Company case study
Five-O Scanner
Five-O Scanner is an iPhone app that allows users to listen to police scanner feeds. It came up on My First Million, hosted by Sam Parr and Shaan Puri, in the episode "Dumb iPhone Apps Are Making People Rich Again (Here’s how)" (aired February 24, 2026). As told on the show: Generated eight-figure revenues, reportedly making around $5 million annually.
At a glance
| Podcast | My First Million |
|---|---|
| Hosted by | Sam Parr and Shaan Puri |
| Episode | Dumb iPhone Apps Are Making People Rich Again (Here’s how) |
| Aired | February 24, 2026 |
| Revenue and traction | Generated eight-figure revenues, reportedly making around $5 million annually. |
| Category | Media |
Figures and claims are as told on the episode, summarized from the transcript. Check the date: they describe the company at the time it aired.
What the episode said
Dumb iPhone Apps Are Making People Rich Again (Here’s how) · aired February 24, 2026 · hosted by Sam Parr and Shaan Puri
Why it works
It tapped into a niche interest in real-time public safety information, appealing to users who want to stay informed.
Founding story
Created by Alan Wong, who immigrated to the U.S. and started the app during the early days of the iPhone.
The playbook
Focused on a unique niche market and leveraged the novelty of the app in its early stages.
Also mentioned
The founder became somewhat of a celebrity in the app development community due to his success.
Why this works now (our analysis)
Most users underestimate the appeal of real-time public safety information. Five-O Scanner capitalized on this by utilizing the iPhone’s location services to deliver local police scanner feeds directly to users. Alan Wong initially promoted the app through targeted posts in local community forums, drawing in early adopters who were eager for immediate updates. A significant constraint for the business is the regulatory landscape surrounding police communications, which varies by state and may limit the app's access to certain feeds or require compliance with specific laws.