Ben Dodson

Freelance app and game developer (iOS | tvOS | watchOS | macOS) • Social Distancing since 1985

[Ben Dodson @bendodson]

Huge milestone for my indie dev newsletter today; over 1,000 subscribers 🥳

https://t.co/1YzJi8xLBC

[Ben Dodson @bendodson]

Missed the launch date by a week but I've updated my Apple TV artwork finder to use the new 2:3 aspect ratio from iOS 26. Oh, and added support for loads of extra streaming services like BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, and Disney Plus. And a new shortcut too! https://t.co/on7KtEzCWU

[Ben Dodson @bendodson]

@voidhistorian Now updated for the newer iOS 26 style: https://t.co/on7KtEzCWU

[Ben Dodson @bendodson]

@lukeredpath It’s literally a Christmas tradition at this point

[Ben Dodson @bendodson]

@lukeredpath It’s the most wonderful time of the year again!

[Ben Dodson @bendodson]

@ppeelen Just wanted to say thank you for the tutorial on improving a SwiftUI macOS settings screen. Has made a huge improvement to something I'm working on with just a few lines of code!

[Ben Dodson @bendodson]

@Rick_Lane Awww that’s precious.

[Ben Dodson @bendodson]

@uhnjj64515 That’s because they’re Amazon Prime shows and not available to stream or purchase in the Apple TV app. Their artwork can show up in there but it’s on Amazon’s servers which my tools can’t search.

[Ben Dodson @bendodson]

Currently working on an Apple TV app and was doing some tests with the older trackpad Siri Remote. Put it down next to the 13" iPad Pro I got yesterday and noticed that the iPad is thinner 🤯

[Ben Dodson @bendodson]

@ABeeWords Apparently my copy is arriving tomorrow - can’t wait!

[Ben Dodson @bendodson]

@pikapies When I was playing MTG regularly I’d have a ring binder for each set with 3x3 sleeved pages that I’d put up to 3 copies of a card in each slot. Anything beyond that would go in the set’s bundle box (lands, tokens, extras beyond 3 copies).

[Ben Dodson @bendodson]

A new update for my Return to Dark Tower Assistant app (for the delightful board game by @RestorationGame) is out now. It adds a new "Custom Advantages" section to the Advantages Calculator (useful for the Devious Swindler) and fixes some mistyped rules https://t.co/uLdfu91eU6

[Ben Dodson @bendodson]

@ABeeWords Big Frank-N-Furter energy https://t.co/wRjU4zwjkY

[Ben Dodson @bendodson]

I'm currently working on integrating these voices into my Chaise Longue to 5K app so soon you'll be able to have your own digital voice telling you when to walk and run.

[Ben Dodson @bendodson]

Do you remember Personal Voice, the accessibility feature in iOS 17 that lets you create an AI recreation of your voice?

1. It works really rather well!
2. Apps can use that voice for text to speech 😲

Here's an article I've just written all about it:

https://t.co/MVqIJECVRC

[Ben Dodson @bendodson]

@SamuelWRoberts Sounds like there's ups and downs.

[Ben Dodson @bendodson]

My most popular apps have 50% off for #IndieAppSales (12th-13th March)

https://t.co/bWCe9oPlcL

https://t.co/i6Ytnf77ah

https://t.co/fqKH682JpR

All of them are single purchase downloads with no subscriptions or ads. One purchase unlocks on all platforms!

[Ben Dodson @bendodson]

One of the more interesting stats to come out of my Apple Music 2023 Replay - @itspaperidol definitely needs more listeners!

[Ben Dodson @bendodson]

Chaise Longue to 5K (50% off)
https://t.co/Oy13remnB3

Use other apps whilst monitoring your Couch-to-5K run with exclusive Picture-in-Picture support. Perfect for a treadmill in front of an Apple TV.

#CyberMonday

[Ben Dodson @bendodson]

I haven’t been promoting my apps but just by virtue of being in the #IndieAppSales I’ve seen a big upswing in sales. Thanks @Matt1Corey!

My popular apps are still on sale for #CyberMonday so pick them up today if you want 50% off…

https://t.co/c2xBq1m0xN

[Ben Dodson @bendodson]

Browser Note (50% off)
https://t.co/A5Gjcc3vHL

A simple way to add a pause to your browsing with dismissable reminders or notes blocking you from certain sites (i.e. social media).

#CyberMonday