By way of background, I have an undergrad in CS and worked as a C++/Java programmer 10 years ago. I also have some experience with web development (LAMP). I'd like to get into mobile development (apps) for iOS, Android, etc. but quite frankly have no idea where to start.<p>If I choose a platform now (iOS or Android), am I essentially "stuck" in the platform or can I jump between the two? What do I need in terms of knowledge, skills, funds(?), to begin this learning process? The objective is to know enough to put together a team of devs, designers, to execute on B2B mobile apps.
<i>but quite frankly have no idea where to start</i><p>Pick up their respective SDKs, read their docs, and spruce up on their primary languages (Objective C for iOS, Java for Android). Having a device for each will be needed in the long run, but you can get started with just the SDKs and emulators.<p><i>If I choose a platform now (iOS or Android), am I essentially "stuck" in the platform or can I jump between the two?</i><p>Not really, but as mentioned above, you will be jumping languages in most cases. If you're planning on supporting both platforms (or more), standardizing your back-end and any intermediary code/technology will save time and effort.<p><i>What do I need in terms of knowledge, skills, funds(?), to begin this learning process?</i><p>Funds will be specific to your venture, but a good foundation in C++/Java is more than enough to get you started. Get reading!
When you are targeting multiple platforms, it pays to choose an abstraction framework like titanium or phonegap. Using these frameworks, your app can easily be ported.