04

    I´m interested in this, please contact me asap!

    Thanks,
    Michael

  16. Timothy Says:
    October 13th, 2009 at 20:17

    Would you be interested in developing another app?

    Cheers,

    Tim

  17. Jason Moore Says:
    October 15th, 2009 at 13:07

    Wow, great response! I’ve replied via email to all comments.

    I just finished updating the app to include the much snazzier MapKit (available in the 3.0 SDK) instead of the static google maps image. I’ll be sending the update to those who purchased the source.

  18. Ronan Says:
    October 15th, 2009 at 14:37

    Jason, I’m interested in purchasing the source code. Well done MapKit!

  19. Joebot Says:
    October 22nd, 2009 at 15:15

    I’d be interested in checking out your code. Where can I download? Thanks…

  20. Francesco Aloisio Says:
    October 28th, 2009 at 8:34

    I would like to buy the source code, can you send me the details on how to do so?
    Thanks id advance.

  21. okayra Says:
    October 28th, 2009 at 10:27

    I am also interested in the source code, but I have some questions regarding language and map stuff because I live in other country.
    Thanks

  22. arch Says:
    October 28th, 2009 at 23:53

    i am willing to buy the source code. send me the info.

  23. kmoore112 Says:
    November 5th, 2009 at 10:20

    I would like to purchase the source code and can send me the promo code

    Thanks

  24. PJ Says:
    November 6th, 2009 at 9:15

    Hi,

    I am interested in the source code of the app. It looks I could use it as a base for my project, though not entirely.

    regards

  25. KK Says:
    November 18th, 2009 at 17:03

    We are interested in purchasing a copy of the source code.
    Can you please send a promo code so that we can download the app and testdrive it.
    Please send me us a mail with the details and we shall be in touch with you soon.

  26. Bhramar Says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 1:55

    Hi Jonson,
    We are interested in purchasing a copy of the source code.
    can you send me a promo code so that we can download and test it.

    Please send me the Promo code links with details as erliest possible.

    Best Regards

  27. Andre Says:
    December 18th, 2009 at 7:40

    I am also interested in buying a copy of the source code. Can you please contact me with some more details and possible pricing.

    Thanks & best regards,
    Andre

  28. Alex Says:
    December 18th, 2009 at 19:21

    Hi, I’m interested in buying the source code

  29. abdul Says:
    December 27th, 2009 at 5:54

    Hello,

    I am interested to buy your source code and would like to work with you in the future as i got some ideas which is interesting to make on Iphone.

    thanks

  30. James H. Says:
    January 6th, 2010 at 21:29

    Just curious if you had any luck selling your app and it’s source code. I, too, have an application already on the App Store and have no time to maintain it and am interested in doing the same thing if it’s worth it.

  31. Derek Says:
    January 28th, 2010 at 13:09

    James… would be interested in talking to you about your app…

    email me ad derek at dereksorrells dot com

  32. Jeff Nichols Says:
    January 29th, 2010 at 0:10

    I would like to learn more about buying this code. I want to use it as a blueprint into helping me learn coding.

  33. Mike Says:
    January 29th, 2010 at 17:57

    not sure if the code is still up for sale..please contact with the price and how to go about getting it…..thanks

  34. James Says:
    January 30th, 2010 at 16:56

    I’m interested in purchasing a copy of the source code. Please feel free to contact me.

  35. Alberto Torres Says:
    February 1st, 2010 at 3:22

    I’m very interested in purshasing your code, contact me, so much thanks.

    Regards

  36. Mendem Says:
    February 3rd, 2010 at 8:58

    I’m very interested in purshasing your code, contact me, so much thanks.

    Regards

  37. Beau Barnett Says:
    February 9th, 2010 at 17:25

    I would like to buy your source code. Please advise what I have to do .

    Thanks..!

  38. Adam Hunter Says:
    February 15th, 2010 at 10:55

    I am interested in buying your source code. thanks, Adam

  39. JJ Says:
    February 17th, 2010 at 5:56

    Hi,
    I would like to buy your source code. Please mail me the details and the steps to purchase thanks!!!

  40. TC Says:
    March 6th, 2010 at 21:37

    is the source code still available for sale? Could you please contact me to discuss.

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