Daniel and Manton react to the Ulyssess text editor’s switch to subscription pricing, and debate whether users expect subscription software to require obvious ongoing developer investment. They also compare notes as they look toward finishing up on summer goals, and tacking all the “little things” that get in the way of completing a project.

Many thanks to our sponsors this week:

• Digimarc: The best mobile scanning solution today. The only solution for tomorrow.
• Linode: Cloud Hosting for You.

Links:

• Ulysses Switches to Subscription – Blog post from the developers announcing the change.
• TextExpander – Mac based keyboard expansion tool that went subscription last year.
• Sketch – Mac design app with an annual payment approach.
• Scrivener – Mac and iOS writing app that is committed to remaining subscription-free.
• Setapp – Mac subscription service providing access to many apps for a set price.
• An Upwards Trend – Numbers from Dan Counsell reflecting his experience as a developer participating in Setapp.
• Screens – Mac based screensharing app that is also part of Setapp.
• help.micro.blog – Manton’s Jekyll-based FAQ for Micro.blog.
• Micro.blog App – Now available in the iOS App Store.

Daniel and Manton are finally both at home again. Well, sort of. They compare notes about time spent working on JavaScript-based text editors, and the challenge of supporting two high level modes in an app. They talk about the new “Freelance” channel on the Core Intuition Slack, and reflect on the allure of and challenges of balancing freelance work with full-time indie ambitions.

Many thanks to our sponsor this week:

• Linode: Cloud Hosting for You.

Links:

• Markdown – Text-based HTML generator for the web.
• TinyMCE – Open-source, rich text HTML editor.
• Ulyssess – Popular Mac and iOS writing app.
• Editorial – iOS editing app that Manton uses.
• Scotty – Friend of the Mac and iOS community, and suggester of #freelance Slack channel.
• Core Intuition Slack – Join the conversation.
• WeWork – Manton’s coworking space.

Daniel catches up with Manton in Santa Fe, NM, on his way home from buying a used Volvo in Seattle. They chat about Micro.blog’s slowly expanding user base, the difficulty of working on the road, and options for crossposting from various services to and from Micro.blog.

Many thanks to our sponsor this week:

• TextExpander: The Productivity Multiplier.

Links:

• James Kim Family – Story of a family that was misrouted by navigation to a deadly fate.
• Micro.blog – Manton’s short-form blogging platform.
• Wilco – A rock band with a diverse fan base.
• Instagram API – Media endpoints for the API with notably lacking ability to upload new photos.
• Micro.blog photos from MarsEdit – Manton’s post about the enhancment of Micro.blog to support the MetaWeblog API.
• MarsEdit – Daniel’s blog-editing app for the Mac.
• Micropub – An open API for publishing blog content.
• OwnYourGram – Cross-posting service for content published to Instagram.
• Connecting with Instagram – Micro.blog help article about autoposting Instagram content.

Manton catches up with Daniel, who is traveling in Santa Cruz. They talk about Daniel’s determination to push through on MarsEdit release plans in the face of enviable releases from other developers. They discuss Apple’s new Machine Learning blog, and fantasize about other technical “journals” emerging from other groups. Finally, they acknowledge the imminent shutdown of the Core Intuition job board, and relate it to the more general difficulty of killing off apps and other projects.

Many thanks to our sponsors this week:

• Linode: Cloud Hosting for You.
• Digimarc: The best mobile scanning solution today. The only solution for tomorrow.

Links:

• Transmit 5 – Panic’s file transfer app for Mac.
• Machine Learning Journal – Apple’s new semi-academic blog about machine learning technology.
• Jekyll – Open source static site publishing tool.
• Swift Blog – Another public-facing technical blog from Apple.
• Develop Magazine – Article archives for Apple’s traditional MacOS developer magazine.
• Guides and Sample Code – The closest we could get to a direct link to Sample Code.
• Core Intuition Jobs Shutting Down – Manton writes about the rationale for shutting down the jobs board.
• Clarion – Daniel’s beloved music interval training app for Mac.
• Clipstart – Manton’s movie management app for Mac.
• Tweet Library – Manton’s Twitter client for iOS that shouldn’t be updated for 64-bit support.

Daniel and Manton reflect on the MarsEdit 4 beta, the bugs it’s revealed, and the impact on Daniel’s schedule urgency. They also react to Apple’s purported “sense of panic” about the iPhone 8: is it a true indicator of problems, or just the status quo for the company? Finally they respond to a listener question about the long-term viability of the Mac and other desktop platforms as the iPad continues to mature.

Many thanks to our sponsor this week:

• Linode: Cloud Hosting for You.

Links:

• MarsEdit 4 Public Beta – Daniel’s blog post announcing the preview release of MarsEdit 4.
• PowerPhotos – Mac app for organizing multiple Photos libraries.
• Sense of Panic – Fast Company article alleging problems with iPhone 8 development.
• iPhone Silly Season – John Gruber reacts to iPhone rumors.
• RailModeller – Model railroad layout design app for the Mac.
• Ferrite – Audio recording software for iOS.
• OmniGraffle 3 – iOS version of the venerable graphic design tool.

Manton talks to Daniel about his just-released MarsEdit 4 beta. They discuss the anxiety caused by sitting on unreleased features, and other rationale in favor of a public beta. Daniel talks about the anticipated income boost from the new version, and how it might confirm or deny viability of indie Mac development. Finally, they remember 10 years of iPhone, and laugh about the phones they used previously.

Many thanks to our sponsor this week:

• TextExpander: The Productivity Multiplier

Links:

• MarsEdit 4 Public Beta – Daniel’s blog post announcing the preview release of MarsEdit 4.
• Micro.blog – Manton’s microblogging service, currently in private beta.
• It Felt Impossible – Manton’s reminiscence of iPhone launch day, including links to several of his tweets on the day.
• Perfect Ten – John Gruber’s reflections on ten years of iPhone.
• Daniel’s First iPhone – Dan Moren’s picture of Daniel on August 10, 2007.
• Kyocera Oystr – Daniel’s go-to cell phone before making the leap to iPhone.
• Core Intuition Episode 1 – The first very episode, released on May 29, 2008
• One Device – New book chronicling the early history of iPhone development.
• Creating Magic – Interview event by the Computer History Museum with Scott Forstall and original iPhone team members.

Daniel and Manton react to Chris Lattner’s early departure from Tesla, and segue into speculation about his job prospects, and the challenges of effective technical interviews. They talk about the new frameworks announced at WWDC, and overcoming fear of incompetence when learning new things. Finally, they react to Uber CEO Travis Kalanick’s resignation, and think about what’s next for the company.

Many thanks to our sponsors this week:

• Linode: Cloud Hosting for You.
• Digimarc: The best mobile scanning solution today. The only solution for tomorrow.

Links:

• Tesla Isn’t a Good Fit – Chris Lattner announces his departure from Tesla.
• Core ML – Apple’s new machine learning framework.
• AR Kit – Apple’s new augmented reality framework.
• Magical Code – Daniel’s 2006 blog post about being undaunted by programming technologies.
• Featured Videos – The six videos that Apple evidently thinks most developers should watch.
• Uber’s Perpetual Second Chance – Manton’s blog post about Uber’s repeated failures to do right.
• Kalanick Resigns – TechCrunch article on Uber’s CEO stepping down.
• Bozoma St. John – Former Apple Music marketing lead who left for Uber.
• The Holder Report – Eric Holder’s assessment of the systemic problems at Uber and what to do about them.

Manton and Daniel compare notes on recent MacBook Pro repairs and the relative merit of purchasing AppleCare. They react to Tim Cook’s admissions that an Apple “car” project exists and is still underway. Manton looks on the bright side of “Planet of the Apps,” and Daniel looks on the dark side. Finally, they talk briefly about the controversy around an excerpt from “One Device,” by Brian Merchant.

Many thanks to our sponsor this week:

• Linode: Cloud Hosting for You.

Links:

• MacBook Pro Delamination – MacRumors story describing the screen defect that Apple will repair on some MacBook Pros.
• Mother of all AI Projects – Tim Cook’s telling interview about Apple’s car project.
• Planet of the Apps – Apple Music produced reality show about the business of app development.
• Everything on the Line – Jason Fried’s citation of Apple Music’s poorly chosen PR tweet about Planet of the Apps.
• Secret Origin Story – The Verge publishes an exclusive excerpt from Brian Merchant’s new book “The One Device.”
• Not True – Phil Schiller objects to characterization in Merchant’s book.
• A Colleague & Friend – Tony Fadell rejects Merchant’s representation of his quotation about Phil Schiller.
• Steve Jobs – Walter Isaacson’s widely criticized biography of Steve Jobs.
• Becoming Steve Jobs – Brent Schlender’s biography of Steve Jobs.
• Manton Reece – Manton’s been blogging even more than usual!

Daniel and Manton catch upon WWDC, and Manton’s ailing MacBook Pro. They talk about new hardware announcements and react to highlights from the Keynote. Manton laments Apple’s continued, slow progress with SiriKit, and Daniel is frustrated that HomePod is not a Wifi hub. Finally, they talk about iOS Drag and Drop and compare it with Apple’s traditional tendency to move slowly but surely into the future.

Many thanks to our sponsors this week:

• PDFpen: New Version 9.
• 1Password is a beautifully designed password manager that helps you stay safe online.

Links:

• WWDC Keynote 2017 – Watch the video replay of the momentous event.
• HomePod – Apple’s forthcoming all-in-one music speaker and personal assistant.
• SiriKit – Apple’s developer interface to Siri.
• iOS Drag and Drop – Coming in iOS 11.
• Macintosh Drag and Drop – Mid-1990’s article celebrating the long-awaited introduction of Drag and Drop on the Mac.
• iOS 11 – User-facing overview of features coming in iOS 11.

Manton and Daniel chat about WWDC, what they expect Apple to announce, and what we think of it. They discuss Federico Viticci’s iOS 11 concept video, and limitations of prototypes vs. iterative design. Finally, they discuss Dash’s return to the App Store, and question whether Apple even knows it’s back.

No sponsor this week! Please consider a sponsorship or ask your employer to do so!

Links:

• Microblogging Meetup – Sign-up for for Manton’s WWDC week meetup.
• iOS 11 iPad Wishes – Concept from Macstories’s Federico Viticci and Sam Beckett.
• Back on the App Store – Announcement from Kapeli about the return of Dash to the iOS App Store.