Innovative Mobile Apps to Improve Everyday Life

Over the past three years, I have explored the world of Apple app creation, releasing three products, each for different reasons matching my current interests. During the pandemic, I transitioned from using a Linux-based laptop to an M1 MacBook Air. I knew I wanted to develop apps for a platform that piqued my interest. I could not do that with Linux.

I started with no knowledge of Swift/SwiftUI, XCode, or the Apple Developer Program, as I primarily work in Python and Java for my full-time job. I wanted to learn a new programming language and understand the broader aspects of productization. While my responsibilities in my 9 to 5 job have grown since I started this journey, I started this process as I wanted to understand the broader aspects of managing a project, and more importantly bring something from an idea to an implementable product.

Meal37

This journey starts with the creation of Meal37. I typically meal plan before grocery shopping and found myself using a templated note in the Apple Notes app. The market had many options focused on recipe imports or calorie counting, so I created Meal37 as a simple place to coordinate meals and from that create a grocery list.

Meal37 screenshot

This project taught me much of what I needed to know about iOS app development. I learned Swift and SwiftUI, App Store Connect, Core Data objects, Google AdMob integration, and new technologies like Cocoapods, XCode, Adobe Illustrator, and Homebrew. The app has performed well in sales and user count, and I continue to use it for my meal planning. Through this dogfooding process, I know the app will continue to grow from its humble beginnings.

TextTime

After moving cross-country, I took a break from app development, but this hiatus ended with the advent of Apple Vision and VisionOS. I wanted to create a cross-platform product for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, and visionOS. Meal37’s architecture didn’t support native porting across all Apple OS, so I developed TextTime, a customizable word clock inspired by my use of the Pebble Watch (RIP).

TextTime screenshot

This project helped me understand supporting different operating systems, with a focus on AppleTV and VisionOS, which have fewer app options.

Today I Am

Most recently, I experimented with SEO, Cloudflare DNS, HealthKit, widgets, subscription-based monetization, and SwiftData. I also explored using LLMs to create a massive catalog of written content based on set input. I used the LLM to specifically generate positive daily affirmations based on an everyday object.

I aimed to create an app that adds a positive outlook to someone’s day. Many people appreciate daily positive affirmations, and I have personally benefited from them. It is also entertaining to be called an inanimate object for those who like a label here and there. Combining these elements, I developed Today I Am - Daily Persona.

Today I Am screenshot

The app, currently in its launch phase with promising early numbers, is designed to be opened at the start of each day, assigning users a unique persona. These are everyday items from a chair to a rain cloud. Each persona comes with a coordinated affirmation, merging a new identity with a positive outlook. The app isn’t meant to capture you for hours but to quickly frame a positive outlook and possibly give you a chuckle.

Looking Ahead

This learning process has been incredibly rewarding, and I have many new app ideas I am already starting to implement. iOS 18 looks promising with Apple Intelligence, and I hope to incorporate these advancements into my next app, as well as backport them where possible. The journey of app development is ongoing, and I am excited to see where it leads next.

If you get the chance, please download my applications! They have been a joy to create in my spare time, and I hope you find them as enjoyable to use as I did to develop them. I am happy to talk to anyone interested in discussing these projects. Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

—Dan