From development and design to marketing and support, Under the Radar is all about independent app development. It's rarely longer than 30 minutes. Hosted by Marco Arment and David Smith.
Marco discusses the challenges of shipping a major Overcast update, particularly rebuilding the Apple Watch app and overcoming development friction. He compares the feedback he receives from software development versus his new restaurant business, which made returning to coding difficult. Ultimately, he found motivation by focusing on building the app for himself and discusses the importance of intrinsic motivation, building on past work, and maintaining momentum through continuous learning and tackling interesting problems.
Marco and David discuss the recent injunction against Apple regarding external payment methods, and its potential impact on iOS app developers. They explore the complex relationship between developers and Apple, and whether Apple views developers as valued customers or simply a resource to be extracted. The conversation covers the long-term implications of Apple's decisions and the need for a more mutually beneficial relationship.
Marco and David discuss optimizing app battery life. They explore the challenges of power consumption, covering CPU usage, radio activity, and unexpected drains like speaker usage. They emphasize real-world testing, the limitations of current tooling, and the nuances of adapting to low power mode, advocating for careful balancing of user experience and power efficiency.
Marco and David discuss the impact of AI coding tools on programmers, especially indie developers. They explore how AI can increase productivity but also potentially displace some jobs. The conversation covers the evolving role of programmers, the importance of product sense, and how AI tools can help developers develop their intuition and taste.
Marco and David discuss the importance of designing self-sufficient iOS apps that don't rely heavily on constant developer input. They share experiences from past projects like Tumblr, Instapaper, Feed Wrangler, Widgetsmith and Overcast, highlighting the challenges of managing essential roles and the benefits of strategic outsourcing. They emphasize planning for developer unavailability and discuss how spending money can free up time and improve sustainability.
Marco and David discuss the importance of cultivating optimism as Apple developers in the face of change and uncertainty, particularly regarding rumors of a major iOS redesign. They differentiate between pessimism/fear and a lack of passion, explore the burden of system-wide redesigns, and emphasize the need to focus on both potential positive and negative outcomes while avoiding unnecessary negativity. The conversation highlights the challenges and excitements of being an Apple developer and strategies for maintaining mental health and motivation.
Marco and David discuss their core values in software development, emphasizing user satisfaction and thoughtful design over pure metric optimization. They explore the trade-offs between business goals and creating enjoyable user experiences, advocating for a user-centric approach even if it means sacrificing potential revenue. They reflect on the personal satisfaction derived from solving challenging design problems and building software they are proud of.
Marco and David discuss the attributes needed for a long-term career in iOS development, particularly in the indie space. They delve into the importance of creativity, curiosity, resilience, reflectiveness, and restlessness. They share personal experiences and insights on staying motivated and adaptable in a constantly evolving field.
