Mac Power Users 677: Software Club: Fantastical
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Jan 29, 2023 Michael Simmons, Director and CEO of Flexibits and a creative mind in app development, shares insights on Fantastical's impressive evolution from a simple tool to a sophisticated calendar app. He discusses how user feedback shaped its features, emphasizing its natural language processing and unique functionalities. The conversation also touches on the transition to subscription services and the challenges of enhancing user experience. Simmons reflects on his journey from filmmaker to app innovator, enriching the discussion with his creative philosophy.
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From Film to Tech
- Michael Simmons's career began in film but transitioned to tech after a video game job.
- Working with ProSoft Engineering and Ambrosia Software led him to the Mac scene.
Founding Flexibits
- Simmons's experience with Ambrosia Software and Cultured Code shaped his approach to app development.
- This led to the partnership with Kent Sutherland and the birth of Flexibits.
Fantastical's Origin
- Fantastical was born from a desire to improve upon iCal's cumbersome interface.
- It started as a menu bar utility for natural language event creation, not a full calendar app.