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Two Indian students develop Apple's top paid app
By
SINS
| Wednesday, 02 June 2010, 20:03 Hrs
|
Bangalore: Two Indian born Stanford graduate students have created a $3.99 application in the iPad. It is the top paid app in the entire iPad section of the App Store.The Pulse Reader app in the iPad was developed by Akshay Kothari (23) and Ankit Gupta (22) at the Institute of Design of Stanford University.
Kothari said the project was inspired by 'a personal frustration at the whole news reading experience' on mobile devices. The stylish and easy to use news aggregator service was developed in the Launch Pad class, where the budding entrepreneurs are given an opportunity to develop and introduce a product in just ten weeks.
Pulse is a clean and visual news aggregator and the reader takes up to 20 news sources that can be followed and a visual mosaic of the news can be created. The article can be tapped and a clean rendered view of the news story can be presented. The app allows users to see text-only versions of articles, which are basically cleaned-up versions of a news site's RSS feeds, or to see the full articles as they are presented on the Web. It also lets sharing articles through Twitter and Facebook by passing the individual sharing tools presented by each news site.
News organizations are yet to get accustomed to iPad strategies but are quite hopeful about the success of pulse. "You absolutely do not have to give away something great for free," said Michael Dearing, a former eBay executive who is a teacher of the Launch Pad class. "If you build something great, people will pay you for it," added Dearing.
Nearly 15,000 people have downloaded this app and it has generated more than $40,000 in revenue, taking into account Apple's 30 percent cut. Akshay and Ankit have created a company, Alphonso Labs, and are now working on versions of the app for other devices, as well as talking to potential investors.
Kothari said the project was inspired by 'a personal frustration at the whole news reading experience' on mobile devices. The stylish and easy to use news aggregator service was developed in the Launch Pad class, where the budding entrepreneurs are given an opportunity to develop and introduce a product in just ten weeks.
Pulse is a clean and visual news aggregator and the reader takes up to 20 news sources that can be followed and a visual mosaic of the news can be created. The article can be tapped and a clean rendered view of the news story can be presented. The app allows users to see text-only versions of articles, which are basically cleaned-up versions of a news site's RSS feeds, or to see the full articles as they are presented on the Web. It also lets sharing articles through Twitter and Facebook by passing the individual sharing tools presented by each news site.
News organizations are yet to get accustomed to iPad strategies but are quite hopeful about the success of pulse. "You absolutely do not have to give away something great for free," said Michael Dearing, a former eBay executive who is a teacher of the Launch Pad class. "If you build something great, people will pay you for it," added Dearing.
Nearly 15,000 people have downloaded this app and it has generated more than $40,000 in revenue, taking into account Apple's 30 percent cut. Akshay and Ankit have created a company, Alphonso Labs, and are now working on versions of the app for other devices, as well as talking to potential investors.
Reader's comments (75)
1: Unfortunately lost its first place slot ..
Good reader however .. So nice try to the two
indian Stanford heroes!
Posted by: dosa - 01 Jul, 2010
2: Great work.. Invovation is the word. These
guys are Youth Icons :)
Posted by: Zoheb - 21 Jun, 2010
3: Why my comment was reported as abuse? what
was wrong in that?
Posted by: Ravi Khatana - 14 Jun, 2010
4: pls try to develop one OS for india
Posted by: jebakumar - 07 Jun, 2010
5:boss in an os for india...
vipul replied to: jebakumar
post - 10 Jun, 2010
post - 10 Jun, 2010
6: Excellent Work Guys.... Many Upcoming
Developers Must Have Inspire by ur work....
Posted by: Ankush A. Agrawal - 06 Jun, 2010
7: Keep it up friends...
Posted by: DINESH - 06 Jun, 2010
8: Best of luck guys...I hope that you make our
country proud..
Posted by: Aman Khan - 05 Jun, 2010
9: It is a symbol of excellence. Keep it up.
Posted by: vikas gupta - 05 Jun, 2010
10: Nice to hear that guys, its really proude to
hear a we are giving you all Courage. may god
bless you all your ways.
Posted by: shahan v hussain - 05 Jun, 2010
11: Good job guys .... Keep rocking...guys...
Posted by: Shyam - 05 Jun, 2010
12: Great guys:-)
Keep it up
Al de best for you future.
Keep it up
Al de best for you future.
Posted by: Kirantej - 04 Jun, 2010
13: Good job guys :). Keep rocking...
Posted by: Gopi - 03 Jun, 2010
14: Congrats. Keep it up.
Posted by: Mithun - 03 Jun, 2010
15: do not go hysteric in praising these guys
understand that these people are working in
USA and would continue to work there helping
the american economy
Posted by: cipher - 03 Jun, 2010
16:But Still US knows that these are indian
guys...
Ravi Kiran B replied to: cipher
post - 03 Jun, 2010
post - 03 Jun, 2010
17: rocking guys.keep it up...
Posted by: pijoe - 03 Jun, 2010
19: Good job dude . Keep it up.
Posted by: TK SINGH - 03 Jun, 2010
20: HI Congratulations can you develop same for
MTK chipset handset
Posted by: Shail - 03 Jun, 2010
21: Chaps like this should rule the R&D in
india ... Wish they come here and govt helps
them to flourisg... its a curse thar course
govt is a mess here ....
Posted by: Anonymus - 03 Jun, 2010
22:I agree with you. Being Indian is a great
thing but it's a shame that Indians are
crooks too. Not all but anyone in a Govt.
Role in India. Actually if you think about
all politicians are crooks globally! it's
what they can fill in their swiss bank
accounts !
China's problem is that they are communist, so there are many restrictions in a free enterprise market. They keep the price of their currency very low. So everyone is buying Chinese goods. 95% of the goods on store shelves here in the states are made in China.
India's problem is dual economies. Black and White money rule India. Did you know that $1500 Trillion dollars are sitting in the Swiss Banks just from Indians alone !
What does that say? Indians love money! Yet the divide in the country is growing exponentially. It's very sad you see a Bentley in India yet a starving child next to it.
I can go on and on but we need to fix the problem and stop being greedy ! India should be a first world country !
China's problem is that they are communist, so there are many restrictions in a free enterprise market. They keep the price of their currency very low. So everyone is buying Chinese goods. 95% of the goods on store shelves here in the states are made in China.
India's problem is dual economies. Black and White money rule India. Did you know that $1500 Trillion dollars are sitting in the Swiss Banks just from Indians alone !
What does that say? Indians love money! Yet the divide in the country is growing exponentially. It's very sad you see a Bentley in India yet a starving child next to it.
I can go on and on but we need to fix the problem and stop being greedy ! India should be a first world country !
Rajan Saxena replied to: Anonymus
post - 03 Jun, 2010
post - 03 Jun, 2010
23: I think this is not the place to say all
these thinks (Rajan) ,these gays has done
very good job ,let us congrats them ,and
about crook Indian ,i think u r also in same
family....
coco replied to: Rajan Saxena
post - 03 Jun, 2010
post - 03 Jun, 2010
24: Congratulations guys and simultaneously i m
also agree with Rajan.. becoz truth is always
remains truth rather there is a big success
or failure outside world... still i hope that
in a near future, with a booming of IT
industry in e-commerce sector, we can and
will eliminate this issue also.. so cheers..
talent has no limits guys.. keep rocking..
Ishan replied to: coco
post - 05 Jun, 2010
post - 05 Jun, 2010
25: We should congratulate these two young lads,
and ofcourse
the parents and teachers too. keep up the good work
best regards. ramrao , dubai, vision recruitment and management consultants, looking for jobs in uae and abroad plesse send your cv to vmcs@em.ae. We dont charge any fees from the candidates. We had placed more than 200 candidates since 5 years.
the parents and teachers too. keep up the good work
best regards. ramrao , dubai, vision recruitment and management consultants, looking for jobs in uae and abroad plesse send your cv to vmcs@em.ae. We dont charge any fees from the candidates. We had placed more than 200 candidates since 5 years.
Posted by: ramrao_dubai - 03 Jun, 2010
26: Great Job :)
Congrats
Congrats
Posted by: Avinash Patil - 03 Jun, 2010
27: Awesome job friends,, proud to be indian
Posted by: santhosh - 03 Jun, 2010
28: We (INDIANS) always provided powerful
features to world, but the outsider is still
not accepting us as a developer. I am giving
my blessing to Akshya and Ankit.
Posted by: Sanjay Kumar - 03 Jun, 2010
29: Congrats buddies, nice job:-)
Posted by: Shankar Mutnuri - 03 Jun, 2010
30: Congratulation! friends...
You Make INDIA proud...
Keep it up...
You Make INDIA proud...
Keep it up...
Posted by: Sachin Jain - 03 Jun, 2010
31: good one guys u've made India proud besties
for future endevours sia.....
Posted by: archana - 03 Jun, 2010
32: Nice to know this development. Congatulations
and best wishes for the future, Akshay and
Ankit !
Posted by: VRS - 03 Jun, 2010
33: common guys! but u cud ve done in INDIA, who
gonna say 'no' if u exporting it
Posted by: saji - 03 Jun, 2010
34:Work effort done by anyone anywhere should be
appreciated. Saji-- if you have nothing to
showcase for your work done in India or
abroad, then just keep silent. Don't belittle
anybodys work output. You are jealous and
whole silicon India pities your comments.
Rajesh replied to: saji
post - 03 Jun, 2010
post - 03 Jun, 2010
35: Good job done... Congrats to the team work
done.
Posted by: Dayantihi - 03 Jun, 2010
36: Excellent, Great job by two Indian guys
Posted by: RAMESH - 03 Jun, 2010
37:Excellent
praful replied to: RAMESH
post - 03 Jun, 2010
post - 03 Jun, 2010
38: Congrats Buddies for the excellent inovation
)
Really its a inpiration for all INDIAN techies.
good milestone!
Appriciation & good luck !
Really its a inpiration for all INDIAN techies.
good milestone!
Appriciation & good luck !
Posted by: Trilochan - 03 Jun, 2010
39: Congratulation! My dear friends.
Greate achievements! Well done! I am very Happy.
Greate achievements! Well done! I am very Happy.
Posted by: Ajay Kumar - 03 Jun, 2010
40: WELL DONE.
Posted by: MOHD NASEEM SIDDIQUI - 03 Jun, 2010
41: Good job done keep it up
Posted by: ganesh - 03 Jun, 2010
42: Congratulation, Well Done!
Posted by: Raghvendra Sharma - 03 Jun, 2010
43: great job guys,
once again keep the indian flag in the world Software
once again keep the indian flag in the world Software
Posted by: mohan krishna - 03 Jun, 2010
44: Congratulations guys ! We are proud and
privileged to have you between us. You have
done INDIA proud. Wishing you many more
inventions like this.
Posted by: Er Dinesh Bharadwaj - 03 Jun, 2010
45: Wel DOne Guys...Congrats..I proud to be an
INDIAN....
Posted by: Joy - 03 Jun, 2010
46: Congrats guys. Good jobs keep it up good
work.
Posted by: prasad - 03 Jun, 2010
47: Great Job..Congratulations.
Posted by: Rajalekshmi - 03 Jun, 2010
48: Congratulations
Posted by: Subrahmanyam - 03 Jun, 2010
49: Congratulation, both of two Indian Guys, Keep
it Up
Posted by: Mankeshwar - 03 Jun, 2010
50: apps are certainly going to be huge business
!! but not just apple appz there are whole
range of appz from different manufactures.If
I remember correct the best app for iphone
was the 'paint" app which is simple to create
but racked in millions. so getting the right
theme is the key in this business.I think
free applications earn more than paid
one's.
Great job guys!!
Btw there are indian boys from ranchi who are developing app for ORI watchout!!
Great job guys!!
Btw there are indian boys from ranchi who are developing app for ORI watchout!!
Posted by: Arulprakash Ravindran - 03 Jun, 2010
51: Good job done keep it up
Posted by: Sundeep - 03 Jun, 2010
52: It's good to know, Congratulation guys. Just
to tell, my team also work on iPad app and we
were able to deploy our application same day
as iPad public launch. But as it’s a local
search app so only available in US and West
Europe.
Posted by: Ravi Khatana - 02 Jun, 2010
53: It is a great effort.
Posted by: Nitin Kumar - 02 Jun, 2010
54: its great acchivment by indian students.....
Posted by: sreeni - 02 Jun, 2010
55: Proud to be an Indian
Posted by: Balaji - 02 Jun, 2010
56: great job dude .. gd. luck for u r future..
and try to reduce the price and cost of
production so that it will reach in the hand
of common man ..
Posted by: sushil - 02 Jun, 2010
57: Ultimately, it is coming to limelight that
Indian students can create something which
nobody has done before.A lot of Indians only
contribute to the success of Westerners.
Posted by: smriti - 02 Jun, 2010
58:Dear Smriti
I truly respect your opinion that the best of us usually contribute to the success of westerners.
However have you in your time of leisure given some serious thought as to why the Upper Echelon of Grey Cells gravitate more towards the Western world. Its just not the Money. Its a practical hassle free working point of view that attracts us. Most of us have lost faith are are slowly losing faith in the Greater Good we can do.
And I think you know what I am talking about. Simple Basic Example - When we have someone Spit on the Road its Okay Chalta Hain. But the same person would swallow the same spit if he was walking on a All American Clean Street. Why
Such Success prove WE ARE THAT GOOD AND BETTER but why is it WE ARE JUST NOT THAT GOOD for our OWN COUNTRY.
Bottom line Can we clean up the Envious Backward slums of our minds and create a New Renaissance Venice in effect.
It has to be a consistent chain reaction for the next 50 years for us to change. Till then there will always be an exodus of the good best better.
I truly respect your opinion that the best of us usually contribute to the success of westerners.
However have you in your time of leisure given some serious thought as to why the Upper Echelon of Grey Cells gravitate more towards the Western world. Its just not the Money. Its a practical hassle free working point of view that attracts us. Most of us have lost faith are are slowly losing faith in the Greater Good we can do.
And I think you know what I am talking about. Simple Basic Example - When we have someone Spit on the Road its Okay Chalta Hain. But the same person would swallow the same spit if he was walking on a All American Clean Street. Why
Such Success prove WE ARE THAT GOOD AND BETTER but why is it WE ARE JUST NOT THAT GOOD for our OWN COUNTRY.
Bottom line Can we clean up the Envious Backward slums of our minds and create a New Renaissance Venice in effect.
It has to be a consistent chain reaction for the next 50 years for us to change. Till then there will always be an exodus of the good best better.
Saurabh replied to: smriti
post - 03 Jun, 2010
post - 03 Jun, 2010
59: PERFECT !
Anonymous replied to: Saurabh
post - 03 Jun, 2010
post - 03 Jun, 2010
60: Yes i agree with you as well. we need such
minds working here. As long we don't change
our political and social fate nothing will
change in India.
Tan replied to: Saurabh
post - 03 Jun, 2010
post - 03 Jun, 2010
61: Hi Saurabh,
I agree with you that India requires such ignited minds in India. But the main point is that why people when go outside the India then only perform better. Why they not perform while being in India, so that our motherland as well as our brothers and sisters will also get benefited. Such persons should contribute in the development of India, and they should work for the Indian companies.
I agree with you that India requires such ignited minds in India. But the main point is that why people when go outside the India then only perform better. Why they not perform while being in India, so that our motherland as well as our brothers and sisters will also get benefited. Such persons should contribute in the development of India, and they should work for the Indian companies.
sanjeev replied to: Tan
post - 03 Jun, 2010
post - 03 Jun, 2010
62: @ Sanjeev, what are you talking about? Who in
India walks around with iPads or iPhones,
accessing the internet all the while either
with the phone company's net access or
wireless hotspots which India doesn't really
have suitably located? This app isn't
benefiting the world in a way that's changing
the future like you make it appear, its a
news app, which means it caters to a certain
segment of the professional world. Who in
India would pay $3.99 to access the same news
he/she could get from different sources?
Also, the reason these guys 'perform' in
other countries is that they have a free
environment and the technology and the
resources to do it all. We still don't in
India. Here's an example for you: How come
all Indian websites appear so crude but sites
designed by Indians for foreign companies so
sophisticated? For the most part, the Indian
is not motivated to perform as well as he
should. Outside India, ideas translate into
practical rewards, like money or reputation
which can take you places. When you talk
about 'such persons should contribute to the
development of India' you should give the
appropriate treatment to such people too. All
you expect is for someone else to do the job
and expect praise for the same. India has
always had smart minds, the Indian way of
doing things just kills them.
Tinu replied to: sanjeev
post - 04 Jun, 2010
post - 04 Jun, 2010
63:hi smriti
indians only contribute to the succuss of westerners is not true we are in a global company from venture funding ,participating in technology and developing all are interlinked and see in that way in anyother way it will create friction and unease
rama anne
syd australia
indians only contribute to the succuss of westerners is not true we are in a global company from venture funding ,participating in technology and developing all are interlinked and see in that way in anyother way it will create friction and unease
rama anne
syd australia
rama mohana rao anne replied to: smriti
post - 02 Jun, 2010
post - 02 Jun, 2010
64: I also Agree with Smriti. I know that we are
having lots of talent in each field. Most of
the indians who are in the IT industry are
working outside. If the whole talent was
utilized here then i think we were the
developed country.I think country should be
important for us at first and then ourselves.
The work done is good.It is responsibility of
all indian to work for india.Globalization
does not mean that we should not work for
our country.Best of luck for you development
Abhishek replied to: rama mohana rao anne
post - 03 Jun, 2010
post - 03 Jun, 2010
65: dear all,
Please don't blame each other. If you have capability of doing please do it where ever you want to. Its all about your own views and principles. Its very hard to be in India and grow because if you will be here its not a guarantee that your talent will be utilized in proper area.
Our culture is very different its affected by Political and social values and that's the reason, if you want to grow in terms of money, knowledge name, fame you should go where you can grow... bcoz time nikal gaya toh sab kuch bekar hai...
Regards
Sagar
Please don't blame each other. If you have capability of doing please do it where ever you want to. Its all about your own views and principles. Its very hard to be in India and grow because if you will be here its not a guarantee that your talent will be utilized in proper area.
Our culture is very different its affected by Political and social values and that's the reason, if you want to grow in terms of money, knowledge name, fame you should go where you can grow... bcoz time nikal gaya toh sab kuch bekar hai...
Regards
Sagar
sagar replied to: Abhishek
post - 03 Jun, 2010
post - 03 Jun, 2010
66: @ Sagar. Yours is literally the only sensible
comment, besides others making simple
'congrats' comments. Whenever an Indian makes
it big, every Indian lines up expecting to
get patted on the back because he/she's an
Indian as well. Come on, suggesting something
like why these stanford guys don't work for
India is such a ignorant and stupid thing.
These guys made the superior cut in life and
they pretty much did what was expected of
stanford students, made their brains pay for
themselves. How come news like this turns
into a political agenda platform? Indians
bask in the reflected glory of Indian
achievers, and just keep on making small
talk. Not one of these commentors has a clue
about how this iPad app will be remotely
useful people in India who are so financially
conservative. I am yet to find an Indian who
pays for the software he uses, and this
includes me too. Its just silly how Indians
expect successful Indians to abandon their
goals in life and come and 'benefit their
brothers and sisters in India'. What have
they done for these guys, huh?
Tinu replied to: sagar
post - 04 Jun, 2010
post - 04 Jun, 2010
67: I alos agree with smriti that indian are
behind the success of westerners. With lot of
examples you can without lot of
infrastructure indian doing his best with
constructive where others are not doing.
great indian.
ukbasak replied to: rama mohana rao anne
post - 02 Jun, 2010
post - 02 Jun, 2010
68: gud work dude.....
anand replied to: rama mohana rao anne
post - 02 Jun, 2010
post - 02 Jun, 2010
69: its great acchivment
Ranjan replied to: anand
post - 02 Jun, 2010
post - 02 Jun, 2010
70: Cong'rs..guy's. Keep working on your
discovery
lokesh replied to: Ranjan
post - 03 Jun, 2010
post - 03 Jun, 2010
71: Really huge Achievement.Kep it up. God bless
u!
Madhur Temle replied to: Ranjan
post - 03 Jun, 2010
post - 03 Jun, 2010
72:Well done....ma friends
u all have made India Proud
u all have made India Proud
Vikash Agarwal replied to: Madhur Temle
post - 03 Jun, 2010
post - 03 Jun, 2010
73: Good Job Guys ..All the best for your future
carrer
raj replied to: Vikash Agarwal
post - 03 Jun, 2010
post - 03 Jun, 2010
74: hear good things can be counted,,but in china
it happens every hour..,so its time to come
up with solutions rather then blaming that
stupid politician's..
raj replied to: raj
post - 03 Jun, 2010
post - 03 Jun, 2010
75: Excellent job. Very happy to learn the news.
Alimul Razi replied to: raj
post - 03 Jun, 2010
post - 03 Jun, 2010
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