Building an iPhone app

How difficult is it to make an app for the iPhone/itunes? Do you need to have to get deep and dirty into the programming side of things, or is there an easier way?
 
I really fancy making a simple gym planner app. It is more for fun than anything else, but I haven't done any programming for about 15 years, and even then my knowledge was limited.
 
I was wondering if it was like making websites, where you can do it from scratch using HTML, but you can also use a program like Dreamweaver if you don't have that knowledge.
 
If anyone has produced an app, or has any information I would be very grateful.
 
Cheers.

Not sure on wysiwyg programs - I'd imagine not.

Its Objective-C IIRC

Apparently you can only do it if you have a Mac?

My mate is a software developer and was going to try and make a quick buck but apparently its Mac only. Which seems odd.

Can anyone confirm this?

Hmmm, well if it's Mac only then thats me done anyway. I'll have a check, one sec...

Boolox. I quote:

Making an Apple iPhone/iPod Touch app is not a venture that should be undertaken lightly. There are two significant investments that you must be willing to make:

1. Financial investment: you will need an Intel-based Mac computer with Mac OS X 10.5.5 Leopard for developing your app, as well as a couple of test devices (preferably both an iPhone and an iPod Touch). Plus, you must be a registered member of the Apple iPhone Developer Program, which costs $99 for the basic edition.
2. Time investment: even the simplest iPhone app will take a considerable amount of time to develop. Yes, you could blow a simple app out your posterior in about two weeks' time, but a true sales contender could take a couple of months for development, testing, and distribution.

All the other stuff is not necessary but it seems like you do need a Mac. I'm sure Dr Z will be able to confirm that if he passes through...

Iam pretty sure I have seen some Snow Leopard virtual machine packages that run on intel platforms around the net so that could solve the mac side of things.

I was wondering about the virtual thing. Surely someone must have come up with a PC based emulator of some kind.

It's to get programmers to buy their machines, as we all know they cost a ****ing fortune. You could always get a cheap mini mac, I guess.

There are people that do it through their PC's.

http://www.hackintosh.com/

This is a group of people who install Snow Leopard and Mac OSX on their PC's.

Figured there must be someone doing it.

Will let my mate know. Unfortunately he doesnt have any ideas for an app.