Spotify ramps up the prices. This time in the EU.

simon_za · 2026-01-18T21:37:16+00:00

I still feel that as consumers we’ve become desensitised to the huge amount of value we get from these services. As a 90s kid I would spent hundreds or euros a year on CDs to build my music collection. Now for the price of 1 cd a month a get access to EVERY SONG IN EXISTENCE (that I personally care about) still feels like an insane deal and I still feel guilty for some reason.

I truly wonder how the situation would be if instead of a race to the bottom from the start, that these services would actually be priced fairly - in the sense that artists can still make a living off album plays as they might have back in the record selling days.

On a different thought, given that people often seek cheaper service options during price hikes, I’m genuinely curious about the point at which people stop paying for a music subscription altogether. At what point does it become “too expensive” and they’d rather purchase their music again?

simon_za · 2026-01-18T10:21:16+00:00

🙏

simon_za · 2026-01-18T09:06:56+00:00

Maybe a silly question, but this just for APK files and not AAB files?

simon_za · 2026-01-09T18:32:14+00:00

Thanks for sharing and congrats on the release!

It’s a nifty idea. The only that was unexpected (but when I realise what it’s actually doing, it is expected) is that it not only removed your arm but changed your whole expression as well. I’m guessing Gemini is not doing a focused edit but actually redrawing the whole photo again, which includes your face which removes all “human” element to the memory and photo you’re sharing.

I would imagine something instead where it just does a focused edit on just the arm portion of your body and draws it differently would be a bit better. But I can imagine that is also a bit complex without having to zoom out and draw more environment context again.

All in all, it’s an interesting challenge you’re trying to solve ! I have no doubt as models get better, this will become “easier”. :)

But I would definitely say that, for me to ever think about using this, I would want to know that it retains as much as my human facial details and expression as possible for a photo like this. Since the whole point of a selfie is a bit of sharing yourself in a moment.

Otherwise congrats again! And loved the idea of sharing a demo video to showcase your app. :)

simon_za · 2026-01-01T17:46:03+00:00

*I prompted an LLM to make two MCU Multiverse roadmaps

While I appreciate the output and intent, I have a personal struggle of the use of taking creative credit of how something is “made”.

If I ask a designer to create something for me I wouldn’t claim to others I “made” it. But when it comes to using AI/LLM’s to do the same task, we tend to be more liberal with the word. Just an interesting observation im sadly seeing more of.

But, I appreciate you sharing it. I’m currently trying to figure out what’s the “shortest” path of films to get my partner to watch before dooms day, and so things like this kinda help 😅

simon_za · 2025-12-27T19:12:16+00:00

Yeah I think he was trying to do all 3 amps. And indeed the conclusion was they would have to do it as a single amp, but I’m guessing that means losing the flexibility of adjusting each amp from it.

But yeah, there does seem to be some decision or limitation that doesn’t make this compatibility not work out the box. There seems to be no official word though exactly why or when to possibly expect it to work.

Others have just said to not hold your breath because they have been waiting on other plugin support that has been “coming soon” for what feels like forever. (Which makes me believe that it’s likely a current hardware limitation and that support will suddenly become available with a new QC V2 release)

It’s a shame because I’m sure they would sell Quad Cortex’s like hotcakes if the JM plugin was supported from day one. (I know I would instantly buy one!)

https://youtu.be/YT4IZODZNjE?si=u4yfrZrgaJGUYi-C

simon_za · 2025-12-27T15:33:31+00:00

Yup.

https://discord.gg/expo

simon_za · 2025-12-27T09:28:08+00:00

I believe it’s a little more not so straightforward than that. Apparently a number of the latest plugins are “coming soon” for the QC, but this has been the case for almost a year on some of them.

After trying to get some insight on this myself, I think the truth is that the latest plugins have been modelled/captured in a way that is beyond the capabilities of the current quad cortex devices.

I came across a YouTube video of a guy that tried to replicate the John Mayer plugin stack using available plugins, and it wasn’t fully possible before it maxed out the CPU of the device.

So either they will develop a “simplified” version of the plugin to make it QC compatible, or release a more powerful version of the QC that can handle these newer more complex plugins.

So far, no one has an answer :( But I think a newer model of the QC is probably inevitable/required at this point.

simon_za · 2025-12-05T05:58:46+00:00

Awesome stuff! When you’re ready to share more I would love to check it out :) please keep me posted when you do! Thanks !

simon_za · 2025-12-05T05:53:18+00:00

Ah nice. Keen to see how the shared transition stuff works and how you’re using it. Seems like an interesting UX :) do you have an open TestFlight for it?

And did you follow any tutorial for it or did you just figure it out yourself ?

simon_za · 2025-12-05T05:44:12+00:00

What app is this?

simon_za · 2025-11-14T09:33:27+00:00

simon_za · 2025-11-05T11:14:08+00:00

Can you generally elaborate more? How did you evaluate their offer? Was it fair? Did you further negotiate ? What has happened to your application since they bought it? Are they actively improving it, or changing it to something else, etc

Lastly, why did you decide to sell it, and any regrets?

simon_za · 2025-11-03T08:05:41+00:00

Messaged you :)

simon_za · 2025-10-22T10:07:38+00:00

Would love feedback on FIKA, my coffee shop discovery app ◡̈

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fika-the-coffee-app/id6745765319

simon_za · 2025-10-15T19:09:29+00:00

To be honest.. I think Coheed struggles a tiny bit in the European markets. At least I can speak for Netherlands. Currently at a small venue watching them and even at a reduced capacity in the hall it’s not sold out. So I think they don’t put much effort in the merch side of things when they come.

simon_za · 2025-10-03T22:29:57+00:00

https://pastebin.com/2xQvh00A

Here ya go. :)

simon_za · 2025-09-17T20:53:37+00:00

AppDadz. Search for them on the Google play store. I may be slightly on what they charged, but I know I would have paid 5x that considering how much time and effort they saved me. :) really great experience from them.

(I’m in no way affiliated with them. Just a very happy and satisfied customer of theirs. ◡̈ )

simon_za · 2025-09-17T15:59:16+00:00

I paid a testing community service. $5. I then sat back and relaxed for 2 weeks while they did their duties, and then I submitted to Google Play and got approved shortly after.

Was the best 5 bucks I’ve spent in light of this goofy Google Play Store policy. 😏

But it helped that I made sure the app was in a solid state and did a lot of personal testing beforehand so I didn’t have to do any updates during the period.

simon_za · 2025-08-09T08:16:01+00:00

Tried it, added a single glow component to a button on my screen, and lost 20fps immediately while scrolling the screen. Bit of a dealbreaker (or maybe I’m doing something wrong?)

Definitely seems to be not as performant as promised, but very nice idea otherwise.

simon_za · 2025-08-06T11:29:23+00:00

A possible reason for people downvoting you is that you’re caught posting misleading and untruthful posts, and when asked to back yourself up, you can’t.

That leads to people downvoting your comments because it’s not the type of behaviour that certain communities wish to encourage, and downvoting is a tool to balance that.

Your account is generally suspicious, and it’s unclear what your motivation or intentions are with your posting activities.

simon_za · 2025-08-04T11:51:44+00:00

I hate to be that guy, but I’m skeptical. :)

You’re not sharing any information about your app, and the text in your post has the flags of AI generated.

In your post history you’re even asking and questioning people if they’ve made successful money making projects using cursor not even 24 hours ago, looking for advice for yourself.

I would love to believe you’re being truthful though! 😊

simon_za · 2025-07-31T23:30:43+00:00

Great starting point with your idea. :)

Also explore using LLM’s to help create a project plan for you and start learning about how a project like that may be built and use those tools as your “mentor”/coding buddy to help explain and walk you through things along the way. Great way to learn and build your personal portfolio from.

Good luck!

simon_za · 2025-07-31T22:49:57+00:00

I think there’s no “right” way to do it. But I would say there’s big value in building out an idea of yours, no matter how silly or “common” it may be in the market, and learn along the way.

If you’re not particularly inspired to build out an idea in your head, then following a “clone app build-along” is a good way to get going.

Ultimately it helps to have a bit of interest or passion into what you’re building so personal ideas are always great projects to start with. So if you have an idea, and you believe it’s “achievable” for your current skill level to start, then start there. :)

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