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360iDev – Speaker Hendrik Kueck

October 12, 2010 By 1 Comment

We’re really excited to have Hendrik presenting on “Effectively using videos to explain and market your app” on Wednesday. Having seen some truly sad demo videos of apps, this session is a must! Especially if you’re doing your own marketing!

Q: How long have you been doing iOS development?

A: I started iOS development in July 2008, initially as a fun side project, procrastinating from my computer science PhD. These days I am a full time indie iOS developer. I released my first app Juxtaposer (iTunes Link) in October 2008.

Very cool!

Q: What do you like most about being an iOS Developer?

A: I love the complete freedom of choosing what to work on and when and how to work on it. And being able to comfortably support myself doing it. Apple created this amazing marketplace for us which eliminates most of the major barriers and pain points of software distribution.

It’s definitely cool to see so many developers able to make a living doing what they love. The software industry needs more indie developers that can survive on their own, and Apple’s done a great job providing a platform for that to happen.

Also, developing and marketing iOS apps has been a huge learning experience for me, and I love learning new stuff. I am looking forward to more learning at 360iDev.

Q: What’s your favorite Game?

A: The game I probably played the most is Toki Tori (iTunes Link). It is a great platform puzzle game with super well designed puzzles. I also really love Osmos (iTunes Link), a fantastic ambient game created by good friends of mine.

I haven’t tried Osmos, but have heard a TON of great things about it!! Hope that friend is coming to 360|iDev :)

Q: What’s your favorite App?

A: I love Yelp for discovering good restaurants. It is especially useful when traveling, but even in my hometown Vancouver I use it a lot to find cool new restaurants to check out.

I also really like the Reeder (iTunes Link), Twitter and Simplenote (iTunes Link) apps.

Reeder is my current favorite news reader, but Net News Wire is always my go to reader. Both are great apps. I never took to simplenote, favoring Elements and Evernote more.

Q: Robots or Ninjas?

A: Definitely Ninjas. Robots are making a lot of progress though. I predict Robots overtaking Ninjas in awesomeness around 2020.

I’m calling my booky

Q: What would you change about the iOS platform if you could change just one thing?

A: Apple has been good about addressing one pain point after another. It is amazing how much better things are today than when things started in 2008. There have been huge improvements in the SDK, the dev tools, the devices, the App Store, payment processing, dev support, the review system and more.

If I could change one thing, I would add a feature to allow for charitable donations in apps. It should use the same simple one-click payment system as in-app purchases. Ideally 100% of the donation would go straight from Apple to the charity and Apple would forward the donation tax receipt via email to the user.

That’s a pretty slick idea. Gifting apps was a huge step, so it’s not far fetched that this could happen someday! I’d love as much flexibility as possible in purchasing/gifting apps.

Q: What are you most excited about 360|iDev Austin?

A: I am looking forward to learning a lot during the sessions, but am maybe even more excited about the time outside the sessions: Making new friends in the iOS developer community and reconnecting with old ones. It will be fun times.

The non session stuff is a blast. It’s great to finally meet people you’ve emailed and IM’ed with, follow on twitter etc. Share a beer, some food, talk about code, and business. It’s a great experience! And of course the sessions are better than you’ll see anywhere else!

Q: Lastly, what would you tell someone on the fence about attending 360|iDev Austin?

A: If you are an indie iOS developer, you absolutely should come. You’ll learn a lot in the many great sessions. But more importantly you will meet many awesome developers who have similar passions and ambitions and are fighting similar problems as yourself and are more than happy to share their knowledge and experiences.

Damn straight!

Don’t miss out on the best indie iOS developer event around! Register now before it’s too late!

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360iDev – Speaker Tom Frauenhofer

October 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Tom has been a friend of ours for a long time! It’s great to have him onboard as a speaker!! We’re really excited to have him presenting “Introduction to Cocos2D for iPhone” on Monday morning!
  • Q: How long have you been doing iOS development?

A: Almost 2 years, mostly for small projects for others.  Recently we released a game, Chromatic Cosmos (iTunes Link) using Cocos2D.

That’s awesome! Congrats! Seems like a common path, working for someone else until the time is right.

Q: What do you like most about being an iOS Developer?

A: iOS users are very demanding.  Apple and the other developers have set a very high bar for the quality and usability of applications.  It’s very challenging to get it right, and it’s a lot of fun.

Yeah the bar is pretty darn high. Consumers, Apple, and the Dev community, don’t let B-Game apps get any sunlight

Q: What’s your favorite Game?

A: Chromatic Cosmos (laughs) – I’m also playing Angry Birds, and I love Plants versus Zombies and Harbor Master (iTunes Links).

Have you been playing with my iPhone!? I just got Angry Birds the other day, but it’s already sucked hours of my time. I’m on level 4 something I think. Crazy! Harbor Master and PVZ are also long time favorites! They all still have places on my iDevices. Chromatic Cosmos is going to be in good company!

Q: What’s your favorite App?

A: I drive a lot, and I get a lot of use out of Copilot North America – it’s improved so much since the first version, and they added an upgrade to provide traffic information, which I don’t know how I managed without that.

My second favorite app is Flipboard on my iPad – I suffered through the initial problems they had satisfying the demand, and now it’s a first-class magazine replacement.  And it’s so beautifully done!

I don’t know what we did before live traffic!! I tried Flipboard and was put off by the overhyped fail/launch, but have recently re-installed it and it’s better than I thought. Quite impressive.

Q: Robots or Ninjas?

A: Pshaw – Ninjas all the way, baby!

HA HA

Q: What would change about the iOS platform if you could change just one thing?

A: Make it easier for small business/small enterprise deployments.  There are a lot of apps that will go to competitors because it’s just painful enough to do a limited run.

Yeah the iOS platform, while touting business support with exchange and such, is very not ideal for business uses. It seems odd to deploy internal applications to the App Store.

Q: What are you most excited about 360|iDev Austin?

A: 1) Spending several days hanging around with some of the best and the brightest developers on Earth.  I always learn a lot at 360 conference events.

2) Austin is amazing – the music scene is great, and the barbecue is even better!

Agreed! We want 360|iDev to be all about fun and mind blowing experiences :)

Q: Lastly, what would you tell someone on the fence about attending 360|iDev Austin?

A: This is THE BEST conference to learn about building software for iOS devices from actual developers!  It’s a very intimate environment, and by the end you will come away knowing a lot more about building and marketing apps.

Couldn’t agree more!! The community is all about helping each other out!

Don’t miss out! Register now for what will be the best 360|iDev ever! Don’t forget to book your room at the Marriott before the room block ends!

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360iDev – Speaker Collin Donnell

October 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Collin, the world’s sexiest programmer has been a speaker at every 360|iDev, and is always a blast to have with us. Collin is presenting on Tuesday ‘Blocks and Grand Central Dispatch’. This ain’t no intro session, he’s bringing his A-Game, make sure you do too :)

Q: How long have you been doing iOS development?

A: Two and a half years since around April of 2008.

Q: What do you like most about being an iOS Developer?

A: Working on a totally new thing. It kind of feels like the future.

The future is grand, that’s for damn sure. I admit, seeing everyone at 360|iDev, and hearing what they’re working on, and seeing apps released throughout the year, is awe inspiring. The future pretty much rocks!

Q: What’s your favorite Game?

A: Right now? The Incident (iTunes Link).

I love that in every interview, this question is prefaced with “right now” it’s so cool to see casual gaming taking off. I never thgouht I’d be a fan, but even back on my Moto T720 flip, i’d fire up lemonade tycoon when waiting in lines, etc. It’s great to see gaming taking off, and to see so much cool stuff happening, that favorite games are “right now” only.

Q: What’s your favorite App?

A: 1Password (iTunes link) with Dropbox sync is really great.

I admit, I’ve never been able to put 1Password into my mobile workflow. I think because of the lack of browser integration. I never think ahead to open 1Password, then spawn a browser with the form fields populated, i just don’t work like that, so it’s never caught on.

Q: Robots or Ninjas?

A: Primitive mammal like robots.

Like rats, and possums?

Q: What would change about the iOS platform if you could change just one thing?

A: I’d love it if there was a way for developers to interact with their users more directly, such as responding to comments. It’s frustrating when you know you can solve a dissatisfied customers problem but have no way to help them.

Like on iTunes with rating and comments? Yeah it’s odd that Apple has made it largely a blind process for all concerned, I know as a consumer, sometimes your only option at expressing yourself is the ratings and comments in iTunes, which usually isn’t the best forum for that type of thing.

Q: What are you most excited about 360|iDev Austin?

A: I’ve never been to Austin, but I’ve heard it’s amazing there. I’m looking forward to seeing all of the great people and learning from amazing developers and designers.

Yeah Austin is a pretty kick ass city, I hope everyone gets a chance to get into downtown at some point. We really enjoyed our site visit!

Q: Lastly, what would you tell someone on the fence about attending 360|iDev Austin?

A: Every 360iDev has raised the bar over the last one; this is going to be the best one yet. The quality of presentations and the level of technical content has gone up a lot and I can honestly say this is a great conference for developers of all levels.

That’s what we like to hear! We strive to offer the best and most technical talks. We love the Rock Band, the beer bashes, and everything else, but by and large the main goal is to make the sessions be the focus and make sure they deliver a level of technical awesomeness that isn’t matched at other events (even WWDC, yes I said it :D)

Don’t miss out, Collin is right, this 360|iDev is on track to be better than those that came before it! If you’re an iOS developer, you owe it to yourself to join us in Austin. Whether you’re an indie or working for someone else, the networking and learning opportunities at 360|iDev, are beyond compare! Register now!

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360iDev – Speaker Dave Wiskus

October 5, 2010 By 2 Comments

Dave found 360|iDev before he was even a part of the community. At the first ever 360|iDev Dave was in San Jose for his then day job, and came out to meet Brent Simmons at some event Brent was attending. Dave and I both live in Denver and knew each other, but he didn’t know I ran events. I saw him standing outside the conference and invited him in… A year and some change later the rest is history :)

Q: How long have you been doing iOS development?

A: About a year and a half. I quit my day job about seven months ago, and joined Double Encore shortly after that.

It’s been awesome to watch Dave move from guy who owned an iPhone to successful iPhone developer all from that first meeting at 360|iDev San Jose ’09

Q: What do you like most about being an iOS Developer?
A: The community: these people clearly love what they do. This isn’t a job, it’s a lifestyle.

The iOS Community truly is one of the best I’ve ever experienced! Whether helping each other promote apps, or collaborating on a project there’s no end to the greatness of this community.

Q: What’s your favorite Game?

A: Mail. Or Words With Friends.

Awesome! I love mail!! one of my favorite games of all time! Words with friends (iTunes Link) is fun too! I’m jwilker

Q: What’s your favorite App?
A: Boxcar. Because it means never having to frantically delete a post that was intended to be a direct message because I didn’t realize I was using the SMS app.

awesome. I’ve done that enough to warrant using boxcar! (iTunes Link)

Q: Robots or Ninjas?

A: We live in the future; why should I have to choose just one? I demand a robot ninja.

The Future is frakkin’ marvelous!

Q: What would change about the iOS platform if you could change just one thing?

A: Smart image scaling. If I do every @2x asset with even-number pixel dimensions, the phone should automatically scale down for non-retina displays.

Kinda surprising that’s not in there, definitely a suck point to make Developers and Designers deal with that, that if nothing else screams SDK/OS feature.

Q: What are you most excited about 360|iDev Austin?

A: I want to see Mike Lee give his talk dressed as a pirate.

I heard that was done at some other event, I think he should dress like a care bear.

Q: What would you tell someone on the fence about attending 360|iDev Austin?

A: iDev launches careers. The networking opportunities alone are worth the trip, to say nothing of the speaker line-up.

Don’t miss Mike Lee dressed like a care bear, and 30+ other great speakers delivering 40+ kick ass sessions! Register now! See you in Austin!

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360iDev – Speaker Bob Koon

October 1, 2010 By 1 Comment

We’re really happy to have Bob koon on board as a speaker! He’s talking about App piracy (he’s against, just FYI) and data snooping on Monday at 10:20!

Q: How long have you been doing iOS development?

A: We have been iPhone developers ever since the SDK was made available to the general public, but our first title didn’t arrive until late in 2008

Ah, nice. It’s been a long road since then!

Q: What do you like most about being an iOS Developer?

A: Developing for iOS gives us the ablity to put our games into the hands of millions of people without a major investment in software or hardware.

The barriers to entry are very low for iOS, which is nice. There’s still a sense of “I can make it on my own if I work hard, and make cool things” and that’s totally true!

Q: What’s your favorite Game?

A: It’s really just a tech demo at the moment, but I think the most exciting potential game I have right now is Epic Citadel. (Rage looks amazing too but that’s not out yet.) These games are inspiring in many ways because it shows us what is possible. Exciting times!

Dang! Can’t wait to see them! Game play has evolved so much since the launch of the iPhone, and it’s so cool to see the unique and clever games and game play that iOS developers come up with!

Q: What’s your favorite App?

A: I’ll have to go with the official Twitter app for iPhone. It’s a bit of a cop-out but I don’t spend much time using apps. When I do, I’m out of the office so I look for ways to connect with my friends.

Well twitter’s been on more than one reply to this question so it’s a good cop out :) I do wish they’d give it a bit more love feature wise, keeping my fingers crossed!

Q: Robots or Ninjas?

A: Definitely robots, no question! I’ve been hooked on robots ever since I first saw Robby in Plan 9 From Outer Space. (Marvin is a very close second.) 3PO and R2 is the easy answer (almost a given), but I wanted something a bit more exotic.

I dunno. Hard to beat Summer Glau for exotic robot choices… of course she’d likely try to punch through your chest and pull your heart out, but still, Summer Glau… But yeah Robby is a great mainstay when talking about Robots!

Q: What would change about the iOS platform if you could change just one thing?

A: I’d love to stop the infusion of cruft in the App Store. It’s flooded with very low-quality apps that just make it more difficult for the good apps to shine through. There needs to be a way to cut through that.

Agreed. No offense to the fart app folks and the flash lights, and lighters, etc. but you guys aren’t trying hard enough, I’d love to see Apple put a bit more of it’s draconian scrutiny towards those types of apps.

Q: What are you most excited about 360|iDev Austin?

A: This will be my first 360|iDev, so I’m really looking forward to networking with all of my friends and colleagues from Twitter and developer mail lists, many of them I will be meeting in person for the very first time. I’m also looking forward to attending as many sessions as possible!

Yeah 360|iDev is always a great time to connect and re-connect. It’s great to put faces and beers to the twitter avatar!

Q: Lastly, what would you tell someone on the fence about attending 360|iDev Austin?

A: The iOS development community is a fantastic group of folks! Everyone is eager to share their knowledge and experiences! You get real-world information straight from the people in the trenches. If you want to learn about iOS development, 360|iDev is where you want to be!

As far as we’re concerned, there’s no better developer community out there! Whether supporting each other with code or collaborating on projects or even helping make noise about a new release, I’ve never seen a more friendly and open community! It’s my hope that 360|iDev helps embody and enhance that vibe!

Don’t miss out on what is often referred to as the best iOS developer gathering around. Sure you could go elsewhere, but why? Don’t miss this chance to be among the most awesome developers around, sharing stories over beers and helping expand the community! Register now!

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360iDev – Speaker Steven Hugg

September 28, 2010 By 1 Comment

Want to learn from actual iOS developers? 360|iDev is all about actual developers, building apps, and doing awesome things. It’s really that simple, there’s lots of other events, and when you look at the speaking roster, just think to yourself, does she/he even write iOS apps? Everyone one of our 30+ speakers, DOES!

Q: How long have you been doing iOS development?
A: About a year. Never touched Objective C before that.
Fair, same here. Prior to the iPhone i’d never even thought about Mac software other than really enjoying using it!

Q: What do you like most about being an iOS Developer?
A: Besides the freedom of being independent, the excitement of being involved in computer history. The App Store is like a revival of shareware, but at lightning speed and in your pocket. I remember the diverse and experimental gameplay of the early days of computer gaming, and many iOS games remind me of that aesthetic. And there are some apps I can’t live without anymore. I don’t even use the phone part of my iPhone.
Right now, it seems that being an indie iOS developer is a pretty good path to financial independence, the gold rush hasn’t ended, though it has slowed in my opinion, it’s still a good time to start writing awesome games and apps, and staking your claim!
Q: What’s your favorite Game?
A: Hmm. There have been a few standouts. Sword & Poker was an addiction awhile back. Helsing’s Fire is very well done, as is Spirit HD. Sometimes I just like to be silly and launch gnomes in Chuck Gnome.
Nice! The best part of these interviews is getting an idea of games and apps I’ve never played! I’ll be checking these out for sure!!
Q: What’s your favorite App?
A: Twitter and NY Times are frequent. When traveling, Yelp, TripAdvisor, HotelsByMe. When sleeping, White Noise :) PositionApp to check on our global App Store dominance.
I’m a huge yelper! Great app! Elite ’10!
Q: Robots or Ninjas?
A: Well, robots can be programmed to be sassy. Ninjas can’t.
I think ninjas are just sassy on their own. I mean if you could will with a touch, why NOT be sassy, who’s gonna stop ya?
Q: What would change about the iOS platform if you could change just one thing?
A: I’d love to browse the source code! :D
HA HA. Good luck with that!
Q: What are you most excited about 360|iDev Austin?
A: 360iDev seemed like a reunion of old friends even at first attendance. It’s great to be able to tune into the wavelength of so many like-minded developers at once. I’ve refined my Rock Band chops to a fine point, so beware. And speaking will be a blast! :)
We try to keep that vibe going. 360|iDev almost always starts out Sunday night with lots of handshakes and hugs, and beer bottles clinking! It’s like a class reunion, without the awkward “you use to beat me up moments” and no one is fatter!
Q: Lastly, what would you tell someone on the fence about attending 360|iDev Austin?
A: It’s important to have perspective if you’re working as an independent, and 360iDev gives you that perspective in a relatively short period of time. There are some things you just can’t learn on Twitter.
We love seeing people leave on wednesday, eager to get back to coding. Fresh with new app/game ideas, and new ways to finish the project they’re working on. It’s great to know that within months of 360|iDev there’s gonna be some awesome new releases!
Make sure you register sooner rather than later. We’re planning on this being the biggest 360|iDev yet and sure, you can go to one of the imposter events, but why, when the real deal is coming up so soon, and is (in almost every case) cheaper with more actual iOS developers as speakers and attendees.
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360iDev – Speaker Justin Williams

September 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment
I’ve never met Justin in person, but we’ve exchanged tweets on Mac vs. iOS events, and tracks within events etc. I’m super happy he’s on board as a speaker, and has submitted for 360|MacDev as well! He’s a great model of ‘the successful developer’
Make sure you check out his session ‘Punching Out: Selling Your iPhone Apps To Someone Else’ on Monday.
Q: How long have you been doing iOS development?
A: I started toying with the SDK when it was released given my Mac background, but I only just got in the App Store with my own products full-time in the past few months with the release of Elements and MarkdownMail (iTunes Link).
Awesome! It’s cool to have long time Mac Devs get into iOS, I think it’s a neat perspective.
Q: What do you like most about being an iOS Developer?
A: The Mac is still my preferred development platform, but iOS is turning into a really fun diversion since it allows me to build such focused apps. Little apps like my MarkdownMail product wouldn’t make much sense on the Mac, but they turn out to be pretty useful on iOS because the goal is to build simple, focused apps rather than cramming in as many features as possible.
Well said. I think the Mac platform for apps has a lot going for it (obviously as I write this on my Macbook, LOL). Exactly right on the being specific and purposeful, iOS is a very narrow platform, and best served by apps that do one thing really well.
Q: What’s your favorite Game?
A: The only game that has kept my attention is Angry Birds (iTunes Link).  I’m really not much of a gamer, but it’s a great way to kill a few minutes with mindless fun.
Q: What’s your favorite App?
A: QueueUp is a new app from the fine folks at BitBQ that I’m really enjoying lately.  It’s a really focused Netflix app that’s sole purpose is adding items to your disc queue.  I’ve never liked the other Netflix apps on the phone because they try to wrap every aspect of their API when all I really ever want to do on my phone is add discs to my queue or rate what I just watched.  QueueUp gets me halfway there.  It’s awesome.
Nice, will have to check it out! I’ve all but given up on the queue manager apps, most try to do too much, poorly!
Q: Robots or Ninjas?
A: Ninjas.  If I had a private plane like Steve Jobs, I’d try to bring ninja stars back from Japan too.
Shoot, i’d bring ninjas back. They’re better at throwing them, I suspect!
Q: What would change about the iOS platform if you could change just one thing?
A: I’ve got a laundry list and Apple has been slowly ticking items off of it.  My current dream is that they allow for sideloading applications onto the phone like is possible on Android.  I don’t expect it to ever happen, but it would silence a majority of the critics of the App Store platform and would give users an outlet to get those apps that Apple doesn’t deem appropriate for their storefront.
Yeah as an owner of an Android phone, the sideloading feature is nice. I’ve always wished that Apple would put a toggle in the settings app to pretty much accept “I’m a savvy user, please let me make some decisions for myself and my device. I accept the responsibility”
Q: What are you most excited about 360|iDev Austin?
A: I haven’t left Indiana since February, so I’m looking forward to getting out of state.  :)  I’m also really looking forward to the technical sessions.  While I enjoy WWDC, I find smaller conferences like 360, NSConference and C4 (RIP) offer a much more varied and rich amount of content because its from people who are using the tools in the real world.  WWDC is great for getting up to snuff on the new stuff coming soon.  360 will be great for learning how to really take advantage of what’s available today.
Yeah we try to not compete with WWDC (impossible) but make it clear the technical aspects of 360|iDev far outweigh what you’re get at bigger events that have a wider focus.
Q: Lastly, what would you tell someone on the fence about attending 360|iDev Austin?
A: Come to Austin.  The sessions are going to be great, but the real benefit of events like this is the camaraderie with your fellow developers.  It’s like drinking a giant jug of iOS Kool-Aid.
HA HA. so true!! Kool-Aid, with beer in it!
Don’t miss out! 360|iDev is gonna be awesome! Click here to register!
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360iDev – Speaker Mat Martel

September 16, 2010 By 1 Comment

Matt Martel is a great guy, and long time supporter of 360|iDev. It’s always great to have him with us, especially as a speaker! Make sure you check out his session ‘Using an Ad Mediation Layer (AdWhirl, or Mobclix)’ it’s sure to be a good one!

Q: How long have you been doing iOS development?

A: Since April 2008, right after the first SDK was released. I started working on a companion iPhone app to a social networking site (Plum) that has since been acquired by Nokia.

where it died as all things nokia do?

Q: What do you like most about being an iOS Developer?

A: I like community of iPhone developers most. The tools are great, and the individuals at Apple are doing a super job, but the indie developers across the globe are so supportive and helpful.

agreed! The community around iOS is second to none!

Q: What’s your favorite Game?

A: That has to be Compression or Compression HD.

Q: What’s your favorite App?

A: It’s Twitter or NetNewsWire, though NNW needs some serious updating.

lol well you can tell brent simmons, over beers!

Q: Robots or Ninjas?

A: Yeah, robots for me. Have you seen Elf Command?

robot elves!?!?

Q: What would change about the iOS platform if you could change just one thing?

A: Right now I’m working on Game Center. It should run on all devices, and needs offline support.

that makes a lot of sense. I’d love to see game center extend to mac desktop games, how awesome would that be! Maybe by 360|MacDev we’ll have something like that to talk about, lol

Q: What are you most excited about 360|iDev Austin?

A: Never been to Austin, heard great things about it. Also excited to meet new devs and say hi to old friends. Then there’s this iOS 4.2 thing…

really hoping 4.2 comes the week before 360|iDev, how cool would that be! Of course it might put a few presentations in to quick update/rewrite mode, lol.

Q: What would you tell someone on the fence about attending 360|iDev Austin?

A: This is the one conference that can’t be beat. Unlike WWDC or GDC you will not be totally overwhelmed by crowds. This is highly interactive in a way that only a small show can be. Your best bet if you are on a budget or have a schedule conflict. The sessions are super, but the networking is priceless.

Well said! We often tell people, if you can hit both do, but if you have to choose, choose 360|iDev, you’ll get more, for less and there’s lots of beer!

Register now!

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360iDev – Speaker Brian Robbins

September 15, 2010 By 1 Comment

We love Brian! 1. he’s a local Denverite :) 2. he’s spoken at several 360|iDev’s now. and 3. He’s got a lot of great things to say. This time in Austin he’s doing a follow up to his great San Jose talk, ‘Building a Non-Hit Driven Business’ with ‘Building a Non-Hit Driven Business, 6 months later’ on Tuesday at 1:30!

Q: How long have you been doing iOS development?

A: Since May 2008, a month or so before the original App Store launch.

Awesome! One of the “available at launch apps”

Q: What do you like most about being an iOS Developer?

A: I still love getting to create new ways for people to interact with our games and apps. As well as the amazing developer community that exists.

Awesome. The iOS devices definitely have opened some interesting doors for games. From gestures, to play modes. It’s definitely a game (ha ha) changing platform.

Q: What’s your favorite Game?

A: I’ve been playing a lot of NinJump (iTunes Link) lately, but it’s tough to name just one as my favorite. It tends to change ever few weeks :)

I know that all too well. I find I get really into a game for a while, then move on, and sometimes I come back, sometimes I don’t. Must be a common phenomenon.

Q:  What’s your favorite App?

A: Flipboard for sure. I feel like that has really helped me keep up with my Facebook and Twitter friends far better than I used to.

interesting!

Q: Robots or Ninjas?

A: Ninjas every time.

What about Ninja Cats?

Q: What would change about the iOS platform if you could change just one thing?

A: Far less developers flooding the app store with junk apps that have little to no production value and little to no consumer interest.

Agreed! Though I think it’s far less a problem than on the Android Market, but yeah, I’d rather Apple turn it’s draconian approval practices to crap apps, more than ‘morally questionable’ apps.

Q: What are you most excited about 360|iDev Austin?

A: Reconnecting with all the great developers that are at each event.

Agreed! Shoot that’s what we’re so excited about too! :)

Q: Lastly, what would you tell someone on the fence about attending 360|iDev Austin?

A: The 360iDev conferences have quickly become my favorite conferences to attend. The sessions have a great mix of inspirational, technical and business focus so there’s really something for everyone here.

Great to hear :) That’s what we strive for, we want developers off all scope to come away with new info, skills, etc. Whether it’s design, business or development, so long as they leave with more than they came with :)

If that doesn’t convince you maybe the price will. $599 for 4 days, 40 sessions, over 30 speakers, parties, top developers from all over the world, etc. Shop around, any other events offer that? When you’re convinced that 360|iDev is the right choice, go register!

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360iDev – Speaker – Brandon Alexander

September 14, 2010 By 2 Comments

As we approach 360|iDev Austin, we’re beginning our speaker interview series. These little interviews are a great way to get to know our speakers, before you meet them in Austin.

Enjoy!

Q: How long have you been doing iOS development?

A: 2.5 years or so

It’s funny, that’s about how long most have been in it I’d guess, maybe a smidge longer, for the folks who were there at launch.

Q:What do you like most about being an iOS Developer?

A: I love the language, development tools and most of all the community. Without the vibrant iOS dev community, I wouldn’t be writing iOS apps. Furthermore, the level of quality demanded by the users makes every project challenging. I love that challenge!

Very true. I suspect iOS users are probably the most demanding as far as app quality. No offense to Google and Android, but there doesn’t seem to be much demand for high quality games/apps right now. I’m hoping that will change, and it’s good to see popular iOS titles being built for Android, I think that’ll elevate the game a bit.

Q: What’s your favorite Game?

A: Right now it is Isaac Newton’s Gravity (iTunes Link)

That looks pretty sweet! It never stops amazing me how many games and apps escape notice. Downloading now!

Q: What’s your favorite App?

A: I couldn’t live without Twitter for iPhone or News Rack/Flipboard for iPad

I tried Flipboard, and got a little disgusted. Overcapacity at launch is kind of a non starter for me. HOWEVER it does look nicely made. It’s a visually appealing app for sure! I really dig twitter for iPhone, though I think the iPad version is a little to forward thinking.

Q: Robots or Ninjas?

A: I would have to say robots because I could build a Robot Ninja to protect me from other Ninjas. It could also protect me from the coming Zombie apocalypse. Plus having an army of Robot Ninjas sounds pretty cool to me.

Someone beat you to it, but that’s fine, now you can save the R&D money and just buy two more completed Ninja Robots.

Q: What would change about the iOS platform if you could change just one thing?

A: Cocoa bindings! I started learning Cocoa and got a bit spoiled by Cocoa Bindings. Since my talk is on using Interface Builder, I would love to see more support for Cocoa Touch in IB.

Ah, interesting! I’m gonna have to pop my head into your session :)

Q: What are you most excited about 360|iDev Austin?

A: This is my first 360|iDev so I’m mostly excited to meet all the fine developers I follow on Twitter and the creators of fine apps. I’m also excited to be consumed in really technical stuff during the day and hanging out with everyone at night.

Well put. Yeah you’ll need the nights to let your brain cool down and process all the great technical content :)

Q: Lastly, what would you tell someone on the fence about attending 360|iDev Austin?

A: You can learn anything from the web, but where else can you meet the same people who write those blogs posts and create some great apps?

Exactly! The web is a great place to solve that niggling problem you’re having right now, conferences are about learning the next generation tricks, and meeting the people you may be working with someday. It’s about the face to face interaction!

Don’t miss out! Register now! 4 days, 3 parties, 5 hands-On sessions on Sunday. All for just $599! I dare ya to find a better deal!

Oh and the Marriott is dirt cheap too!! Register now!

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