UIBuzz - Software and game development

Hey everyone! In this episode, I'm sharing my journey of converting my iOS apps to Android using AI assistance—and honestly, I didn't expect it to work this well.

What I Covered:

I've been getting constant requests to bring my Job Finder Tracker and Sub Radar apps to Android, but learning Kotlin from scratch wasn't realistic with my limited time outside the day job. So I decided to try a different approach: using Claude Code AI to help convert my existing iOS apps.

The Process:

Working with Claude Code and an Android developer friend, I fed the AI my handcrafted iOS source code and asked it to analyze the architecture, technologies, and features. It came back with a solid five-phase plan:

1. Phase 1: Build data structures and database (replacing Core Data with Room)
2. Phase 2: Create UI with basic CRUD operations
3. Phase 3: Add advanced features like calendar and local notifications
4. Phase 4: Set up syncing capabilities
5. Phase 5: Testing and refined features like PDF importing

The Results:

In less than 12 hours of work time, I went from nothing to a fully functional Android app. About 90% of the conversion was handled by AI, with manual tweaking needed for specific features like customizable push notifications. The app now runs beautifully, even on my ancient test tablet.

Key Takeaway:

AI alone wouldn't have gotten this right, but by feeding it a well-architected project I'd built by hand, it got me most of the way there. This approach lets me learn Android development while getting apps to market quickly.

Moving forward, I'll be building all new apps for both platforms from the start, keeping me platform-independent and flexible for whatever trends come next.

Check out Job Finder Tracker at https://www.PeterWitham.com/jft

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In this episode, I share my thoughts on the 2025 Game Awards, celebrating indie developers and questioning the hype around AAA game trailers with distant release dates. I discuss the rising costs of games, shifting audiences, and why smaller, more creative titles are winning my attention. 

Please tune in for my honest take on where the gaming industry is headed!

Game Development Challenges and Innovations

I've been busy with my game project, Project Hack, making significant UI changes and integrating new features like a leaderboard. Balancing gameplay is a major challenge, but I've devised strategies to keep it fair. Looking forward to sharing more progress and insights with fellow developers. Follow for more updates on my game and app projects!

Mentioned in this episode
Project Hack
Sub Radar subscription tracking app

Contact me
peterwitham.com/contact

In this episode, I share my journey of using AI tools like Claude Code and Bezi to solve real-world Unity game development problems—cloud saves, player management, and handling large numbers. I discuss what worked, what didn’t, and why specialized AI tools can make a significant difference. If you’re a game dev hitting roadblocks, check this out and let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Video version
https://youtu.be/2QEJyDjMzb4

In this UIBuzz episode, I discuss using Cursor, an AI-enhanced IDE based on Visual Studio Code, to build a React app and then a SwiftUI app. Despite some issues, Cursor efficiently handled tasks, proving to be a valuable tool for developers.

Reach out to me at PeterWitham.com

Here are some thoughts on using prebuilt assets to build your games and apps. Personally, I think it's fine to use them, but I want to offer both sides for consideration.

• (00:00) - Introduction

Contact
https://peterwitham.com/contact

In this episode, I discuss Warframe, an amazing free-to-play game. I highlight its fair monetization, cross-platform play, and community engagement, contrasting it with the failures of other AAA studios. I encourage listeners to try Warframe and support its developers if they enjoy it.

Try Warframe at warframe.com

Reach out to me at www.peterwitham.com/contact

In this episode of the UIBuzz podcast, I return after a month's break to discuss my recent projects and a concerning trend in the gaming industry.

Including an update to my "Endless Hurdles" game timed with the Olympics, learning Blender for 3D graphics, and developing a new macOS project management app.

I also delve into Bungie's layoffs, scrutinizing management's decisions and their broader implications for the gaming industry. I share my frustration over the industry's treatment of employees and encourage a shift towards valuing and nurturing talent.

Listeners can join the conversation with me on X @UIBuzz and find more details about my projects on PeterWitham.com and my live streams on twitch.tv/compileddev.

I talk about my experiences learning Blender in public to create some 3D assets for my games. Then I discuss testing on multiple devices to get a real feel for performance problems with your apps and games.

Mentioned in this episode
My Godot Endless Runner video course
Joey Carlino's excellent Blender modeling video

In this episode of the UIBuzz podcast, I delve into the important topic of valuing your time. I discuss why it's essential to recognize the worth of your time and the fine line between offering services for free and charging a monetary value for your efforts.

I give practical advice on handling changing circumstances, especially when transitioning from offering free to paid services, and stress the importance of not feeling guilty about charging for your work.

I encourage listeners to reflect on what their time is worth and to find a balance that works for them.

I emphasize the need not to feel bad about charging for your services if your situation changes and you can no longer offer them for free.

Thank you for tuning in! If you have opinions on this topic, contact me at PeterWitham.com/contact.

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