Diary of a Serial App Developer

Diary of a Serial App Developer is an autobiographical account of Mark Carlotto’s journey as an independent iPhone app developer. Dr. Carlotto, an aerospace engineer with over 40 years of experience in space-related applications, began developing apps in 2008 after purchasing an iPhone. He was inspired by the device's potential as a portable computer with sensors like GPS, a camera, and a microphone. Over ten years, he created over 100 apps, ranging from music tools to mapping and augmented reality applications.

The book details his creative process, challenges, and evolution as a developer. He shares insights into app development, including coding in Objective-C, using Apple's Xcode, and navigating the App Store's approval process. He highlights the addictive nature of app creation, the joy of innovation, and the frustrations of maintaining apps amid rapid technological changes. His apps include tools for music synthesis, mapping, augmented reality, underwater imaging, and even archaeological research.

He reflects on the broader impact of app development on his personal and professional life, emphasizing the importance of customer feedback and continuous improvement. Despite the challenges of obsolescence and competition, he values the creative and technical growth he experienced.

The book concludes with his decision to scale back app development due to the increasing demands of updates and the shift to Apple's Swift programming language. He contemplates exploring web apps and other platforms but remains uncertain about future endeavors.

In addition to app development, Dr. Carlotto explores topics like extraterrestrial artifacts, ancient civilizations, and unidentified anomalous phenomena, challenging conventional scientific paradigms. The book serves as both a technical memoir and a reflection on creativity, innovation, and perseverance.