Having experienced this very thing, I can say: there's a good chance the other guys had already made their app in some form long before this guy did. Don't worry, bro: everyone has had a cool idea (all of which are very cheap -- ideas, that is) and then seen someone else doing it later. The good news is this though: if you're dishonest and connected enough, you can still make your app succeed. Especially if it's worse than your competitors'. I have a strong suspicion that that's how it's usually done.