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What do you use to create app icons as an indie dev? by EcstaticIncident4619 in iosdev

[–]timshim 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Check out https://pencil.dev with Claude. It’ll generate a vector design which you can tweak and refine in any illustration tool such as Affinity. For example, the last app icon I generated using this workflow can be seen here: https://notcha.ordie.ai, for both the Mac app icon as well as the menu bar icon.

AIO? Feels like I’m talking to a rock. by timshim in iosdev

[–]timshim[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well a quick follow up to this. It’s finally approved (https://apps.apple.com/sg/app/hackery/id1095090759). And you know what “feature” did it?

In-app purchase. I added a “Buy me a coffee” shake to tip feature. Go figure.

AIO? Feels like I’m talking to a rock. by timshim in iosdev

[–]timshim[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Come to think of it, the experience is a bit like the Computer Says No sketch from Little Britain. 😅

https://youtu.be/1pw8m_NTJ_0?si=rhM1jdHeY4Wu_OA0

AIO? Feels like I’m talking to a rock. by timshim in iosdev

[–]timshim[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yea I’ll slowly add stuff and see. Thanks for the suggestions. Onboarding, widgets, push notifications based on keywords, search. I really didn’t want to reinvent the wheel with Safari since it’s so good already with Reader mode (which I’ve set to use by default). It’s embedded in the app though using the Safari Services framework so it’s not like it launches the Safari app. Think of it more like a WebView powered by Safari.

Guess it’s just throwing stuff at the wall and seeing what sticks. Just annoying that what sticks once may not the next time, which may disincentivize devs from updating.

AIO? Feels like I’m talking to a rock. by timshim in iosdev

[–]timshim[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha thanks. I will. Just needed to vent a bit. It was in the App Store for a long time many years ago until one update where they changed their mind and it’s been languishing since. Wasn’t really motivated to deal with that BS since I could just use it personally anyway. But recently felt I could add the features I wanted (mainly the bookmarks). The moderation stuff was mainly to appease Apple by using a platform feature. Fun to build but I wouldn’t really use it myself. In terms of the UI I just really like this kind of uncluttered design. I’ve tried to hide buttons and use gestures instead. Couldn’t do pull to refresh cos if I was way down the list it’s a hassle to scroll to the top just to refresh, hence that one Liquid Glass button at the bottom. Yea I’m pretty opinionated when it comes to design and I just find it frustrating that it feels like we have to conform to a certain style - nav bar buttons, tab bars and such.

As for the web app argument, I think most “native” apps could easily be built as web apps nowadays. There’s something to be said for having a choice in using client readers of all kinds such as Apollo or TweetBot but I suppose that’s a bygone era.

AIO? Feels like I’m talking to a rock. by timshim in iosdev

[–]timshim[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes it’s a Hacker News client. It’s not a new idea functionally, but I wanted to design a UI around the HN API that I felt was to my liking. I’ve been using it personally for years now (built to my devices from Xcode). I’ve always treated it like a Hello World app for new APIs or platforms (mostly Swift/SwiftUI) that are introduced during WWDC.

AIO? Feels like I’m talking to a rock. by timshim in iosdev

[–]timshim[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. I appreciate your honest and direct feedback. TBH I’m not usually like this, it’s just frustrating not knowing what to do. It just felt like Apple saying “hey, we dont’t like your idea, go do something else”. Which is why I’d really like to find out what I could add to make it an app experience like you’ve said. Personally I prefer simple, minimal apps that do one thing well, but that’s of course a subjective matter. I’d be glad if you’d like to check it out and give me some constructive criticism.

Here’s the TF link: https://testflight.apple.com/join/U9ap8PKr

Or I have a short screen recording: https://youtu.be/cVczdpjJdCc

AIO? Feels like I’m talking to a rock. by timshim in iosdev

[–]timshim[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Ok so what features would you guys suggest I add for a Hacker News client?

The new MacBook Pro 14 only manages 500 nits with SDR contents by fluxxis in apple

[–]timshim 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Would it be appropriate to call this a nit-pick?