The Talk Show With John Gruber 433: ‘Meat Bags’, With Brian Mueller
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Oct 31, 2025 Brian Mueller, indie developer behind the snarky Carrot Weather app, chats about the journey of his beloved creation. He reveals how Carrot's humorous AI sets it apart from other weather apps, discussing unique features like personality settings and location privacy. Brian also shares insights on adapting to new Apple technologies, competing in the weather market, and the exciting blend of AI in generating content for Carrot’s musical. With a decade of growth, he reflects on his indie success and dedication to evolving the app.
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From Side Projects To Full-Time Hit
- Brian Mueller started with Carrot To Do in 2013 and kept making small apps until Carrot Weather dominated his time.
- The success forced him to focus full-time on Carrot Weather and abandon making many new apps.
Personality As Product Differentiator
- The Carrot suite used a snarky AI personality to stand out against fake-positive gamification.
- That contrarian voice became the brand's defining differentiator across apps.
Let Users Tailor Tone
- Offer users settings to control personality intensity so the app fits broader tastes.
- Provide a professional mode for users who want no character-driven content.