Side Project Spotlight Podcast

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 Collaborative Prototyping With SwiftUI Mockup/Prototyping Tools https://sketch. [More Info]

This 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. [More Info]

This 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! [More Info]

Progress 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. [More Info]

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 Distinction? [More Info]

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! [More Info]

This 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. [More Info]

The 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. [More Info]

This 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! [More Info]

After 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. [More Info]