Launched

Sebastian Röhl, indie app maker behind HabitKit and FocusKit, shares his journey from quitting a job to building in public. He discusses using a GitHub-style grid as a visual hook, freemium plus lifetime pricing, sudden App Store ranking wins, and switching between Flutter and native SwiftUI for different goals.

Sandeep Ranade, a Hindustani classical musician and tech innovator, discusses his journey from tech engineer to the creator of NaadSadhana, an award-winning AI-driven music app. He reveals how a frustrated student's struggle inspired him to invent a real-time vocal tuner that empowers musicians. Sandeep emphasizes the need for passion-driven projects, the importance of ethical AI, and his commitment to evolving the app like a living artwork. He also shares insights on organic growth through community engagement and the creative integration of technology with music.

Jordan Morgan, an indie app developer known for Elite Hoops and Alyx, joins to discuss the significance of seasonal business cycles in app revenue. He shares insights on optimizing ad strategies after a costly misstep and the shift towards crafting apps that reflect personal passion. Jordan emphasizes the value of organic growth, explaining how Elite Hoops flourished without hefty marketing budgets, and highlights the importance of reinvesting profits to fuel future success. A dynamic conversation exploring creativity and business savvy!

Taiwo Omisore, an indie iOS game developer known for his unique apps like One Chance and WordTiles, shares insights on pursuing creative game development. He talks about building games meant to be deleted and how leaning into low retention can yield success. Taiwo emphasizes the importance of building publicly for feedback and community engagement. He also discusses transitioning to a full-time indie career after being featured by Apple, showcasing his journey from art school to app creation, and inspiring youth through coding workshops.

Aja Beckett, founder of Shotsy, is an innovator who transitioned from animation to tech to create a mobile app for tracking GLP-1 medications. She discusses building authentically for her community, revealing how personal experience led to her app's development. Aja emphasizes the power of organic growth, leveraging platforms like Reddit for user engagement, and highlights the importance of data visualization in user motivation. Her lessons on App Store Optimization and community-driven feedback showcase a thoughtful approach to product discovery and growth in the healthcare space.

Ryan Jones, CEO and co-founder of Flighty, shares insights on building a flight-tracking app that thrives on product-driven growth. He highlights how the digital flight log, Passport, became a viral sensation thanks to its shareability. Ignoring traditional marketing, Flighty focuses on creating delightful features that users love. Ryan also discusses the importance of App Store Optimization over ads, and how the team stays true to their product vision, avoiding marketing distractions, to drive organic user acquisition.

Klemens Strasser joins the show to talk about his indie iOS game development career, winning an Apple Design Award, and how he built and launched his latest game The Art of Fauna. Video Version Watch the video version on YouTube Links & Show Notes Klemens on Bluesky Klemens on Mastodon Klemens on Twitter Klemens website The Art of Fauna Flexibits Ryan McLeod Vidit Bhargava Patterned Alba ARCtic Conference AppleVis Riveo Josh Mobley Music Leo Mehlig Jordi Bruin Hidde van der Ploeg Andy Allen Frederik Riedel More Launched Youtube Channel Website - launchedfm.com Bluesky - @launchedfm.com Mastodon - @Launched@mastodon.social Threads - @LaunchedFM Twitter - @LaunchedFM

Riley Testut, a talented app developer known for the iOS emulator Delta and the AltStore, shares his inspiring journey from Dallas to the world of app creation. He discusses the challenges of navigating Apple's strict app approval processes and the community-driven spirit behind AltStore’s creation. Riley also delves into the emotional ups and downs of solo development, emphasizing the need for collaboration and support among indie developers. His experiences highlight the importance of passion, innovation, and the quest for independence in tech.

In this festive chat, Jordan Morgan, an indie app developer and advocate at Superwall, shares his journey in tech and his side project, the Elite Hoops app for basketball coaching. He discusses transitioning from traditional engineering to developer advocacy while emphasizing work-life balance. From networking to creating apps that resonate with users, Jordan reveals the delicate dance between personal passion and market needs. He also reflects on crafting viable apps and the importance of strategic advertising for profitability. Get ready for insights and cheer!

Live in Chicago at Deep Dish Swift 2024, prolific Youtuber Sean Allen joins the show to talk about building his successful iOS development focused Youtube channel and his recent indie app Creator View. Video episode on Youtube Links & Show Notes Sean on Twitter Sean on Mastodon Sean on Youtube Sean's iOS Dev Courses Storyboards vs Code (first iOS video Charlie ever watched) PodcastAI @AetherAurelia Apple's Swift Student Challenge Deep Dish Swift More Launched Website - launchedfm.com Youtube - Launched Podcast Twitter - @LaunchedFM Mastodon - @Launched@mastodon.social Threads - @LaunchedFM Become a sponsor