[gurkendoktor]

iOS development != App Store success. This would actually be my advice for anyone starting out:

1. Make an app that looks awesome as a reference (and don't expect anyone to ever, ever use it)

2. Get a job as an iOS contractor

3. If you have enough experience and a good idea, make your decision between a reliable cash flow and becoming an App Store cowboy. But only then.

[PhilipA]

Definately a good idea. Hopefully it will change so good apps will be more important than marketing, but this will only happen if Apple changes their App discovery...