Several months ago we reported that Apple was in the process of cracking down on “cookie cutter” apps in the App Store. That process continues, with apps being pulled or rejected for using standardized templates. With the approval process becoming more streamlined and strict on Apple’s end, many of these apps no longer make it to the store in the first place. Apps are dropping like flies and companies are shutting down or suspending their operations left and right. While there are no hard figures on the actual number that have been pulled, or definite reasons why they are pulled, this issue continues to strike a chord with developers. Just last week Apple released a statement responding to that community: “We are relaxing all restrictions on the development tools used to create iOS apps…in addition we are publishing the App Store Review Guidelines, to help developers understand how we review submitted apps.” Click here to check out the review guidelines.

Either way, Mobile Roadie’s ongoing relationship with Apple has continued to keep clients confident. “While we may provide a platform that allows anyone to build and manage iPhone apps from a central template, it’s a highly customizable template that our clients can count on,” said Rob Swope, Communications Manager of Mobile Roadie. “You can rename and reorder sections, upload custom graphics, media, and other content, or have our design team build a theme for you. Also, top-notch partnerships with companies like Brightcove, Soundcloud, Topspin and Ustream, assures that the content we do allow in our apps will be of the best quality. In addition, our advanced API and the ability to bake in custom features from outside developers create exciting possibilities for the builder and a positive experience for the user.”

With that said, a long list of updates will be released by the end of October, and along with it, the bottom line becomes that much clearer: Mobile Roadie apps are simple at their core, but powerful when customized, just the way Apple likes it.  It’s no surprise that some of the most successful brands and individuals in the world trust Mobile Roadie.  So stop thinking about building a mobile app and join Madonna, Taylor Swift, The Wynn Las Vegas, The Miami Dolphins and Drake, on your own quest for a mobile experience.  It won’t be too long until you have some “mobile roadies” of your own, downloading your app all over the world!

I don’t believe that people should make an app just to have an app. Here are a few things I believe make a great app.

1. Quality design. The user experience is important. Everyone has “ADD.” The way things animate, slide in and out, are readable (or not), and function in a “natural” way has a direct correlation to your user’s enjoyment of the app. Attention to design detail matters.

2. Great content. This may be a given but it’s vital and worth repeating. Don’t put last year’s videos, or audio, or photos, or events in the app. Upload your best stuff. Add exclusive app-only content. Engage your users inside your app on a regular basis and they’ll come back often.

3. Use location. Knowing where your users are is a huge advantage over the web. Use this to your user’s benefit. Send them relevant geo targeted push notifications. Offer them location-specific content. The future is all about personalization and location is a huge part of it.

4. Add some personal flair. This could be a custom design theme. Or your own personal top 10 video list (Ashton Kutcher’s doing a great job of this with his A+ list of top videos updated weekly). Or a weekly show (Taryn Southern’s weekly show on Ustream is streamed into her App). Whatever your personal flair is, Mobile Roadie gives you the tools to express it.

Mobile Roadie is the most powerful, viral, and customizable app platform out there. Take advantage of our tools. Be beautiful, interesting, location-specific, and express your personality in your app. That will keep your users coming back.

EL Media Group provides custom background music as well as audio and video design and installation to some of the world’s top retailers, restaurants and hotel chains. They are, by definition, a high-end company providing a top quality service to their customers. So what do they have to do with Mobile Roadie, you ask?

They are currently sponsoring a talent competition over on Sonicbids where three winners will receive their very own Mobile Roadie iPhone app and one talented winner will get 15 hours of recording time in the studio with Grammy nominated Ernie Lake in New York City.  The contest is open to musical artists in a variety of genres, with everything from Acoustic to Soul and R&B.

As if that wasn’t incentive enough, between now and February 28th, any Sonicbids artists can get $50 off the price of their own Mobile Roadie iPhone app simply by entering the promo code “sonicbids” during checkout. In addition, two runner-ups will be awarded a free iPhone app in the Pop/Rock and Hip Hop/R&B categories.

The submission deadline for the contest is February 25, 2010, so don’t delay in getting your entry submitted.  While it does cost $10 to join Sonicbids and submit your entry, you are guaranteed to get a response from EL Medial Group by March 25, 2010, or you get your money back. So why the fee in the first place? Sonicbids considers it something akin to quality control. By putting a few bucks where your mouth is (in this case, your music), they can filter out hundreds of entrants who are not serious about the contest.  This way provides money for the music community on Sonicbids and helps to connect promoters with artists who are serious about their work and genre.

We know you don’t want to have to go through all that frustration, and we know what it takes to get the job done. In fact we can happily say that MobileRoadie currently has a 100% approval rate with MobileRoadie apps submitted to the iPhone app store, with approvals averaging two to four weeks.

That’s why we think you shouldn’t let yourself get frustrated by the process, just put MobileRoadie to work for you and let us get the job done right – the first time.