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360iDev 2011 – Just 39 Days to go!

Are you a game developer? Want to be? Maybe just want to brush up on your dev skills with a little out of the box development.

 

The Game Jam is for you. And as it turns out, by you. The 360|iDev 2011 Game Jam will take place Tuesday night, sponsored by the iOS community!

The Game Jam is a great place to build your first game, or your tenth. To share what you know and learn new things.

Check out the official page, managed by our pal (and speaker) Mike Berg.

The first time Noel Llopis suggested the Game Jam to us, we loved it. Ever since then we’ve been more than happy to have one take place.

The Game Jam starts around 7pm, and goes until around 8. It’s fully hands on, bring your laptop, we’ll supply the red bull, coffee and snacks.

Then if you like, you can show off your hard work during lunch on Wednesday at the Game Jam Review.

 

See you there! Make sure you register before we sell out!

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360iDev – Game Jam sponsored by you, the iOS Community!

I can’t say how awesome the community is! Apple is freaking lucky to have such cool folks, who can go above and beyond for each other, building apps for the iPhone. Not to diminish the iPhone but truly, any platform would rock with folks like you behind it!

The 360|iDev Game Jam, sponsored this time around by non other than our awesome community members is ON! Whether you’re a veteran game maker, or newb looking to get a start at games, the Game Jam is for you! It’s a great time!

It’s simple, the game jam starts around Tuesday night 8ish. It ends, Wednesday morning, around 9ish. Anyone who’d like to present their game is welcome to join me during the Wednesday keynote to show off their game. Past Game Jam efforts have landed in the app store!

We’ll have plenty of Red Bull, and soda, and red vines and what not to keep everyone going.

Whether you’re gonna get yur game jam on our not, thank all these folks for making the Game Jam possible!

See you in Austin!!

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360iDev – Party it up with Disney Monday Night!

This is obviously for attendees only but make sure you RSVP for Monday night’s party for a chance to win some cool goodies!

RSVP HERE

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360iDev – Speaker Collin Donnell

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 – Brandon Alexander

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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360iDev – From Game Jam to Appstore

The Game Jam, is a great time. It’s also an awesome place to create a game that will someday be up on the appstore. Case in point Star Fighter X2 By our pal Dan at Manic Gaming. This game started out life in the Game Jam, as a prototype. Now it’s in the app store!

The Game Jam started in Denver 2009, and we’ve continued it ever since. In San Jose 2010 The Touch Arcade Game Jam saw a ton of awesome games being worked on, developers collaborating, sharing their knowledge and skills, to help each other out.

The Game Jam brings together developers of all skill levels, to collaborate and build games or learn game theory. Many developers with little experience in game development use the Game Jam as a launch pad to quickly ramp up and leave the next morning with a firm understanding of Game Dev. Touch Arcade, our awesome sponsor in San Jose did several posts about the experience.

To take part in the Game Jam you have to be an attendee, register now!

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360iDev – Call For Papers Open

November is a long way away. I know that.

BUT once accepted, speakers can tweak their topic to their heart’s content, so long as it’s not a complete “Oh well it was this, and now it’s this completely different thing”, so submitting now, or waiting a while, no matter. What matters is not forgetting to submit, or missing the deadline. You can always update your submission as we go before the call for papers close.

I figure the call for speakers will close around July-August sometime.

The way it works (for those of you that haven’t spoken before) is this. You email us with your idea, answering all the items outlined below. That’s it :)

After we close the call for papers, we’ll make selections.

Haven’t spoken at 360|iDev before? it’s easy. We’re probably the most low pressure event around, and we love having new people from the community present. Many of our highest rated presenters, started out as attendees, then decided to share what they knew with the community.

What we’ll need in your session submission:

  • Your name
  • Your Email
  • Your twitter ID or blog address (Whatever you want your name to link to on the speakers page)
  • Session Name
  • Session description
  • Session level (100 – 300+) The more advanced the better, just saying.
  • Session Track (tracks are: Business,  Sights, Sounds, and Interactions, Development Tips and Tricks)
  • Is this session strictly iPhone or iPad? Let us know so we can start marking any such sessions
  • Lastly, have you presented this topic anywhere else. No offense to other events, but we hate stuff that’s made the circuit. It’s cool to show it at a cocoa heads, or NScodernight, but we hate sloppy seconds. The fresher the content the better.

Have a few ideas, submit them all! Sometimes we ask speakers to do more than one session if they pitch more than one awesome idea.

What’s in it for you as a speaker? Well we of course don’t make you pay to attend, but we also cover your hotel stay for 3 nights.

Less quantifiable benefits of speaking at 360|iDev?

  • Book deals
  • New Job or new consulting work
  • who knows, Apple might hire you… just saying, we’ve seen a fair number of people who come to iDev, get snatched up by the mothership…
  • Everlasting fame and (kharmic) fortune

So send in your topic ideas, remember, I’m under NDA too, so if you have an idea that’s not released yet, feel free, and we’ll keep it hush hush until it is announced. No NDA breaking here :)

See you in Austin!

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360iDev Touch Arcade Game Jam

Have a game idea you’ve been saving for when you have the time? Maybe you need to learn cocos2d first to do the game you want. Maybe you have too many other things going on, but the moment you have a few hours, it’s on.

Well, the Touch Arcade Game Jam, is for you :)

Starting Tuesday night, after the evening reception, we’ll be locking (Not really) anyone who wants to into a room at Ebay to crank out code all night long, 12 straight hours, through the night.

Touch Arcade is sponsoring, and will keep you hydrated, fed, and loaded up on Toblerone and Red bull.

When everyone else comes back to Ebay Town hall for the Wednesday General Session (Mike Lee, ya’ll) the Game jammers will be done, and ready to show off their creations.

Whether you’re a game developer right now or not, the game jam is the best place for you to try it out.

3 days to write an app? p-shaw! In Denver we saw something like 15 games demoed. Some made it to the app store shortly after, some are still being worked on for future (soon) release.

Come learn from experienced game developers first hand, in person.
The Game Jam is open to any 360|iDev attendee. Make sure you have a power cord :)

Register now!

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360iDev – Speaker Chat tomorrow! Owen Goss

We met Owen at the first 360|iDev, he’s a great guy, and subscribes to the same transparency model we do, writing awesome blog posts about his experiences writing and making a living on his apps. Even though he couldn’t make it to 360|iDev Denver, he spent the night on Skype doing the game Jam remotely! Talk about dedication to the cause and community!

Join us tomorrow, noon MDT. Bookmark this link

If you haven’t booked your ticket to 360|iDev, you’re doing yourself a disservice. Your career will thank you, seriously. Register now!

See you tomorrow on the chat!

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360iDev – Birds of a Feather sessions

For those that don’t know what a Birds Of a Feather session is, it’s basically an ad hoc session organized by attendees or speakers, or anyone really for that matter (sorry can’t walk in off the street, gotta at least be an attendee).

Maybe it’s a Sci fi meetup or how to best create app icons, or a round table chat about the benefits of core data… whatever you want, literally. We’ve got a wiki set up with a BOFs page.

Simply go edit the page with your topic and your name. Then promote it of course. Once the listing is populated we’ll make noise too.

BOFs will take place from about 6:30 – 7:30. There’s time to enjoy the appetizers and beer and Rockband, then hop into a BOF, before heading to points unknown for the rest of the evening :)

It’s not too late to register, 360|iDev is coming up fast, don’t miss the most awesome collection of community awesomeness in one place, register now!