News
Screaming At Your iPhone Is A Thing Now
An interesting look at how fads happen and everybody scrambles to make a copycat app. I had no idea this type of game was a thing. Maybe that crazy app idea you've had will be the next fad...
In totality, the apps made this year have only seen $543k in revenues and 10.7M downloads
Sponsored
New Book: RxSwift - Reactive Programming with Swift
The popularity of reactive programming continues to grow on an ever-increasing number of platforms and languages. In "RxSwift: Reactive Programming with Swift", you’ll learn how to use RxSwift to create complex reactive applications on iOS, and how to easily solve common application design issues as well. By the end of the book, you’ll be able to exercise full control over the RxSwift library and leverage the full power of reactive programming in your apps!
The Swift Algorithms Book (Now Shipping Internationally!)
Written for students and professionals, the 2nd edition of Swift Algorithms & Data Structures blends modern code, illustrations and computer science to help you pass the interview or build your next app. Revised and updated for Swift 3.0, use coupon code “SWIFTLY” at checkout to receive a 30% discount!
App Success
Why You Have To Continue To Update Your Apps
I have two apps that are pretty popular, but I hadn't updated either in at least a year. I just updated one a couple weeks ago. I can say it was a struggle just for some minor changes. If you have apps that are worth continuing, you have to budget some time to keep them updated. The technical debt of not updating will grow your procrastination muscles exponentially!
A neglected app ... will also create a lot of technical debt that only becomes harder to fix as time passes.
Tips
Boost Smooth Scrolling with iOS 10 Pre-Fetching API
This is a good explanation of why choppy scrolling still happens in iOS and what Apple has introduced recently to help.
Boost Smooth Scrolling with iOS 10 Pre-Fetching API by Andrea Prearo
Swift
A Guide To Converting Your App From Obj-C To Swift
Ibrahim outlines the steps he took to fully convert an Objective-C app to Swift by using a Swift/Obj-C converter and cleaning up the mess that was the result. I use the word mess in a nice way as using a converter will usually cut down on the time it takes to convert an app in the long run. I'm up against this dilemma with one of my apps. I think I am going to manually convert it to Swift to help my Swift learning process. If I'm going to maintain it for years, I want it to be in Swift. :)
How to Convert a full ObjectiveC app to Swift by Ibrahim Ulukaya
Design
Why It's So Important To Focus On The Bottom Nav Bar
Making our app easy to use can be anything but easy. One way to make it easier on yourself is by focusing as much navigation as you can on the bottom half of the screen. This post from Cuberto shows just how important it is along with some great tips and visual examples.
a whopping 49% of smartphone users rely on one hand, 36% take the cradled approach, and 15% use both hands
Marketing
Have You Started Replying To Reviews Yet?
If you have put off replying to reviews, it's time to take a look at them. Here's a detailed guide on where to respond along with some excellent tips on how to not look like a whiny know-it-all developer.
How to Reply on User Reviews in iTunes Connect by Silke Glauninger
Tutorials
Using SceneKit To Build A Game Like Stack
3D games with simple graphics and addictive play are very popular right now. Did you know you can build a game like this natively with SceneKit? Follow this great tutorial to create your own 3D game.
Hats off to Brody, who's only 17, for putting together such nice tutorial.
Using Machine Learning To Build A Gas Pump Scanning App
After taking a class on machine learning, Kevin wanted to apply this knowledge in a real world development project. He decided to build an iOS app with OpenCV and Python that scanned the physical gas pump display and converted it to digits. This tutorial will show you how he did it. This is an excellent and practical real world example of applying what you have learned to build something useful.
Building a Gas Pump Scanner with OpenCV/Python/iOS by Kevin Kazmierczak
Beginners
Save Yourself Some Xcode Time By Mastering These Tips
Every developer has to look for shortcuts. Shortcuts leave you more time to develop, rather than taking the long route (such as the mouse!) for many Xcode tasks. Seasoned Xcoders will know most of these tips, but I bet even they will have forgotten one or two. Learn these now and save yourself more time than you could imagine over your career.
17 Xcode Tips and Tricks That Every iOS Developer Should Know by Elyse Turner
Welcome! Busy week for me as Thursday came way too fast. The iOS news has been strong lately and this week was no different. I even had two big new Patreon supporters! You'll hear more about them in the coming weeks. On to the links! - @cdbeshore
PS: A special thank you to everyone who shared the newsletter last week. I now have a few more new subscribers.
chris beshore