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360iDev 2012 – Our WWDC Plans

WWDC is just around the corner!

Whether you’re attending the conference or just hanging out in San Francisco, it’s a fun week no matter what!

Normally we hang out in the Starbucks next to Moscone, but this year we’re supporting the Indie Dev Lab and Appsterdam WWDC HQ by sponsoring food at each. So come over and hang out, and say hi, grab something more tasty than a box lunch, and enjoy plenty of Internet and AC Power.

We’ll have the first run of 360|iDev 2012 stickers so make sure you get a sticker to represent before everyone else! You’ll have to come on Monday though, because we’re only in town until mid-day on Tuesday unfortunately. This is the first year we haven’t spent the week in San Francisco since we started 360|iDev, but alas, it’s out of our hands this year, duty calls. We’ll be tweeting our location throughout the day so

So if you haven’t bought a ticket yet, drop by the Indie Dev Lab or Appsterdam HQ and grab a 30% off ticket. Even if you have your ticket already, come say hi and grab a snack and some power. Both of these awesome groups are what makes the iOS community so special.

Indies Supporting Indies!

 

See you in San Francisco!

 

 

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360iDev 2012 – Game Jam needs a leader

If you’ve attended 360|iDev in the past you know about the Game Jam. It’s a ton of fun, and a great way to jump into game development, or help others doing just that. It’s also awesome fun to see what everyone created in just over 12 hours of sugar and caffeine fueled creation.

The Game Jam runs Tuesday night, around 7 or 8 until Wednesday morning around 8 or so.

Here’s the catch this year, we don’t have someone to run it. Traditionally Noel Llopis and Mike Berg have taken the reins to organize the jam and create the topic of the evening. They can’t make it this year though.

 

So, anyone out there want to take the lead, and ride herd on the funnest 12-13 hours of the conference :) You’d need to decide on the topic of the jam (Previously it’s been “tiny” and “saving the earth” to name two topics), and do the overall coordination. We’ve got the site, and we of course help as much as we can :) but we can’t be the leader of it.

 

Drop a comment or an email and we’ll chat about it.

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360iDev 2012 – How to get started before the conference

As we all know, software developers - iOS developers in particular – are among those who occupy one of the few bright spots in today’s job market. Tech houses simply can’t find enough available, qualified coders to supply and support their needs.

Great!

…so, how does one become a developer? How do you learn to code? Do you need to enroll in your local college’s computer science program (FTR: I dropped out of CS after my freshman year)? Let’s assume for the moment that you are strapped for cash as well as time. You’re in luck! There’s a way to pursue the education you need to develop the necessary skills to become a developer readily and freely available, right now, online.

It takes effort on your part, but the tools and information to begin your path of becoming an iOS developer are all freely available. Who doesn’t love the internet!!

Lifehacker has published a curated list of freely available computer science and technology courses you can audit - for free - from your PC, Mac, iPhone, or iPad (or, for that matter, from any internet-connected device).

From the published article:

Of course, the article also goes on to list several great web resources for furthering your education in different spheres, like Mathematics, Science and Medicine, and so forth. But who doesn’t want to be an iOS developer, right? :)

As a bonus (the article refers to it as “extra credit”), the Lifehacker gurus have a list of sites you can peruse to help you find your own online classes to help further your education.

So what are you waiting for?

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360iDev 2011 – 31 days to go!

You know how many tickets are left? Less than 40.

Yes less than 40 tickets left for 360|iDev 2011. That means we’re closer to selling out than we’ve ever been. EVAR!

 

What’s that mean? Well if you haven’t bought a ticket, better get on it. Not only are tickets running low, so are hotel rooms. We’re gonna own the Crowne Plaza.

If you have bought your ticket, well you’re gonna be in some truly awesome company.

 

Sure there’s lots of other iOS conferences, but none are focused on the community like we are. Don’t miss out!

Register now!

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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 2011 – Attendee (and speaker)badges!

Show your love and support of 360|iDev with our (mostly) new badges. Got a blog, these fit real nice like in a sidebar :) No blog, scale ‘em down as a twitter avatar.

 

Let everyone know you’ll be at the only iOS developer conference created for the iOS developer community. Oh and of course, the only one with over 50 sessions, 40 speakers, and free hands-on training :)

Just save-as and away you go!

 

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360idev – Speaker Mike Lee

Mike Lee is… well he’s Mike Lee, BMF. Mike is one of those larger than life guys, that’s at the same time the coolest dude you’ll meet. We’ve been honored to have Mike Keynote and do regular sessions at 360|iDev… Oops sorry, not Keynote, general session ;)

Q: How long have you been doing iOS development?

A: For as long as there has been such a thing. I was already an experienced Mac developer, so when Apple first announced the iPhone, I knew I had to be on it, and have been ever since.

That’s right! Mike is also presenting (Keynoting!) at 360|MacDev, our Mac Desktop Developer conference in December!

Q: What do you like most about being an iOS Developer?
A: In general, I love being able to express myself creatively, making things that haven’t existed before, and programming is better suited to my abilities than painting. With iOS specifically, I love the way the iPhone and iPad are small enough to get out the way, bringing programming to the next level, where it becomes less about being hosted on the device, and more about transforming the device itself. It’s the closest thing we have to programming the atoms of some future nanotool.

Creatively said! Totally agree. I try out lots of devices, and so far find myself coming back to iOS time and again. I’m not fanboi enough to ignore a better device or better apps, but have yet to see the right combo exist. A true testament to Apple and the iOS community.

Q: What’s your favorite Game?
A: That’s like asking what my favorite song is! There are a lot of games I love for a lot of reasons. Of all time, probably Puzzle Pirates. These days, I’ve been playing a lot of Angry Birds, but ask me again later.

To True. It’s one of those (and maybe should be phrased this way), “what’s your favorite right now?” questions.

Q: What’s your favorite App?

A: Keynote, hands down. It was the app that most inspired me to get into the business of writing apps, and continues to be an inspiration on the fine art of making your users look amazing.

Interesting! That’s the first time that app has been mentioned!

Q: Robots or Ninjas?
A: I suppose it really depends. I rely on robots on a daily basis, and spend a lot of time thinking about robots I want to build. On the other hand, when you need someone assassinated—for using a splash screen, for example—it’s hard to beat a ninja.

Hard to beat a ninja in both senses of the word! Plus Robots, at least for now, are easy to hear sneaking up on you, or your enemy.

Q: What would change about the iOS platform if you could change just one thing?
A: I would make it trivial to use the 30-pin adapter so we could expand the devices in hardware the way we currently do in software. I would love to use my iPhone to control robots.

Yeah it’s a bummer the 30-pin is so locked down. I too would love to see more devices act as docks for iDevices. I think (I Hope) it’s a future evolution of the platform that my iPhone or iPad, can be the driver of my media center, or an auxiliary monitor without extra steps and “server” apps

Q: What are you most excited about 360|iDev Austin?
A: The crowd at 360 is the most passionate I have ever experienced. They leave me as inspired as I can only pray to leave them.

Having seen your last 360|iDev general session, i can say that’s a high bar. Your talk was very inspiring and left us all wow’ed. I agree, I go to a lot of events and have yet to see a community like the iOS community.

Q: Lastly, what would you tell someone on the fence about attending 360|iDev Austin?
A: What kind of pussy sits on the fence hemming and hawing over meeting great people who can only help them in the longrun?

I dunno, but they’re out there! And I want to meet them and convert them :)

with just a week to go, if you’re on the fence, tell us why? What’s keeping you from coming and being a part of something so much bigger than you. You’re career (indie or corp cube monkey) will thank you on Wednesday night. Leave a comment if you’re on a fence, we’d love to hear from you!

Otherwise, Go register!!!

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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 – Speaker Joe Keeley

Joe Keeley isn’t new to speaking at 360|iDev, and his session, “more Quartz 2D” isn’t one to miss if you’re looking for some hands on Quartz 2D action! Monday 1:30pm, be there!

Q: How long have you been doing iOS development?

A: Holy cow – two years this month! (That happened fast.)

Yes it did! I still remember, and just sold on Ebay, my iPhone 2G. I remember the lines, the launch of the app store, it’s been a whirl wind

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

A: Freedom. And needing to have all the latest Apple toys for, you know, testing.

LOL, yeah it makes it a little easier to justify buying the latest laptops and iOS devices :D
Q: What’s your favorite Game?

A: Wish I had more time to play games!  I do have fun playing Doodle Jump and Harbor Master HD with my four year old daughter.  Well, actually, watching her trounce my best scores consistently is more like it.

Both awesome games by awesome folks! Love ‘em both! I can’t wait to play the FrankenDoodle update that Igor just released.
Q: What’s your favorite App?

A: Lately I’ve really enjoyed using Star Walk on the iPad when we go camping.  It’s nice to actually be able to see stars and know what you’re looking at!

That’s an awesome idea!!! Dang! Can’t wait for spring and summer to get here now!!! Stupid winter!

Q: Robots or Ninjas?

A: Hmmmm….depends on whether the robots obey Asimov’s laws. Probably robots since theoretically you can shut them off.

Well thanks to scientists, we’re now teacing robots to break the Asimov laws… why, i can’t even guess.
Q: What would change about the iOS platform if you could change just one thing?

A: If only you could merge changes to an XIB file – that would make team development a bunch easier.

Yeah I’ve noticed that Apple has a thing with binary files and files that are packages. Ever tried using SVN or GIT to manage pages files? ya can’t!!! It’d be so awesome to share and be able to merge iWork docs. Oh yeah I guess XIBs too :)

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

A: Learning all sorts of unexpected new things!  And hanging out with the best iOS devs around.  It’s a great and humbling experience.

Humbling in a good way I hope :) But yeah I’ve never met anyone who left saying, “I didn’t learn anything new.”

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

A: Fences are uncomfortable to sit on.  Try the nice green grass on the 360|iDev Austin side!  It’s much better.

You know it! I sat a wrought iron fence for an hour once, I was off as fast as I could!!

Don’t miss out. Register now!

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360iDev – Speaker Hendrik Kueck

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!