In this discussion, Malin Sundberg, an app developer behind Mercury Weather and Orbit, shares her journey from the arts to tech. She dives into her hands-on experience with Apple Vision Pro, highlighting its innovative features and potential for productivity. Malin emphasizes the significance of an 80/20 approach in app development, streamlining processes for greater impact. Listeners will enjoy her insights on creating user-friendly apps with SwiftUI and the vibrant developer community she's involved with, including local meet-ups over coffee.
Creating user-friendly time tracking and invoicing app with SwiftUI and Apple frameworks
Developing visually appealing weather app with SwiftUI and prioritizing essential data
Importance of community involvement and participation in meetups for personal and professional growth
Deep dives
Building the Perfect Time Tracking and Invoicing App
Orbit is a time tracking and invoicing app developed by the speaker and their partner. The app was created out of the need for a native, user-friendly time tracking solution that could also handle invoicing. The speaker emphasized the importance of creating a product that met their own needs, as existing options on the market fell short. They utilized SwiftUI and other Apple frameworks to develop the app, taking advantage of the latest features and technologies. Orbit offers features like time tracking, invoicing, team collaboration, and data visualization. It aims to strike a balance between functionality and simplicity, providing users with a clear and intuitive interface.
Designing a Beautiful and Informative Weather App
Mercury Weather is a weather app developed by the speaker and their partner. The app takes inspiration from popular weather apps like Weatherline and focuses on providing users with a visually appealing and information-rich weather experience. Using SwiftUI and integrating Apple's latest frameworks, the app displays weather data through line and point charts, giving users a comprehensive overview of weather conditions over time. The speaker acknowledges the subjective nature of weather apps and aims to strike a balance between providing essential data and keeping the interface glanceable and clutter-free.
Contributing to the Developer Community
The speaker is actively involved in the developer community, engaging in various activities to connect with like-minded individuals and share knowledge. They organize a meetup called Core Coffee, which brings developers together in a casual coffee shop environment. The meetup serves as a platform for networking, discussions, and collaboration among local developers. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of community involvement and active participation in meetups and events. They recognize the value of these interactions and how they contribute to personal and professional growth within the development community.
Excitement and Motivation at Meetups and Conferences
Meetups and conferences provide a unique opportunity for developers to connect with like-minded individuals, share ideas, and get motivated by each other's work. These events foster an environment where developers can discuss frameworks, ideas, and their passion for creating apps that users love. The energy and excitement generated at these gatherings can be similar to the post-WWDC experience, where developers are inspired to start working on new projects. The meetups and conferences serve as a platform for developers to learn from each other, validate their work, and gain perspective on their journey.
Firsthand Experience with Apple Vision Pro at WWDC
The Apple Vision Pro, showcased at WWDC, offers a unique and immersive experience. The user is taken through a briefing and brought to a separate location on Apple's campus. There, they receive a personalized setup for the device, including a face scan to configure the Vision Pro and prescription scanning for glasses. The setup process is seamless, and the device fits comfortably on the user's head. The interactions with the headset are intuitive, and the graphics and spatial audio create realistic and engaging experiences. The overall impression is that the Vision Pro is not just a gaming device, but a spatial computing platform with vast potential for developers to create a range of apps and experiences.
Exciting Prospects for Developers on the Vision Pro
The Vision Pro offers a unique opportunity for developers to explore new ways of building apps and interactions. The availability of existing Apple frameworks like SwiftUI and RealityKit allows developers to leverage their knowledge and create apps specifically tailored for the Vision Pro. The device's focus on spatial computing opens up possibilities for creating immersive worlds and experiences, beyond just gaming. Developers can reimagine productivity apps, meditation experiences, and other interactive environments that fully utilize the capabilities of the Vision Pro. The enthusiastic response from developers indicates a forthcoming wave of innovative applications, contributing to a vibrant ecosystem of Vision Pro apps.
Malin Sundberg is one of the developers behind the apps Mercury Weather and Orbit. This week, she joins Stephen and David to discuss her background and work, as well as her hands-on time with the Apple Vision Pro at WWDC.
