Gizmodo’s Developers Cubed series offers a behind the scenes look into Australia’s up and coming dev scene. This week: We chat with Steven Cavanagh from WotUEat about developing apps that help those with genuine problems, rather than just games.
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?
I’m Steven Cavanagh, co-founder of Sydney-based startup WotUEat.
Why do we know you? What have you created?
I’ve been in software development since VB1. I couldn’t get an internet account after I left uni because there were no public ISPs, and when I got my first job I was told the internet was only for uni students and that “businesses use BBS”. Since then I’ve written software for Comalco, AMP, the Fundraising industry, the Home Loan industry, Commercial Management, the Security Technology industry, the Automotive industry… monoliths to SaaSes and phone apps, the big end to the little end of town.
What platforms do you develop for?
Web, Android and iOS.
What are you working on right now?
People with food allergies and other sensitivities have a tough time. Nobody invites them over because it’s all too hard and awkward, their kids are socially excluded from birthday parties, and eating out can be a nightmare. WotUEat is a startup created to fight these problems. It learns your food preferences as you use it, and shares that information with your friends. We’re getting users to play with our minimum viable product, and we’re polishing it for release.
What do you think about the rise and rise of App Stores? How has it influenced your titles?
Being able to turn an idea into reality and get it out to the world with just a home PC and open source software is a concept that I never cease to be amazed by. I just wish there was more than one store per platform, so competition would drop the 30% they slug you for!
What’s your favourite app that you didn’t create?
Google Sky. Anything that can make my technology-averse father-in-law stand outside in the dark until the phone runs flat is incredibly powerful!
What phone do you use? Why?
I have both an iPhone 4 and a Galaxy S II Android. I prefer the Android simply because the larger screen size makes it more accessible for business apps.
What advice do you have for budding Aussie developers out there?
Resist the temptation to build what wows you. Instead, build what wows the client.