Rick Toone, Creative Director of MobiStories, Digital Books for Kids
Still Motion Media
Q: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DEVELOPING FOR THE IPHONE/IPOD PLATFORM?
A: 1 year
Q: DESCRIBE YOUR APP(S)?
A: Children’s interactive books. Apps based on published childrens picture books currently we have 7 in the app store and 5 more slated for release in the next 3 weeks. These are interactive apps. We also have 5 read to me only apps available.
Q: WHO IS/ARE YOUR APP(S) FOR?
A: Our apps are for children 2-10 years old. They are also for their parents who feel better giving their child a book than a game.
Q: WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE DEVELOPING FOR THE IPHONE/IPOD PLATFORM?
A: We morphed into app development as a natural progression from our company’s initial focus of creating digital picture books as computer downloads. For three years Still Motion Media has produced digital books in multiple formats: for computers (both pc and Mac), iPods, Zunes and PSPs. Our goal has always been to reproduce children’s picture books in digital mobile formats so that kids can have access to storytime whenever they want, wherever they go. The iPhone/iPod platform has opened a new avenue of interactivity in children’s publishing.
Our team is comprised of parents with entertainment, teaching and business experience. Several team members worked in the film Business in Los Angeles for over 20 years each, myself as an Emmy-nominated Art Director, our Operations Director as an Emmy-nominated sound editor, our Communications Director as an CableAce Award-winning Producer/Production Manager. Our President is experienced in business having brought one former company from a startup to a publicly-trading company with a market cap of over $700 million, and currently serves as the Chairman of the Board for the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation. We, like many developers of kid-friendly and family-friendly apps, are parents (we know what our kids like and will use), but what sets us apart is our company’s background which lends a level of quality not easily matched in this field.
Q: WHAT’S THE GREATEST AND WORST THING ABOUT DEVELOPING FOR THE IPHONE AND IPOD?
A: I think the worse thing is a developer’s self-limitations, whether that’s the time involved in development, the cost, or the creative possibilities. For instance, at what point do you determine the project is done and move on to the next? But that’s the greatest thing about developing apps – the freedom. We now have a platform where the sky is the limit.
Q: WHAT WERE YOUR MAJOR PROBLEMS WHEN RELEASING YOUR IPHONE APP?
A: Figuring out the app submission process from a developer’s point of view took some time. Unless youre already a tech person, some of the jargon is a bit difficult to decipher.
Q: DO YOU INTEND ON MAKING AN IPAD APP?
A: Yes, we have several in development now.
Q: DO YOU HAVE ANY COOL FUTURE PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE?
A: We are working on a fantastic picture book called “The Marvelous Toy” based on Tom Paxton’s hit song of the same name. We are making ita truly magical and marvelous book app like has never been seen before. It will include user-directed animations and original sound effects that both children and parents will love. Imagine Publishing, Inc. is the original book publisher and they have been more than supportive of our efforts. To see a teaser take a look at this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrnebhVVWuE
Q: ANYTHING YOU WANT IPHONE USERS TO THINK ABOUT OR REALIZE WHEN IT COMES TO APPS?
Apps are unlike a book, movie or TV show. They are non linear, meaning there are often many more choices than you would expect from traditional media. Explore! It’s also important to remember that you automatically get updates, so constantly revisit your older apps to see what improvements and additions have been made.
Q: ARE YOU LOOKING FOR EMPLOYEES, PARTNERS, FUNDING OR ANYTHING THAT WILL HELP GROW YOUR COMPANY IN THE FUTURE?
A: Yes we are looking for both funding and publishing partners to take childrens picture books to the next evolutionary level.
Q: WHAT IPHONE/IPOD TIP WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE OUR IPHONE USERS?
The best thing is to subscribe to a bunch of rss feeds to keep up with whats new. There are so many cool apps that its hard to stay on top. I also believe the app platform is the next thing. It is its own platform and not an extension of something that already exists. The other thing is apps are both kid and adult friendly. Apps are ageless, genderless and cross cultural. They are created to be enjoyed and to entertain on many levels. What you take away from the experience may be quite different than what someone else might get out of it. The interactivity of apps provides a uniqueness not found in other media.
Q: WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE IPHONE APPS BESIDES YOUR OWN?
Shazam, Arithmaroo, Blocked, Spinart
www.MobiStories.com
www.MobiStoriesBlog.com
http://twitter.com/MobiStories
http://twitter.com/MobiMom
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Tags: developer, iPhone, media, motion, showcase, still
