I am interested in reskinning apps for Android.Does reskinning the available source codes just add to the numerous existing similar apps?

Not necessarily, if your app can potentially serve different markets with different demographics, it may be beneficial to market to each market individually. Since app interface often serves as a marketing tool, it is important that it resonates with its target audience. This means having a different interface for the same set of functionalities depending on your audience may be prudent.

On the contrary, if you are simply trying to create variations of the app for a single market by short-cutting user testing and hoping that one of the interfaces will generate more interest, you are then over-saturating the market and may actually hurt yourself by creating unnecessary confusion for your users. I would suggest looking into what other apps your target audience is using and working off that to create a single user experience which would resonate with them.

My name is Michael and I am an Entrepreneur, Adviser and Innovator in a Small Business and Technical Solutions arena. I'd be happy to offer you additional assistance if you are interested.

Reskinning is a fast and inexpensive way to test a market with your idea. For example, if you have an idea for a photo booth app, you can dramatically reduce your costs by licensing a source code from Chupamobile.com or Brightnewt.com. If the app monetizes well (which depends just as much on marketing as on your concept), then you can iterate and tweak monetization. The thing to keep in mind is that your app, even if it uses an existing codebase, must be beautiful, unique, and entertaining (or helpful). Cloning existing apps won't necessarily translate into a profitable portfolio. But taking a popular type of app like a photo booth app, giving it a fresh, interesting theme, and putting a smart marketing plan behind it can be a really smart angle on the app business. Whether or not reskinning is a profitable venture depends on the person. I've developed over 30 apps for iOS and Android, and am happy to share more insights. Hope this helps, Austin