What is the scope of an unregistered IRB?
Do I even need IRB approval for my research?

Quite probably, but if you are exempt you must get the exemption from an IRB.

What do you recommend for my situation?

You are trying to use a community college to solve a problem (research and product development) that community colleges are not intended to solve.  Don't do that.  If you want to learn to do research, get a PhD at a research university.  If you want to make a product, go get a job at a company that makes products.