Joel Evans is the founder and CEO of Cronk Games, Inc.  Previously the founder and "Chief Geek" of Geek.com, Evans now specializes in leveraging his more than a decade of mobile, Internet and wireless experience to bring existing brands and technologies into the mobile and wireless space.  He also serves as a technology expert for a number of well-known publications and authors and regularly advises corporations, analysts, journalists and bloggers on what the future of technology will bring. Joel will be presenting at the March Providence Geeks Dinner Wed. the 18th 5:30-9pm. Get details and RSVP here.

These days everyone either wants or already owns an iPhone or iPod touch. The devices carry that mystique that only Apple can deliver and even if you don't need one, you HAVE to have one. While the device can make calls, surf the internet, and guide you from place to place, one of the most popular features that it offers is access to the App Store. If you're not familiar with the App Store, it's a part of iTunes where Apple offers applications (more than 25,000 at last count) for either a price or for free. The Apps range from utility applications to games that can rival the best console experience.

The success of the App Store has now forced other mobile providers, including Microsoft, RIM, and others, to develop and offer their own App Store. This is all great news for mobile phone users as more applications mean more ways to use your mobile phone.

The reason I've given you the quick history above is that it's because of this new "App" ecosystem that our company, Cronk Games, is a success.

For Cronk Games, I brought together a team of industry experts in console gaming, infrastructure architecture, mobility, social networking, and development tool construction. We made sure to focus on the experience of the game and application first, and which platform it would be delivered on second. Since our founding in 2008 we have already deployed our first successful title, Cronk, on the App Store, with versions for Windows Mobile and other platforms coming in the second half of 2009.

Another piece that differentiates Cronk Games from other iPhone or mobile developers is our proprietary rapid prototyping engine (RPE). Our RPE allows us to develop and test on a variety of platforms. As an example, we most recently used the RPE to build and test our first title, Cronk, in Linux, then compile it in the iPhone Software Development Kit (SDK), with final delivery on the iPhone.

Our development process in conjunction with our RPE allows development to proceed much faster than your typical developer using just the Apple iPhone SDK.

With the combination of an experienced team, rapid prototyping engine and a first game already shipping on the Apple App Store, we are weeks away from releasing an enhanced version of Cronk, including high score support, and delivering our second title in the May timeframe. In addition, we are well positioned to design, develop and deliver other companies' applications to not only the App Store but other mobile platforms.

The above is just words. To see our development process in action and a sneak peak at our roadmap, come to Providence Geeks next Wednesday.

Click here to read Joel's interview with PBN.