Printoid for OctoPrint

Printoid for…iOS?

The community of Printoid users is growing fastly. And I receive in my emails these recuring questions everyday:

Is there a version of Printoid for iOS?

Is the development of the iOS version on your planning?

Can you please report me the progress on the iOS version?

Android VS iOS… an eternal struggle

Thank you for asking me.In fact, I enjoy receiving that kind of messages, because it’s not within the brackets of the support, bug report and cie (and finally, it’s not additional work for me, haha!). Also, it proves the craze around the app, and that’s amazing for me. Of course, if I was able to give you an iOS version right now…it would be with a great pleasure!

The developer answers you

At the risk of disappointing you guys, are my answers to your questions.

The knowledges

I work as a senior Android developer since more than 5 years. Before that, I was specialized in the customization of Android devices (exploits, root, bootloader unlocking, etc.). Moreover, today, I’m specialized in the development of applications with critical needs on Android. That means I need to understand in depth how Android works, and how the applications work together in this system.

I use Android devices everyday. My phones, my tablets, my car system, and since Android 1.5.

So… I don’t have the sufficient knowledge for the moment to develop an app for iOS, morevore I don’t know at all how an iPhone works because…I never had an iPhone on my hands (shame on me!)

The time

Yes, I could learn how to develop an app for iOS. That’s an important part of my job: always learn new techniques of development.

But, as a lot of you always know: Printoid is not my full time job. That “just” a project I’ve started 1 year and a half ago for the makers, the OctoPrint users, and at the begining…for myself 😉

From Monday to Friday, I work in Paris for a french company. So, I can only work on Printoid on my free time. Sometimes, 2 ou 3 hours after my day of work. Sometimes on Saturday and Sunday. That’s a passion, a pleasure. But very time-consuming 😉 I also want to enjoy my family, my girl-friend, my friends, my home…

As the only developer on Printoid, is it possible to continue this development, and start the development of the iOS version in parallel?

The money

Of course yes, it is probably possible. But when I’ve started the development of Printoid, I didn’t expect to spent as much of my free time in this project.

The best way for me to provide you an iOS version is to delegate the development to another developer, or to an external company.

That’s what I’ve done: since several months, a freelance developer has been mandated to develop Printoid for iOS. But, I’m sorry to say that, today, this development is in stand-by. Because, the development of an application is very expensive, I don’t have enough money to continue.

You can see for yourself how much does it cost to make an app on this website. Yes, that’s just an estimation of the price, but a pretty good estimation:

• Printoid PRO and PREMIUM, both paid apps on Google Play
• The funding campain on Patreon
• The generous one-time donations
• AdWords integration on this website

ANDROID RULES THE WORLD !!!

Just trolling, don’t worry 😉

The solutions

Of course, I think about different solutions to produce this iOS version.

1/ Continue with the actual situation

Nop, that’s not a solution. The Patreon campain is not a good way to fund something for the moment (only ~34$ per months… but, thank you so much to the patreons who are helping me to continue my work, I really (really) appreciate your help), and the one-time donations is not a good solution too.

2/ Save money

3/ Raising the funds with a crowdfunding campain

5/ A monthly subscription to use Printoid

An important survey