Philly CocoaHeads - Podcast Details

Shows

Side Project Spotlight #105: How Alex Hillman Built an AI Assistant with Claude CodeIn this episode, Alex Hillman, co-founder of Philadelphia's legendary coworking space Indy Hall, takes us through his journey building a sophisticated AI executive assistant using Claude Code. What started as a simple terminal experiment in October 2025 has evolved into a full production system that autonomously manages network diagnostics, email workflows, relationship tracking, and newsletter automation. Alex shares the technical architecture, real-world stories of AI-powered problem solving, cost insights, and his thoughtful approach to building trust with AI while maintaining strong ethical guardrails.## Chapters- 00:00 Coming Up...- 02:01...

2026-02-161h 22

Side Project Spotlight #99: We Got One!It's been one week (at time of recording) since Bento Fit v1.0 was released and someone gave us money! Kotaro is recording from an undisclosed location, so in this quick episode, we discuss our week 1 metrics, how much this app cost to make, and what we want to do next to try to make Bento Fit more useful, more marketable, and hopefully, eventually, profitable.## Show Notes- Bento Fit: The Story So Far- Someone Gave Us Money! - How Much Did Bento Fit Cost...

2025-10-1339 min

Side Project Spotlight #98: Bento Fit v1.0We did it! Bento Fit v1.0 is live in the App Store! In this episode we engage in a retrospective about the good, the bad, and the ugly of the process. We learned a lot, that's for sure.## Show Notes- Bento Fit v1.0 is out! - https://bentofit.app- Ship-a-ton submission - https://devpost.com/software/bento-fit- The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly - ## Good - LLM coding (50% good) - The...

2025-09-3057 min

Side Project Spotlight #97: The Final CountdownAs The Trio race to complete Bento Fit v1.0 in time to submit for the Shipaton hackathon, they pause to discuss the new iPhones, iOS 26, folding phone creases, and the TikTokification of UI interaction. ## Show Notes- iPhone 17 Event- iOS 26 RC- Bento Fit: Updates - Polishing continues - Removed watchOS and widgets - Bug fixes for app persistence- Bento Fit: Final Sprint - Kotaro: Onboarding - Stephen: Revenue Cat Integration

2025-09-1539 min

Side Project Spotlight #96: Race to the Finish LineWe are running out of time to finish our "Bento Fit" app before the Ship-a-ton deadline! This week, we go through what's left to be done and what we are cutting as we race to the finish line of v1.0.## Show Notes- Apple September 9 Event- Bento Fit: The Story So Far- Bento Fit: Race to the Finish Line - What do we need to left to do - Monetization strategy - Finalize name...

2025-09-0155 min

Side Project Spotlight #95: Definitely Not “AI” GeneratedThis is a short and sweet episode with some Bento Fit updates from Kotaro and Steve, plus some overly ambitious goal setting for next time! First up, Kotaro used the ChatGPT Xcode integration to prototype a welcome screen that sounds cool, but we can't see it because his iOS SDK was deleted! Then we review the latest version of our app icon as implemented in Icon Composer and talk about some of the quirks and features of this cool new tool from Apple. Then Steve goes on a technical deep dive about his latest refactoring, pushing complexity into an...

2025-08-1844 min

Side Project Spotlight #94: Kotaro’s Dystopian NightmareKotaro's laptop burns hot as he gives his impressions of the iOS/macOS 26 public betas and life with ChatGPT inside Xcode. We also discuss dystopian nightmares about "AI," give some Bento Fit updates (Aaron has a PR!), and announce our participation in a cool new hackathon!## Show Notes- It’s hot outside!- iOS/macOS 26 Public Beta impressions- Xcode 26 ChatGPT integration impressions- Kotaro’s Sci-Fi Dystopian Nightmare- BentoFit: The Story So Far- BentoFit: Updates

2025-08-0447 min

Side Project Spotlight #93: App Design for “AI” ExperiencesOnce again, Steve "pair programmed" with Aider + Claude Sonnet 4 to further refactor BentoFit while drinking at Human Robot. Meanwhile, Kotaro has been again thinking about App Intents and the paradigm shift in app design they may portend. Then we get into some interesting discussions about how the combination of Apple's focus on App Intents and the "Universal UI" of LLMs may combine to fundamentally shift how we design app experiences.## Show Notes- BentoFit: The Story So Far- BentoFit Updates - Steve: Better async...

2025-07-2150 min

Side Project Spotlight #92: Pair Vibed Pull RequestWork progresses on code name "Bento Fit" as Steve does some performance refactoring using Aider and Claude 4 Sonnet while Kotaro polishes up the iOS 26 UI changes. We also have a discussion on the trade-offs of using "AI" tools in programming and the importance of intellectual labor and little bit about what it means to be a "professional."## Show Notes- BentoFit: The Story So far- Steve: Improved loading time by “pair programming” with Aider and Claude Sonnet 4- Kotaro: iOS 26 UI updates- Ne...

2025-07-071h 07

Side Project Spotlight #91: Liquid DonkeysThe Trio have played with iOS 26 and have thoughts about adapting to the new Liquid Glass paradigm as well as the real star of WWDC25, the Foundation Models Framework.## Show Notes- Adapting to Liquid Glass- Foundations Model Framework- Azam Sharp Foundation Models Framework Course - https://azamsharp.teachable.com/p/getting-started-with-the-foundation-models-framework - Coupon code: PHILLY - Discount: 40% - Expires: July 31st 2025- Bento Fit will be iOS 26 Exclusive? - TestFlight...

2025-06-2355 min

Side Project Spotlight #90: WWDC25 - Everyone Is Sherlocked!The Trio give their hot takes after viewing the WWDC25 Keynote and Platforms State of the Union presentations.## Show Notes- Keynote / SoTU Impressions- Liquid Glass / New Design Language- “macOS” on iPad- Xcode 26- Foundation Models Framework / Spotlight- Visual Intelligence Intents- Realtime Language Translation- What Developers Should Be Excited About - Foundation Models Framework - Games- BentoFit Test on iOS 26- Ev...

2025-06-1055 min

Side Project Spotlight #89: WWDC25 Hopes and DreamsAfter some Bento Fit updates, the Trio explores their hopes and dreams for WWDC25. ## Show NotesGoogle I/O Cold OpenBento Fit: The Story So FarBento Fit: Updates- Steve: Refactored HealthDataPoint with generics- Kotaro: Refined UI & Widget layout- Aaron: Double-column cards!Bento Fit: Next Time- Steve: Data structures for reordering and other internal stuff- Kotaro: Onboarding & Cell reordering / widgets- Aaron: Workout metrics

2025-05-2657 min

Side Project Spotlight #88: Bento Fit - Drop Shadows Everywhere!This week, Steve performs some more updates of the code base using Aider, while some skeuomorphic UI updates from Kotaro have us excited, and Aaron is a little tired after gathering real-world data by running a marathon at an impressive pace.## Show NotesIntroductionsBento Fit: The Story So FarBento Fit: Refactoring the data model with Aider Tangent: Xcode + ClaudeBento Fit: Skeuomorphic UI updateNext Steps- Two column bento cards - Persistence...

2025-05-1252 min

Side Project Spotlight #87: Bento Fit - WTF is HealthDataPoint?The Trio is back together with Bento Fit updates and more fun with "AI!" First up, Aaron is back from his trip to Jamaica and explains how you bring a bike on an airplane. Meanwhile, Kotaro has been sketching up a storm with some cool UI designs that you can't see because this is audio! Then, Steve continues down the path towards madness as he tries yet another "AI" tool combo this week with Aider/OpenRouter/Google Gemini 2.5 Flash. The live coding on the pod goes about as well as previous attempts.## Show Notes

2025-04-2853 min

Side Project Spotlight #86: Bento Fit - Never Go Full VibeAaron is enjoying a much deserved vacation, but Kotaro and Steve are still here with Bento Fit updates and Kotaro's experience "vibe coding" with Cursor.## Show Notes- Bento Fit Update - Kotaro UI updates - We may be doing HealthKit wrong- Next - UI flow - HealthKit performance- Kotaro’s Vibe Coding Experience- Wrap-Up - http://phillycocoa.org- Side Project Shout Out - https://ge...

2025-04-1448 min

Side Project Spotlight #85: Bento Fit - Vibe Coding Our Way to an MVPIn this extra long episode, we review progress made in domain modeling, Swift Charts, and a Tron-esque UI! Plus, Steve discusses his experiences using the ChatGPT macOS app and Cursor with Xcode before we try to do some "vibe coding" ourselves to add a small UI feature. There are a lot of quotable moments in this episode. It's a fun one!## Show Notes- BentoFit: The Road So Far… - Kotaro: UI Updates including Dark Mode! - Aaron: Swift Chart! - Steve: More me...

2025-03-311h 11

Side Project Spotlight #84: Bento Fit - Rolling with the PunchesSometimes life gets in the way of a side project. That's what happened to us this sprint and so progress on Bento Fit has been extra slow. But, this is a good opportunity to discuss strategies for getting back on track when life throws you a detour on your developer journey.## Show Notes- Bento Fit Update - Steve is working on HealthKit metrics and domain modeling, but progress is slow.- Rolling with the Punches - Kotaro has been busy with work.

2025-03-1748 min

Side Project Spotlight #83: Bento Fit - Full Dieter RamsWe continue to make slow progress developing our HealthKit dashboard app, codenamed "Bento Fit." In this episode, our update includes more HealthKit metrics discussion, Xcode Cloud configurations, a discussion on Git workflows, implementing basic logging, using Grok to write bad HealthKit code, and Kotaro's "Full Dieter Rams" UI designs. Plus, it looks like we need a persistence strategy, maybe SwiftData, maybe something else?## Show Notes- Bento Fit Update - How to manage your time on a side project - Metrics discussion from Side Project...

2025-03-0353 min

Side Project Spotlight #82: Bento Fit - Initial CommitWe have made progress on our new fitness app, currently codenamed, "Bento Fit." This week we provide an update about the UI, using local Swift Packages for modularization of the codebase, creating custom HealthKit metrics, thoughts on data persistence and syncing, and next steps. Plus, tangents about running local LLMs, the fortunes of COBOL programmers, and some really bad monetization ideas. If you want to get into the headspace of some developers working on a side project, this was basically our project meeting recorded, so enjoy, tangents and all!## Show Notes

2025-02-171h 04

Side Project Spotlight #81: Sleep, Walk, RunThe Trio begin a new fitness app project to surface HealthKit data. Learn about some of the discarded app ideas, then listen in on a live project kickoff planning session along with some asides about learning to be consistent, the challenges of HealthKit, what a "bento box" UI means, and more! ## Chapters 00:00 Intro Music 00:08 Introductions 01:34 Fitness App Ideas 08:41 "Sleep, Walk, Run" HealthKit Dashboard Idea 11:26 Designing the User Interface and Widgets 14:12 Features Discussion & Challenges 23:43 Surfacing HealthKit Data in...

2025-02-0347 min

Side Project Spotlight #80: 2025 PrognosticationsThe Trio is back after an extended winter break to prognosticate about the future of Apple development going into 2025. We discuss our hopes and dreams for the future of Apple Intelligence, Vision OS, and local LLM models on Apple Silicon. We also return to the topic of the “Universal UI” before discussing some personal projects, learning backend development, and the idea of creating a dumb, but simple, fitness app of some sort. ## Chapters 00:00 Introductions 01:15 Apple Development & Apple Intelligence in 2025 09:37 Exploring Voice Command Workflows and User Expe...

2025-01-2048 min

Side Project Spotlight #79: 2024 Season FinaleThe Trio is going on Winter Break, but before we do, one final pod to end the year! In this season finale episode, we look back on some of the hardware, software, and developer trends of 2024 before looking forward to the possibilities to come in the new year. Have a happy holiday season! The Trio will return in 2025. ## Topics Discussed - Favorite Apple Stuff of the Year - iPhone 16 Pro Max (Kotaro) - iPad mini refresh (Steve) - Vision Pro (Aaron) ...

2024-11-1856 min

Side Project Spotlight #78: Design Systems For IndiesIn this penultimate episode of 2024, the Trio return to the topic of Design Systems from episode 72 with a discussion about how indie developers can apply the concept to their apps along with specific tips and techniques for implementation using the built-in tools available in SwiftUI and Xcode. Plus, our first thoughts on 2/3 of the M4 announcements this week. ## Topics Discussed - Apple Announcements - iMac M4 - Mac mini M4/M4 Pro - Design Systems for Indies - Previous episode: https...

2024-11-0437 min

Side Project Spotlight #77: App Monetization StrategiesThe Trio are inspired by a PhillyCocoa Slack discussion to venture back into the world of modern app monetization strategies. What options does a budding indie developer have for making money on the App Store? Along the way, we highlight many great examples of apps employing a variety of strategies and innovative monetization techniques. ## Topics Discussed - App Monetization Strategies - Paid Upfront - Procreate Apps - https://procreate.com/procreate - Things 3 - https://culturedcode.com/things - Games (sometimes)

2024-10-211h 03

Side Project Spotlight #76: Indie VibesThe trio have been feeling a vibe shift in the developer community lately. Are we on the cusp of a new "Indie" renaissance? ## Chapters 00:00 Introductions 03:00 Follow-up: Are We Buying iPhone 16 Pro Max? 13:30 Follow-up: Kotaro Learning Godot 25:36 Indie Vibes 26:41 Indie Development Strategies and Niche Markets 30:40 Indie Apps and Content Creation 35:38 Pay Once Model Coming Back? 38:02 Monetization Strategies for Indies 47:51 Platform Choices / Native vs Cross-platform 01:02:13 Final Words 01:05:00 Wrap-Up & Not a Sponsor...

2024-10-071h 11

Side Project Spotlight #75: visionOS EpiphaniesThe trio discuss the release of iOS 18 and the new iPhone 16 camera button and get inspired by the latest Slopes app design update. Kotaro shares some art and sound updates to his game jam project before exploring some "epiphanies" he has experienced relating to visionOS app design. ## Chapters 00:00 Introductions 00:54 iPhone 16 / iOS 18 Released 04:09 Camera Features and Photography on iPhone 16 07:32 iPhone 17 Rumors 09:13 Exploring the New Camera Control Button 12:47 iOS 18 Features and Apple Intelligence 15:44 Slopes Update 18:56 Kotaro's Game Jam Update

2024-09-2356 min

Side Project Spotlight #74: Side Project FlopOn this evergreen episode, the trio begins by discussing the upcoming (at the time of recording) iPhone 16 event before Kotaro tells the tale of his failed Game Jam experience. Lessons are learned and hilarious generated voices are demoed. Sometimes you bite off more than you can chew with a side project, but that doesn't mean it wasn't worth the attempt. ## Topics Discussed: - Introductions - News - Sept 9th iPhone 16 Event - Kotaro’s Failed Game Jam - Godot Game Engine - ht...

2024-09-0957 min

Side Project Spotlight #73: Spicy Hot Game JamThis week Kotaro announces his triumphant return to the Game Jam scene with a brilliant idea that will surely make him a "Fortune." Then the Trio dives deep into the issues and controversies around generative "AI" and Procreate's stance against such technology in their products. Plus, Steve drops an epic rant about Facebook's "AI" integration as contrasted with the great integration done in the Foodnoms app. We think this episode has some of our best discussions to date so you won't want to miss it! ## Topics Discussed: - Kotaro Returns to Game...

2024-08-261h 23

Side Project Spotlight #72: What is a Design System?This week Kotaro pods solo to introduce the concept of design systems, especially as they apply to mobile development. This is a topic we will revisit once the Trio can gather together once more and this episode will act as the foundation for those future discussions. ## Topics Discussed: - Introductions - What is a “design system” - Figma's definition - https://www.figma.com/blog/design-systems-101-what-is-a-design-system/ - Definition: - Tokens - Color (light/dark) - Corner radius - Dimensions - Fonts name/sizing/weight - Animation - Assets - What are they useful for - Consistency thru-out the product(s) ...

2024-08-1223 min

Side Project Spotlight #71: Job Market Vibe CheckThe trio discuss the state of the tech job market, especially for Apple platform developers. We touch on all manner of topics from how hiring practices are broken, to practical tips for new grads, to the utility of side projects, future hot platforms, and of course the "AI" question. There is a lot of good stuff in this episode. Enjoy! ## Topics Discussed: - Introductions - Job Market Vibe Check - Junior Developers - Hiring Practices Are Broken - Developer Demand Will Increase ...

2024-07-291h 08

Side Project Spotlight #70: Dipping Our Toes in Predictive Code CompletionThe trio is back from celebrating America to talk about Apple's horribly named "predictive code completion" in Xcode 16. Kotaro tries to use it with some interesting results and we compare Apple's current implementation with other similar products like Microsoft's Intellicode and contrast it with something like Copilot or Apple's forthcoming Swift Assist product. We also engage in an interesting discussion about when you should or should not use these code generation tools. ## Topics Discussed: - Introductions - Kotaro installs macOS 15 beta - Kotaro tries “predictive code completion” in Xcod...

2024-07-1551 min

Side Project Spotlight #69: WWDC24 - Vibes & VideosThe trio concludes our WWDC24 trilogy by discussing the vibes and themes we saw at this year's conference before ending with our picks for our favorite videos from the week. Links in the show notes! ## Topics Discussed: - Introductions - WWDC Vibes - Swift / SwiftUI All the Things - V isionOS is Not Dead - Designers are No Longer in Charge? - SF Symbols 6 Talk - “Spatial Computing” is the Future - Quicklooks Talk - Shaders

2024-07-011h 14

Side Project Spotlight #68: WWDC24 - "AI for the Rest of Us"The trio convenes the night after the Keynote to discuss some of the highlights from this year's WWDC including "Apple Intelligence," UI animations, SwiftData improvements, Swift Testing, iPhone mirroring, and more! ## Topics Discussed: - Introductions - Apple Intelligence - Widgets Everywhere - Zoom Transitions & Other Updates - SwiftData - SwiftUI Views @MainActor - Xcode Tabs Now Make Sense! - SwiftUI Previews - Swift Testing - iPhone miring on macOS - Finally… ...

2024-06-121h 00

Side Project Spotlight #67: WWDC24 PreviewThe trio discuss WWDC24 rumors and wishlists in advance of what feels like the biggest Apple conference in years. Stay until the end to hear our WWDC Bingo Card items and our guesses for how many times the acronym "AI" will be spoken during the keynote with Aaron making the most intriguing guess. ## Topics Discussed: - Introductions - Developer Conference Season - Year of “AI” - Microsoft Recall Feature - Copilot button - Apple has already been using “AI”! - CoreML

2024-06-031h 00

Side Project Spotlight #66: M4 iPad ProsThe trio discuss the new M4 iPad Pros, both the updates and the use cases. Who are these devices for and do the new models really represent the biggest update in the iPad lineup in years? Plus, Kotaro teases a new game to be built with Godot. ## Topics Discussed: - Introductions - New iPad Pros - What are iPads useful for? - Pencil Pro updates - What Nobody Else Told You About Tandem OLED and M4! (Snazzy Labs) - https://youtu.be/3...

2024-05-201h 05

Side Project Spotlight #65: The Last Word with Joe CieplinskiJoe Cieplinski returns to the pod to talk about his latest app, The Last Word, a journal app for tracking your personal cocktail journey. Built using the latest iOS 17 technologies from SwiftUI to SwiftData with a cross-platform design that includes visionOS, our discussion touches on many topics that will be of interest if you are starting your own greenfield side project app. ## Topics Discussed: - Introductions / Welcome Joe Cieplinski - The Last Word in Cocktails app - https://havethelastword.app/ - iOS 17, SwiftUI, SwiftData, VisionOS

2024-05-061h 15

Side Project Spotlight #64: Real World SwiftDataThis episode is all about SwiftData. Steve has started using it a lot lately and talks about his experience so far trying to sync a bunch of API data into a SwiftData model as well as using a Swift Actor to control write access to the data container in a thread-safe manner. There are some really useful links in the show notes this week. You'll want to bookmark them all! ## Topics Discussed: - Introductions - Steve’s Real World SwiftData Experience…so far - Maintaining a local copy of server data - https://developer.apple.com/documentation/swiftdata/maintaining-a-local-copy-of-server-data - Prac...

2024-04-2249 min

Side Project Spotlight #63: Living 9 to 5Jumping off from one of our topics last episode, this week we are tackling the idea of working a 9 to 5 with a side project. What are the challenges? How do you maintain motivation? What time management strategies work? Are there any tools that can help you stay organized? Steve has some concrete tips based on his recent experience trying to juggle side projects and a day job while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Kotaro and Aaron provide the perspective of developers working a traditional in-office, corporate job and the challenges that creates for side project success. Along the way, we...

2024-04-081h 11

Side Project Spotlight #62: Indie OpportunitiesKotaro has been doing the 9 to 5 thing for a while now and he's been thinking about his days as a consultant and what it means in 2024 to "go indie." The trio discuss some of the options they see in the present day including consulting or SaaS, making educational content, traditional app or game development, whether the Vision Pro gold rush might be the most attractive option and more. Plus, Aaron finally tries a Vision Pro and Kotaro waxes nostalgic for his former indie app, "Dividend Calc." This is a great episode for anyone looking to "go indie" in 2024.

2024-03-251h 03

Side Project Spotlight #61: Apps We LoveOn the day the huge iOS 17.4 update drops, the Trio come together to talk about apps we love from budgeting software to productivity to 3D design and even fitness. The Apple ecosystem is full of amazing apps. Sometimes it's good to take a break, smell the roses, and gain some inspiration. ## Topics Discussed: - Introductions - Breaking News - iOS 17.4 - Xcode 15.3 - Other platforms are still in RC - https://developer.apple.com/documentation/financekit - Jon Prosser’s Vi...

2024-03-111h 02

Side Project Spotlight #60: Super Flutty NewbThis week the Trio follow-up on some visionOS ideas before delving into Kotaro's experience learning Flutter with an assist from Github Copilot. We round out the show discussing some rumors of new "AI" tools coming at the next WWDC. Not a Sponsor: https://azamsharp.school/workshops ## Topics Discussed: - Follow-up: Exploring visionOS Ideas - Kotaro’s Github Copilot experience - app.quicktype.io - Learning Flutter with Github Copilot - https://docs.flutter.dev/data-and-backend/state-mgmt/options ...

2024-02-261h 01

Side Project Spotlight #59: A Brave New WorldWe have experienced the Apple Vision Pro for ourselves, well Kotaro and Steve have, and we have thoughts! Tune in to hear about Steve's Apple Store demo experience, what was impressive and what was surprisingly not. Then a digression about the dystopian nightmare this Brave New "Spatial Computing" world may be about to unleash upon us and our children before a discussion about trying to build software now that hardware is available. Finally, will we actually be buying our own Vision Pros to become true Vision Bros? You'll have to listen until the end to find out!

2024-02-121h 16

Side Project Spotlight #58: Vision Pro Launch PartyThe long awaited launch of Vision Pro is here and the Trio are in a festive mood. In this episode, we have a fun time reviewing some of the hands-on impressions and speculate about the kinds of apps we will see in this first generation of "spatial computing." Most launch apps will probably be iPad apps and there have been some salty takes on the InterWebs about streaming platforms not supporting the device on day one, but we think they probably have some good reasons to be cautious. Kotaro brings up the immersion possibilities of haptics and Spatial Audio...

2024-01-291h 06

Side Project Spotlight #57: 2024 Developer ResolutionsThe trio has returned from their holiday break to talk about 2024 developer resolutions! Aaron wants to build an "AI" model and interact with hardware. Steve is looking at backend stuff for a change of pace. Kotaro is talking himself into building a visionOS game. There is also some good discussion of some "AI" application ideas and tools we've been using. With the Vision Pro on the immediate horizon, we also discuss how much we should invest in the platform if we aren't buying one of the launch devices. It's a nice easy introduction to 2024 with lots more to come...

2024-01-151h 08

Side Project Spotlight #56: Diving Into DependenciesIn this final episode of 2023, the trio dive into the topic of dependencies! What kinds are there? How do you manage them? What are some examples? This episode is jam packed with great advice and a ton of useful links (see below!) to help you think about the tradeoffs of different kinds of dependencies as well as concrete advice on how to write cleaner code that your future self will appreciate. Have a great holiday season and a happy new year as you embark on your own developer journey into 2024! The trio will return in January!

2023-12-041h 05

Side Project Spotlight #55: The "Universal" UIThe trio convene for the penultimate episode of 2023 to discuss the latest presentations by OpenAI and Github and the way generative "AI" tools may be enabling the dream of a "universal" UI for computing (for both end-users and developers) that is more natural and contextual than ever before. Stay until the very end for a short after show on the strange, but super useful, ContentUnavailableView. As always, check the show notes for all the links! ## Topics Discussed: - Introductions - Exploring Side Project Directions - visionOS uncertainty without...

2023-11-201h 01

Side Project Spotlight #54: Scary Fast OpportunitiesThe trio are riding a sugar high from Halloween and ready to discuss Apple's "Scary Fast" event. Online controversy erupted over the "Shot on iPhone" tag at the end. The incorporation of an iPhone into a legitimate "professional" workflow and the resulting hoopla got us thinking about what other opportunities are afforded developers and creatives on Apple platforms in this new Apple Silicon/USB-C/Soon to be VisionOS era! From filmmaking to game development to "AI" model training and more, we look at some of the things you can do now that you couldn't do, or do nearly as well...

2023-11-0648 min

Side Project Spotlight #53: Kotaro's Vanilla ProomptingThis week the Trio revisit the topic of "AI" by discussing some of the tools and workflows they have tried out lately. There is some follow-up to last episode's topic of The Composable Architecture, including Steve talking about a side project idea that he may use TCA to implement. Plus, talk of the job market, concurrency in Swift, and Meta Glassholes! It's a long episode, but we think it's pretty interesting. Enjoy! ## Topics Discussed: - Introductions - Follow-up - The Composable Architecture - https://github.com...

2023-10-231h 21

Side Project Spotlight #52: The Composable Architecture, Poorly ExplainedThe trio are together once more! This week, Steve and Kotaro discuss Steve's most recent HTTP API Client design, some of which was inspired by Rob Napier's "Generic Swift" talk from several years ago. Then, Steve almost loses his voice trying to poorly explain The Composable Architecture (TCA), but does go into some depth on the pieces and ideas he has applied to real world projects. It's mostly Steve talking this week, but it's pretty interesting stuff. Be sure to check the show notes for links so you can dive deep into these topics yourself!

2023-10-0959 min

Side Project Spotlight #51: Secret SauceKotaro hosts solo one more time this week to briefly talk about "secret sauces." No, not the kind you use on nuggets! It's that ineffable quality of an app that makes you love it vs those annoying anti-patterns often prevalent in apps created just to catch the wave of a hype cycle. Kotaro wants to make apps he loves and that you might love, too! This is a short, but practical and personal essay celebrating some apps that found their "secret sauce." ## Topics Discussed: - Introductions - iOS 17 is out

2023-09-2513 min

Side Project Spotlight #50: Reading the Tea Leaves 2: Electric BoogalooKotaro is solo this episode due to scheduling issues around the end of summer holiday festivities. But, fear not, this episode is short, but jam packed with advice about opportunities for your next big app as we move into the iOS 17/visionOS world. Widgets, AI, visionOS, Macros, and more! There are so many cool new features in this next generation of updates that can lead to brand new opportunities for success in your developer journey...if you read the tea leaves. ## Topics Discussed: - Introductions - Episode 50 ...

2023-09-1116 min

Side Project Spotlight #49: An Avalanche of AdsThe trio gather to hear about Steve's Baltimore e-scooter adventure and the app experience. Then, a brief discussion of Xcode Beta 7 before diving into inspiring visionOS demos found on social media. Multiple bad app ideas are entertained this week, including one based on a classic Kids in the Hall sketch. Kotaro goes into some detail on how hand gesture recognition works today and how it might work in the future while Aaron describes our dystopian nightmare future of inescapable avalanches of ads in immersive environments. Ending on a positive note, the Trio wonder if "spatial computing" could usher in...

2023-08-281h 00

Side Project Spotlight #48: Hot Shader ActionThe trio continue exploring visionOS despite ongoing beta challenges. Steve updates his experiment with a little more functionality while Kotaro scans a "mutant peach" into a 3D object, and Aaron is stymied in his physics experiments due to inadequate Simulator support. Kotaro provides some insights into what game developers may find familiar and frustrating if they decide to venture into visionOS development before discussing some "hot shader action" coming to SwiftUI in iOS 17. Finally, Bad App Ideas returns, revisiting "Portal Pigeons," and we give a shout-out in our "Not a Sponsor" segment to Happy Scale!

2023-08-141h 00

Side Project Spotlight #47: Long Stare & Pixelate the WorldThe trio continue to suffer the Beta Blues, but Steve did do his pod homework this round and made a very janky visionOS prototype that lets you apply a pixelation filter to a photo! This leads into some good discussion of photo app features that would be appropriate on visionOS interspersed with some "bad app ideas," a digression about Share Play, and Kotaro & Aaron decide they want to build Cerebro! It's an easy-breezy episode, perfect for these hot summer days. ## Topics Discussed: - visionOS Progress - Steve: Success with loading...

2023-07-3158 min

Side Project Spotlight #46: visionOS Baby StepsThe trio are trying to run the visionOS sample apps, but broken Xcode betas are getting in the way! Undeterred, Kotaro leads a discussion on what you can learn via the four visionOS demo apps (if you get them running). Then, the trio speculates about the forthcoming dev kits, Steve brings up the movie Hackers (because it's awesome!), and we end the show with some truly "bad app ideas." We are taking baby steps into our spacial computing developer journeys! ## Topics Discussed: - Beta cycle breakage! - The Four Apps...

2023-07-171h 02

Side Project Spotlight #45: The Most Complicated Fax Machine EverThe trio have had some initial hands-on time with the visionOS SDK and are ready to dive into a new development adventure. That's right, it's time to pivot! We think visionOS is a rare opportunity that should not be missed by Apple developers. Maybe it's a big nothing burger, maybe it'll be a new App Store gold rush, maybe somewhere in between, but the time to start exploring this new platform is now! In this episode, we talk about what we have already learned from the visionOS SDK before discussing some very rough prototyping ideas we want to use...

2023-07-031h 03

Side Project Spotlight #44: WWDC23 With Mohammad AzamThe trio are joined by developer and educator, Mohammad Azam to discuss some of the big announcements from WWDC23. Topics include Swift Macros, SwiftData, app architecture patterns, server-side swift, and more! There are ton of great links in the show notes this episode, so be sure to check them out! When you are done, follow some of the links to Azam's courses and content. We have found his work to be very helpful in our own developer journeys and maybe you will, too! ## Topics Discussed: - Welcome Azam! - Azam’s...

2023-06-191h 12

Side Project Spotlight #43: WWDC23 SpeculationTwas the pod before WWDC and the trio decided to enjoy themselves with a little speculation about what gifts Apple will bestow on June 5, 2023. Most of the discussion centers on speculation about the "mythical goggles" rumored to be released along with a brief tangent on widgets, some thoughts on whether Apple will even utter the acronym, "AI," during the conference, and we end with a nerdy grab bag wishlist of features we hope to see added to Apple's platforms this year. Don't miss the Not a Sponsor segment this week as Steve demonstrates that the Clip Dish devs' prompt...

2023-06-021h 14

Side Project Spotlight #42: Championing the iPad With Joe CieplinskiThis week, the trio is joined by our good friend and Philly CocoaHeads alum, Joe Cieplinski. Joe is an accomplished designer who transitioned into iOS development and has built multiple apps for iPhone and iPad. With the recent announcement of Final Cut and Logic on iPad, it feels like a new era of pro iPad apps may be on the horizon and there is no one better to talk to about iPad apps than Joe. In this wide-ranging discussion, we touch on Joe's journey from teacher to designer to developer of awesome iOS apps, his former podcast and sometimes...

2023-05-221h 21

Side Project Spotlight #41: Package Oriented ProgrammingThis week, the trio celebrates their podcast mid-life crisis by discussing a concept coined by Daniel Steinberg in a 2022 talk, "Packaged Oriented Programming." How do you organize your app using Swift Package Manager packages? What are the benefits and costs? There is also some discussion on dealing with JSON API changes, using Codable vs DTOs, and strategies for caching external package dependencies for the longterm. Be sure to stay until the end where Kotaro engages in some live "prompt engineering" with Chat GPT that generates some impressively bad jokes. ## Topics Discussed ...

2023-05-081h 00

Side Project Spotlight #40: "Going Indie"This week, Steve engages in a little "proompt engineering" with Bing, we bring back our Not a Sponsor segment to share how impressed we are with Clip Dish, and then we discuss the topic that all Apple dev podcasts must tackle at least once, "going indie." We focus on some of the logistics like whether you should use a company App Store account, how important it is to get an accountant, and ideas on revenue models, the special challenges of being an indie game dev, and end with some advice on getting started consulting. This is a perennial topic...

2023-04-241h 03

Side Project Spotlight #39: The Spirit of SkeuomorphismThe trio is back from The State of the Mobile Union event where fun was had by all and minds were expanded about the possibilities of mobile development! Plus, the Comcast Technology Center is cool! We continue to slowly build PickleJarTodo with Kotaro putting into practice the ideas he espoused at his talk for our UI. In our newly restored Not a Sponsor segment, we check-in with the current state of Arpit's GroceryTimer app, which might just be what Steve needs to avoid rotten strawberries. Plus, the trio discuss some thoughts on the much rumored Apple AR/VR Goggles, what...

2023-04-101h 22

Side Project Spotlight #38: AI Part DuexThis week, the trio wonder about the nature of a “sprint” and Steve takes his first tentative steps into whatever circle of Hell is reserved for Jira. The three amigos then revisit the topic of “AI” tools since this space is moving at warp speed. Kotaro and Steve talk about their experiences with ChatGPT and Bing before discussing some of the machine learning tools already available from Apple. Kotaro talks about diffusion model image workflows and the concerns of visual artists. Then Aaron tells us to wrap things up after some final discussion about generative art and how to adapt to...

2023-03-271h 13

Side Project Spotlight #37: How to LearnThis week, Steve makes progress building a log screen, but not without encountering obstacles. Then the trio dives into a discussion about how we learn. What works for us, what doesn't, what are good resources? It's a content-rich episode full of tips, some possibly questionable anecdotes, a dash of philosophy, and so, so many links. It's a little haphazardly presented, but that's just our charm! Topics Discussed: - PickleJarTodo Update - https://getslopes.com - How to Learn - Books vs Articles - https://bignerdranch.com

2023-03-131h 10

Side Project Spotlight #36: 1,000 Tablespoons of SaltOn this exciting episode, incremental progress has been made with PickleJarTodo! I know, you're in awe at our productivity. But, the bulk of the episode is a semi-literate discussion about the latest crop of "AI" tools and their potential impact on our discipline of software development. From the current crop of tools like ChatGPT and CoPilot to potential uses in designer/developer collaboration and even full app generation, this discussion is preliminary, but interesting, and we will surely revisit the topic in the future as we gain knowledge and experience in the space. Topics...

2023-02-271h 10

Side Project Spotlight #35: A Hot Mess of JankSteve's voice is back...like 95%! Tune in this week for an update about PickleJarTodo where, as usual, we quickly go off the rails into a classic Kotaro rant about JIRA! We also have some discussion about the perennial SwiftUI issue, integrating Core Data. Plus, some pros and cons we have found trying to use GitHub Projects and we end by setting some semi-realistic goals for next time! Topics Discussed: - PickleJarTodo Update - Side Projects Can Help Day Job Projects - GitHub Projects Tickets - Kotaro Rants About JIRA...

2023-02-1341 min

Side Project Spotlight #34: New Year, New PlanSteve lives! The trio is back this week and while Steve still sounds like a frog has taken up residence in his throat, the show must go on! In this episode, we discuss the plan for the next few months, make some goals, assign some tasks, and go off on tangents about Apple backends, Disney World weirdness, and the awesomeness of the Ren Faire. New year, new plan! Let's gooooooo! ## Topics Discussed: - Steve lives! - Plan to finish PickleJar MVP - Why the PickleJar name? - Time m...

2023-01-3046 min

Side Project Spotlight #33: A New YearSteve is still recovering from some bad laryngitis and we should be back to our regular schedule next podcast. In the meantime, Kotaro provides some quick updates about the pod, the app, and his personal goals for the new year. Stay to the end to hear examples of what our future robot overlords consider developer "jokes." Welcome to 2023! We hope you build some cool stuff this year. ## Topics Discussed: - Podcast update - PickleJar update - Personal developer goals for the new year - Better understand how...

2023-01-1611 min

Side Project Spotlight #32: A Developer's Journey to Embracing SwiftUIIt's the final episode of 2022! This week, Steve is solo as he puts on his best "podcast voice" to talk about his personal journey to embracing SwiftUI over the last year. See you in 2023! ## Topics Discussed: - Steve's journey to embracing SwiftUI - WWDC22 turning point - Integrating SwiftUI and UIKit - Living the SwiftUI Preview lifestyle - Greenfield app prototyping with SwiftUI - Better cross-platform collaboration with SwiftUI - Feeling re-invigorated about Apple app development Intro music: "Wh...

2022-12-1927 min

Side Project Spotlight #31: A Developer's RetroThe trio is taking a break over the holidays and so this is the first of a few special, short, solo episodes we are releasing until we get back to our regular routine in the new year. This week, Kotaro provides his retrospectives on our journey so far with this podcast and Side Project Saturday, plus lays out some goals for PhillyCocoa projects in the new year. Happy Holidays from Philly CocoaHeads! ## Topics Discussed: - Podcast retrospective - PhillyCocoa Community retrospective - SPS goals for 2023

2022-12-0507 min

Side Project Spotlight #30: PrototypingThis week, the trio finally remembers we passed our 1-year Podiversity before very skillfully transitioning into an in depth conversation on the topic of prototyping! What is it? How does it work? What are the tools and techniques? How is it practiced at a BigCo vs an Indie shop? The conversation is varied and interesting. Please note, this will be the last "regular" episode of 2022, but more content shall flow into your feed in the form of some special, shorter, episodes, so stay subscribed! Topics Discussed: - 1 year anniversary…back in October!...

2022-11-2149 min

Side Project Spotlight #29: What Is an App?Aaron's out this week, so the inmates are running the asylum! Steve is embarking on some greenfield app work at the day job and asks, "What is a modern app?" Since Kotaro has a lot of recent experience with all the newest Apple frameworks and features, an interesting discussion ensues about both how you can expand beyond the in-app experience and why you should or should not. Plus, the entire pod goes off the rails for a while when Kotaro goes into significant detail about an infamous Side Project Saturday "bad app idea" for a next generation fart app...

2022-11-0749 min

Side Project Spotlight #28: A Bad Relationship With TestingThis week, we have actual PickleJarTodo updates! Plus, Kotaro gets up on his soapbox to rant about testing, but is coaxed down and a more nuanced discussion ensues. Plus, we have some thoughts on the recent Mohammad Azam article about SwiftUI architecture and the NSSpain presentation about rewriting SoundCloud in SwiftUI. Finally, Steve remembers some sage advice he read on the early Web in the 1990s...RTFM! Topics Discussed: - PickleJarTodo Update - Lots of UI Components! (Kotaro) - Basic Image Picker Support (Steve) - Testing Discussi...

2022-10-241h 01

Side Project Spotlight #27: Awkward TransitionsOn this week's episode, the trio is totally focused and not at all awkward in their transitions as Steve recounts his recent FogBugz drama and Kotaro discusses a recent foray into building a straight-up macOS app in SwiftUI! Steve wonders if the culture of building your own tools has changed in the mobile world and a brief update on the PickleJarTodo app leads into a plug for Mike Zornek's blog, which you should totally read! Topics Discussed: - Follow-up: FogBugz Drama - Kotaro’s Experimental SwiftUI Mac App Development ...

2022-10-1050 min

Side Project Spotlight #26: Gilligan's Dynamic IslandThe trio is back this week with some follow-up to Kotaro's solo episode and some spicy takes on The Verge's re-design. Steve tells the tale of how he was stymied by an obvious bug until Aaron fixed it and this leads into some discussion about the challenge in learning new mental models and the importance of having someone else read your code when you are stuck. Meanwhile, Kotaro promises he is working on the UI layouts and the big news since last episode was the new Dynamic Island feature in the iPhone 14 Pro models! We discuss in our infinite...

2022-09-2657 min

Side Project Spotlight #25: A Developer's JourneyDue to scheduling conflicts, this week is a special solo episode featuring Kotaro! People often ask us in PhillyCocoa how to become an iOS developer. Listen as Kotaro gives his recommendations on how to start your Apple Developer journey whether you are a complete novice or an experienced developer in another speciality. Also hear about Kotaro's own journey into iOS development back when Objective-C was still a thing! This episode features 100% less Steve and Aaron, but is full of useful advice and fun Kotaro anecdotes. Don't worry, the trio will be back in action next time!

2022-09-1217 min

Side Project Spotlight #24: Jira Is Trying to Kill You!This week the trio review the PickleJarTodo journey so far before discussing the trials and tribulations of macOS betas, bringing back tasteful skeuomorphism in our app, adding playfulness via animation, and why copy is important. Aaron describes his solution to our NavigationSplitView dilemma, Steve discusses some Core Data architecture patterns, and Old Man Kotaro Story Time and a project management tools discussion result in some entertaining hot takes and rants. ## Topics Discussed: - PickleJarTodo Update - The journey so far - The trials and tribulations of macOS betas ...

2022-08-291h 09

Side Project Spotlight #23: It's A Trap!In this episode, Kotaro has some more thoughts about respecting the platform and we get into an interesting discussion about the how, when, and why of using SwiftUI as a prototyping tool. Then, Kotaro reveals his UI epiphany for the iPhone version of PickleJar. Finally, Steve inadvertently creates a Not a Sponsor segment and the productivity app world is introduced to the idea of "Aaron Mode." ## Topics Discussed: - Follow-Up: Respecting the Platform - Using SwiftUI as a Prototyping Tool - Sketch Is an Exemplary “Mac” App ...

2022-08-151h 12

Side Project Spotlight #22: Respecting The PlatformThis week, the trio is back from our first IRL meetup in two years! We provide an update on PickleJar including CoreData refactoring, architecture patterns, new UI sketches, a possible Radar-worthy bug, and we ask the big question, has Apple decided that Hamburger Menus are cool again? In the second half of the episode, we discuss the latest native vs web technology debate sparked by a Paul Hudson tweet about Notion switching to native views in their iOS app. It's quite an interesting conversation full of Kotaro anecdotes! Who doesn't love them? That's a rhetorical question, they're awesome!

2022-08-0155 min

Side Project Spotlight #21: A-Hole ModeThis week, Kotaro's struggles with UI block leads into a discussion about the primary views that need to be updated, some priorities for the UX, and because this is a side project, we dream big about extra features before we've even gotten the core done, including A-Hole mode, the perfect way to motivate yourself when positive reinforcement fails. Considering our slow progress, maybe we should implement that feature first! In the end, Kotaro is back on track with his UI design tasks while Aaron and Steve continue architecting the Core Data + MVVM of it all. PRs were being pushed...

2022-07-1855 min

Side Project Spotlight #20: MVVM + Core DataProgress has been made on the app and as we move beyond simple prototyping into trying to make a functional MVP for other people to eventually use, how we structure our code becomes more important. This week, we discuss the MVVM architecture pattern and how well it does and doesn't get along with Core Data. Then, Kotaro leads us on a UI/UX design discussion, partially inspired by "the most satisfying checkbox." ## Topics Discussed: - PickleJar Update - Testing iCloud Sync - Multiple simulators signed into iCloud ...

2022-07-041h 02

Side Project Spotlight #19: WWDC22 – SwiftUI Is "The Way"WWDC22 has come and gone and boy was it full of developer goodies this year! This week, the trio first survey some of their favorite announcements from WWDC22 before diving into a discussion about how to pivot the todo app development in light of the upcoming OS changes. Be sure to check out this week's Not a Sponsor and Apple Design Award Winner: Slopes Topics Discussed: - WWDC22 - SwiftUI is The Way - App Intents - WeatherKit - Passkey - AR/Metal - CarPlay - Lock Screen Widgets - Xcode Live Previews - Swift Charts - Swift Regex - SwiftUI Navigation - Losing Platform Dist...

2022-06-2059 min

Side Project Spotlight #18: WWDC22 Speculation!Just in time for the weekend plane ride to Cupertino, it's our WWDC22 speculation episode! We talk about some of things we hope to see at this year's WWDC including new hardware, iOS 16 features, and dev tool improvements. Plus, Kotaro provides a bonus tip about how you can glimpse the future by subscribing to the Swift Evolution mailing list. If you'd like to join us at our virtual keynote watch party, RSVP and join our Slack! Details are on our website at http://phillycocoa.org or at https://www.meetup.com/PhillyCocoaHeads/. Be sure to check out...

2022-06-0357 min

Side Project Spotlight #17: Fingerpicking GoodThis week, we return to our Todo App project. Coding has stalled because we didn't have a specific enough idea of exactly WHAT the app is supposed to be all about. Problem definition is hard and this week Steve presents his thoughts on how to move forward based on his research into some existing digital and paper habit tracking systems. Then we sketch some specific app feature requirements where we coalesce around the idea of tracking something akin to "epics," provide positive reinforcement via widgets, and support Siri Intents for use in the Shortcuts app. Be sure...

2022-05-2348 min

Side Project Spotlight #16: TIL With Mohammad FaaniThe app is making slow progress and we will have more to say about that soon, but we couldn't pass up the opportunity to talk with our special guest this week, Mohammad Faani. Mohammad is an active member of PhillyCocoa and joins us to discuss his journey to becoming an iOS developer as well as how both Stack Overflow and his new TIL blog help him focus and shape his own developer journey. Topics Discussed: - Introducing Mohammad Faani - Mohammad’s origin story - Mohammad’s background ...

2022-05-0954 min

Side Project Spotlight #15: Learning How to MacThis week we finally reveal our idea for our second app on this podcast and it's a macOS todo app! I know, very original! Listen in to our unscripted discussion as we talk about why we chose this concept for the app, some theories around todo systems, and eventually coalesce around some broad goals for features as well as a timeline for a Test Flight prototype. ## Topics Discussed: - Introducing our next side project: a macOS Todo app! - How do we do todos? - Steve: Omnifocus, Todo, Cale...

2022-04-2559 min

Side Project Spotlight #14: Side Project ChallengesAfter we recorded this week's podcast, we did decide on our next side project and it's not what you might expect. It has to do with pickles. Stay tuned for info about that next time! This week, we delve into the side project "failure" bin to talk about overcoming the many challenges to completing side projects and how even when we move on from one, it was still worth doing. ## Topics Discussed: - Pre-Show: - Stocks and studio displays - The Death of Kotaro’s Side Project Dividend Calc

2022-04-1142 min

Side Project Spotlight #13: An Infinite Closet with Sean NajeraWe have another special guest this week! Sean Najera, Senior Mobile Developer at Nuuly, joins the Pod to talk about his experiences using Flutter before discussing his new SwiftUI Navigator library that fixes a big missing feature in Apple's framework. There is also some love for C#, a look at the waves of Android development over the years, the evolution of languages like Dart and Swift, and new this week, a special post-show where Steve asks the question that only Aaron can answer, "What is a table?" This was a fun one. ## Topics Discussed:

2022-03-281h 06

Side Project Spotlight #12: GroceryTimer.app with Arpit MathurWith all of us getting busy with work, we are using this opportunity to experiment with the podcast format and bring a spotlight to other developers in the community. Our first guest to the POD is Arpit Mathur, creator of GroceryTimer.app. This app was our Not a Sponsor last time and since it was recently released, we thought it would be fun to discuss the how's and why's of its creation. Arpit is always a pleasure to converse with and we delve into several interesting aspects of the app's creation, design, and technologies as well as how Arpit...

2022-03-141h 01

Side Project Spotlight #11: Spinning our WheelsOk, we are really spinning our wheels now getting a new app idea pinned down, but the upshot is there are a lot of interesting subjects touched upon this week, including the "confirmation" of RealityOS, how people occlusion works in ARKit, a tangent about the history of Web API technologies, and much more. Plus, our Not a Sponsor this week could help you keep your food from spoiling! ## Topics Discussed: - RealityOS is Real! - How ARKit People Occlusion Works - What makes a good AR experience, according...

2022-02-2852 min

Side Project Spotlight #10: Orange BallsContinuing our incremental progress exploring the AR app space, this week, Aaron shows off our first baby steps with a working prototype! Steve discusses his month long side project making movies, which prompts a discussion of how AR could be used in filmmaking. Then, Kotaro and Steve go on a tangent exploring nightmare AR/VR dystopia possibilities before getting back on track with this week's "Not a Sponsor" segment. Finally, the trio settles on a handful of feature paths to explore for next time. ## Topics Discussed: - Steve’s Film School Experience...

2022-02-1449 min

Side Project Spotlight #9: Reading the Tea LeavesWe decided that we want to work on an AR app, but we still can't figure out what to build. The space is still very new, hardware from Apple doesn't exist yet, and life really got in our way last sprint, so we didn't get much prototype exploration done. This week, we continue our search for an AR app idea, perhaps come up with a germ of an idea by the end, and in the middle, Kotaro expounds on game jams and creative cheats from his own past. It's a diamond in the rough kind of episode, but sometimes...

2022-01-3151 min

Side Project Spotlight #8: Into the MetaverseAfter a brief retrospective about our last app, Kanji Love, and a shout out to the recently departed Release Notes podcast, the team starts a discussion about our next project, which looks like it'll be focused on Augmented Reality. First, we ask ourselves, what is the relationship between AR, VR, and the "Metaverse" concept? Then we read the tea leaves of Apple's APIs to make an educated guess about future hardware and types of applications that would be useful to build. Finally, we spend time talking about some specific app ideas and end the episode with some bonus talk...

2022-01-171h 08

Side Project Spotlight #7: Kanji LoveIt's release day! Kanji Love is in the App Store! In this season finale episode, we discuss the story behind the app's name as well as some of the final bug fixes and tasks we had to complete. Then, you can listen in to the moment we made the app live in the store! Finally, we discuss some ideas for next season. Don't worry, Side Project Spotlight WILL RETURN! - Download the app! - Check out the website! ## Topics Discussed: - Story behind the app name: Kanji Love

2022-01-0355 min

Side Project Spotlight #6: Feature CompleteWe are in the endgame now! Kotaro has refined the UI while Aaron has updated our Core Data stack and Steve got Notifications working! All the pieces are together and we basically have a feature complete 1.0 app! Now we are entering into the final stress test, debugging, and polishing stages. In this episode we discuss the promise and current limitations of Xcode Cloud, provide an overview of the App Store submission process and steps we need to complete, and worry out loud about whether Swift UI conditionals are a good idea or not. App Submission Day is rapidly approaching...

2021-12-2058 min

Side Project Spotlight #5: Feature CreepSprint 4 is over and we are entering the home stretch. Kotaro got the swipe mechanic working, Aaron got so much done, he started adding features, and Steve ran into issues trying to build a Notifications UI. The trio discuss Git branches and merging strategies and then spend the bulk of the episode diving into SwiftUI architecture in general and specifically regarding the app. Finally, in a segment that is the nightmare of project managers everywhere, new features are discussed! This is a long one, but with a lot of great technical discussion. Bonus! It's edited more gently than the...

2021-12-061h 20

Side Project Spotlight #4: Welcome to My Objective-C TED TalkSprint 3 is over and Kotaro has made progress on the UI with a complete app skeleton now linked together, but is still working on the core swipe animation. Meanwhile, Steve found notifications a little harder to setup in a SwiftUI environment than expected, but got the basic plumbing working when he wasn't editing the podcast. Aaron is the Sprint MVP as he updated the data managers so that Kanji can be retrieved from the database with ease and user stats saved on demand. All together, this means we are getting close to a working app! Plus, a discussion comparing O...

2021-11-2255 min

Side Project Spotlight #3: We Have Data!Sprint 2 is done and we have data! In this episode, we check-in on our goals for the sprint and discuss what got done, what didn't, and some interesting issues that came up along the way. Now that we have Kanji data in the Core Data database, we can shift focus to building the UI for the app and notifications for next time. ## Follow-up from last sprint: - Wireframes and prototype UI - Kanji database parsed into JSON - Core Data stack setup - Everyone get the app bu...

2021-11-0844 min

Side Project Spotlight #2: Data Structures & UI ConsiderationsOur first sprint encountered some hiccups and we are off to a slow start, but progress has been made! This week, we have some follow-up about changes to our initial App Store Connect environment, describe how we setup the podcast, and spend the majority of the meeting talking about data sources, structures, and UI. Topics include: - Switching to an App Store Connect Team account for development - Podcast infrastructure setup with Anchor.fm and Podcast Connect - Exploring Kanji databases using Python in Google Collab ...

2021-10-2552 min

Side Project Spotlight #1: Kanji Flash Card App KickoffFor our inaugural season, we (Kotaro, Steve, and Aaron) are building a watchOS Kanji flashcard app and documenting our journey. This week, we tackle the initial project infrastructure setup and talk next steps. Topics include: - Github project setup and .gitignore - App Store Connect Users - New up a Xcode Project from a template - What is this app all about? - Initial wireframes - Kanji database options - SwiftUI vs Storyboards - How to use Github Projects - Project...

2021-10-0952 min