Gizmodo’s Developers Cubed series offers a behind the scenes look into Australia’s up and coming dev scene. This week: We chat with Jason Oakley about podcasts, bilbies, opportunities and persistence.
Developers! Developers! Developers!
It’s not just Steve Ballmer’s favourite sweat-laden catchcry! If you’d like to be featured in Developers Cubed, shoot a note to alex.kidman at alluremedia.com.au. I’d love to hear from you.
Who are you and where do you work?
Jason Oakley. I have a day job but I mostly enjoy developing iPhone and Android apps with the Ansca Corona SDK publishing as Blue Bilby. ()
Why do we know you? What have you created?
So far, I’ve created an app called “TW Podcast”. It serves to keep people updated with the Tech Webcast podcast I’m a co-host of. Tech Webcast is recorded Saturdays and is available in iTunes as audio and on the TiVo, YouTube and Blip.Tv.
What platforms do you develop for?
iOS and Android at the moment.
What are you working on right now?
I am currently working on a new game based on a prototype I created for the Techority 48 hour challenge.
What do you think about the rise and rise of App Stores? How has it influenced your titles?
I think it’s strange having multiple Android stores, but people will get exclusive deals through the various stores. The Apple App Store is inherently more secure and better vetted for issues in applications. I guess the more stores, the more opportunity for sales.
What’s your favourite app that you didn’t create?
My favourite app which I use daily is Echofon Pro for Twitter updates. It’s very easy to use and works well.
What phone do you use? Why?
iPhone 4S. Strangely enough I was originally concerned about the limitations of the iPhone, but after careful consideration it is very good at what it does and covers all the things I need in a Smartphone. I also have an iPad 2 for web browsing and applications when at home. Occasionally, I tether the iPad to the iPhone to use 3G when the internet is not readily available.
What advice do you have for budding Aussie developers out there?
There may be many many apps in the app stores, but just remember that Angry Birds was Rovio’s 52nd game and Doodle Jump was Lima Sky’s 12th. Nobody had really heard of either company before they hit the big time and in fact, Rovio was close to bankruptcy before Angry Birds. I guess the lesson to learn is: Never give up. The Ansca Corona SDK makes it very easy for creating applications on multiple platforms and without it I’d never have created my first application.