Welcome back to our Meet the Devs segment! In this piece we take a little time to get to know the people who really make Android what it is today and that is the app developers. In this week’s developer interview, we are talking to Kyle Denney.
Name: Kyle Denney
Developer Name: KDenney
Country: USA
Website: N/A
Google + Profile/Page: N/A
How many people on your team? 1
Apps
Tell us about your company
I am a developer who is passionate about coding. I started coding Android apps about a month ago and believe my app offers great features that other shopping apps do not. It is more than just a hobby for me, however, this is something I do consistently. I am not afraid to try new things and tackle tough problems. I would love to get my name out there and see what new opportunities approach my horizon.
What level of experience do you have with coding and development?
I have been developing for about 4 years now. I was laid off during the recession and had starting coding small Visual Basic applications for Rolls-Royce and the day I was laid off I told my then supervisor that I was going to go back to school and get my degree. I did that and have never looked back. I have done everything from VB.Net and C# Windows forms apps and ASP.Net websites to PHP and MySQL sites and services. Android is something I wanted to see if I could learn how to do in the same way I taught myself database and app development on other platforms. Here I am years later and not afraid of a challenge.
What languages do you know? How and where did you learn them?
I taught myself Visual Basic for Applications using Microsoft Excel to track paperwork for Rolls-Royce. I then quickly picked up VB.Net and have used most web based languages such as HTML5, Javascript, CSS2.1/3, JQuery, Bootstrap, PHP and many database’s including MySQL, SQL Server 2005-2012 and Oracle. I learned the .Net languages in school primarily and some of the web based tools like Javascript and HTML5 but I have been doing web-development for a few years now professionally. I also created a website called Helptual where I sell a remote servicing tool written in VB.Net and the site is in PHP and MySQL. I created everything from the ground up and the same is true for this Java/XML based app called Staple List.
What level of experience do you have with design?
I took some design classes in school and have used PhotoShop, GIMP and other high-level programs.
What apps have you made?
I have created Staple List in Android Java/XML and my own company called Helptual which is written VB.Net.
How do you monetize your apps?
Currently my Android app is available for purchase at .99 cents. I would like to eventually add ads to the program if needed.
Do you consider yourself successful?
I would consider myself striving to be successful. I am willing to learn, willing to grow and willing to try new things. I have had ups and downs trying new things but I have learned great things over the last several years. I will not give up when faced with hard problems with tough solutions.
How difficult is it to make money as a developer?
Extremely difficult. Most of the time we see people via the news that land in sweet spots but those people often are in the right place at the right time with the right idea – they are not a dime a dozen. Most of us are indie based just trying to pay the bills and enjoy it while doing so.
What can Android do to improve?
I think Android has to improve documentation and examples on the development side – with videos and things along those lines. Along the lines of the OS itself I would say UI design is needed to ensure smoothness and cleanness. In today’s world users want an app that looks great and a piece of tech that works well as much as they want something that looks and feels great.
Why did you choose Android? Do you develop for other platforms? What are the differences between them?
I chose Android because it is prolific in terms of phone development. I knew a little Java from school but not to this level and thought to myself I want to learn how phone development works so I took a month and learned it and in learning it came Staple List. My wife and I need a way to allow me to get items on the go with ease so I developed the app to sustain that need. I could have developed for Microsoft’s phone platform but chose Android because it was a new medium for me and I like learning new things.
What are your thoughts on iOS and Windows 8?
I think iOS is smooth in terms of use but too rigid on what they don’t allow you to do. Windows 8 is great for Power Users wanting the benefits of Windows 7 with some improvements. I have that OS on my main desktop PC and enjoy using it. I think Microsoft, like years ago, is ahead of time – sometimes to its detriment. They know the direction of the world but their execution is lacking. Thats where they currently are.
What do you think of the Android design guidelines?
I think they are easy to follow and therefore it is easy for someone like myself to jump right in and get an app out the door quickly which is great.
What are your favorite apps?
I enjoy apps that look great. Flipboard is a great app that is easy to use. I also like the Bible by Tecarta app. It is an interesting reading app that has features for searching and ease of use that many readers could use to enhance search-ability.
What has been your experience been like working with Google?
So far so good. They are easy to comply with.
What does the future of development look like?
I think eventually the medium won’t matter. I think most companies are gong to go the way Microsoft tried and is struggling which is developing one language and one structure so that anyone can develop anything on any tech medium with ease of use. So you won’t have to know a ton of information ahead of time in terms of different languages and tech.
What tips do you have for aspiring developers?
Keep trying. I have tried and failed and tried and failed but my failures have helped me network and have helped me learn new tech and new languages. I have and will continue to have struggles. Openly acknowledge those struggles and realize they will come. Embrace them and realize that you can gain something even from the tough times if you keep your eyes open and ears to the ground. Anything can become an opportunity.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I have been working very hard over the years trying to learn new things. I want to impact someone and help someone. It is my desire to succeed at what I do and I am willing to put in the hard work if someone is willing to invest in me.
We want to thank Kyle for chatting with us in this week’s developer interview! If you’re a developer and this looks like something you’d like to do, check out our Meet the Devs form! We look forward to hearing from you.
from Android Authority http://ift.tt/1sIi5Dh
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