Has anyone got any experience in how aps for iphones/ipads etc are made?
Apple released some software (software development kit ...SDK) that's mostly used to create apps that run on their products. You will need to have at least a moderate ability at coding to get the best out of it.
iOS Dev Center - Apple Developer
Would not a well designed and interactive website that is designed to work well both on an mobile apple platform, Apple macs, Android, MSwindows, Linux etc etc probably work out better for you?....just my 02.
..have no idea whether it would cost me $300 or $3000 to have it made
Yes you could put your app out for tender to a whole host of coders who will do it for you. For 3G you could hire a couple of Indian coders for a whole month or more to write the app for you.
I think what you really need to do is think hard about how you want it to get out to your end users. More Android based phones sold the last couple of months than Apple! So you see where I am coming from when I advise you look over whether a good website might be more suitable.
Also you can use the Google software development kit & tools for nothing and they do not charge you for putting it out to your intended users.
Android SDK | Android Developers
The above link is brilliant! I recommend that you at least give a couple of the tutorials a crack so it will give you a feel of what is possible.
I hope that was of some help to you.
