What are 10 Facts About You?

Hey,

Thank you for joining the AI Code Brief. I help developers make iOS/macOS apps with Codex.

Previously, I worked at Apple, Microsoft, GoPro.

. . . Let me tell you a story about working at Apple . . .

Meeting Steve Jobs

When I worked at Apple, I worked in IL2 (Infinite Loop 2) and saw Steve Jobs almost daily. I was in the Graphics & Imaging Group and every day at lunch he was sitting outside with Jony Ives on the park bench. The design team and iPhone team was based out of IL2 in 2008, so they both were in my building regularly.

One day, I got to ask Steve Jobs a question. I asked:

What do you think he said?

I'll share the details in tomorrows email . . .

Don't Miss My Emails

Make sure you move my emails from Promotions to your Inbox, so that you don't miss out on my next email. (Or you can add me as a contact in your email list: [email protected])

Before my next email, let me introduce myself with 10 facts about me:

Here are 10 Facts About Me:

Reply back with 10 Facts about you.

1. Where are you from?

I live in Rochester, NY and I love having the four seasons. I run in any weather and play ultimate frisbee year round (including in the snow).

2. Why do you want to make apps? (Why now?)

Since I worked at Apple in 2008, when the iPhone 3G came out, I have wanted to make apps. I dreamed about selling software as a kid, but it was hard to get started with coding. I failed 3x because the programming books were over my head. It wasn't until the summer before 9th grade that I actually could understand code.

3. What do you do for work? (Or what are you studying in school?)

I work as a Senior Software Engineer on iPhone apps. Previously, I worked at GoPro on the GoPro Quik app, Lambda School (as an iOS Instructor), RIT as an Adjunct Professor, Apple, and various iOS and macOS contracts.

4. What app idea do you want to build? (Who is the one person who would use it? You or someone else?)

I have a bunch of app ideas. One that I am passionate about is related to pour-over coffee. I'm a coffee snob ... but I'll drink any coffee. I have a pour-over coffee recipe app for Hario V60 (and Chemex) called Brew Coffee app. I use it daily, along with my Mac app, Super Easy Timer.

5. What has been your biggest challenge while learning or using SwiftUI so far?

The SwiftUI language keeps on changing and API discovery can be hard (all the overloads sometimes confuse me). Old things get deprecated, and it takes time to learn new iOS topics.

6. How do you balance your passion for app development with other aspects of life or work?

I go through seasons where I double down on coding and learning new things. And sometimes life takes over with a growing family. We have a 2-year old daughter.

7. What are your short-term goals for your SwiftUI projects (e.g., learning new features, launching an MVP, etc.)?

I want to launch Brew Coffee with a subscription service in 2026. I want to have some educational coffee content in the app and an email list I have built with 4,500+ people on it.

I've launched 3 successful kickstarters in the past (for App Development) and I want to leverage that knowledge to Kickstart Brew Coffee.

8. Where do you hope to see yourself in a year?

I want to make consistent progres on my apps. I think 2026 is the year of apps and agents.

9. When you're not coding, what do you like to do for fun or to recharge?

I love running. I am speed training to improve my 5K time and so that I increase my stamina in Ultimate Frisbee. Beyond frisbee, I take my daughter, Thea, on runs, cross country skiing, and bike rides.

10. What resources (e.g., tutorials, books, YouTube channels) have helped you most?

WWDC videos, Antoine at SwiftLee, and videos from Sean Allen. Even as an experienced developer, I find myself learning new things from every video I watch. ChatGPT is also handy at providing short code samples or explaining hard topics.

I do regular deep dives into new APIs using my iPad at night. When I'm researching I'll watch every WWDC videos on the topic (taking screenshots and notes as I go). I'll read StackOverflow posts, blogs, and tutorials when I need ideas for best practices.

Thanks for reading about me.

What are 10 facts about you? Copy and paste these questions and hit reply.

1. Where are you from?
2. Why do you want to make iOS/macOS apps? (Why now?)
3. What do you do for work? (Or what are you studying in school?)
4. What app idea do you want to build? (Who is the one person who would use it? You or someone else?)
5. What has been your biggest challenge while learning?
6. How do you balance your passion for app development with other aspects of life or work?
7. What are your short-term goals for your app projects (e.g., learning new features, launching an MVP, etc.)?
8. Where do you hope to see yourself in a year?
9. When you're not coding, what do you like to do for fun or to recharge?
10. What resources (e.g., tutorials, books, YouTube channels) have helped you most?

I'm excited to learn more about you and how we can work on your goals with app development in 2026.

Talk soon,
Paul Solt
[email protected]