Empower Apps

Hosted by Leo Dion, Principal CEO and Swift Developer at BrightDigit

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206

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Jun 2026

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About the show

An exploration of Apple business news and technology. We talk about how businesses can use new technology to empower their business and employees, from Leo Dion, founder of BrightDigit.

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June 9, 2026Episode 20640 min

Platforms State of the Union 2026 with Peter Witham

Peter Witham joins us to talk about today's Platforms State of the Union. Is Apple Intelligence here? Is Liquid Glass here? Where's John Ternus? GuestPeter Witham - Developer, Podcaster, StreamerCompileSwift PodcastPeter Witham | LinkedInPeter Witham - YouTubeCompileDev - TwitchPeter Witham (@compileswift) • Instagram photos and videosCompileSwift | FacebookPeter Witham (@Compileswift@iosdev.space) - C.IMPeter Witham - Compileswift.com - TwitterRelated EpisodeWho's Wendy with Joannis OrlandosActually Really UsefulLive from CommunityKit WWDC 2025 with Matt Massicottev26.0 with Peter WithamFull Stack Things with Werner Jainek and Vojtěch RylkoSOTU 2024 with Peter WithamWWDC Notes with Cihat GündüzChaptersWatchClick here to watch a video of this episode. TranscriptSupport the Show ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ Thanks to our supporters: Thanks to our monthly supporters Steven Lipton Welcome new supporters: Social MediaLinkedIn - @leogdionGitHub - @brightdigitGitHub - @leogdionMastodon - @leogdion@c.imYouTube - @brightdigitX - @leogdionX - @brightdigitCreditsMusic from https://filmmusic.io "Blippy Trance" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

June 5, 2026Episode 20547 min

Who's Wendy with Joannis Orlandos

Joannis Orlandos stops by to chat about WendyOS, an operating system for bringing Swift and AI to robots, drones, and edge devices. We get into running Swift on NVIDIA Jetson and Raspberry Pi hardware, the future of cross-platform Swift across Android, Windows, and Wasm, and somehow end up arguing about whether you should let LLMs format your code at all.GuestJoannis OrlandosJoannis Orlandos (@joannis@fosstodon.org) - MastodonJoannis (Joannis Orlandos)Joannis Orlandos | LinkedInJoannis Orlandos (@joanniso.bsky.social) • BlueskyWendyOS — The open-source OS for Physical AIRelated LinksWendy Labs Inc. — GitHubWendyOS DocumentationSwift on Server — Joannis OrlandosHummingbird — Lightweight Swift web frameworkMLX — Apple's array framework for machine learningSwift Android Working Group — Swift ForumsBuild and Packaging Workgroup — Swift.orgSwift EvolutionBringing Swift to Android — GoodnotesRelated EpisodesSwift Server Workgroup with Joannis OrlandosSwift on Android with Marc Prud'hommeauxSwift, Server Side, Serverless with Sébastien StormacqChapters(00:00) - What Is WendyOS (05:15) - Swift, Hardware & Getting Started (16:18) - Swift Everywhere: Multi-Platform Future (21:24) - Swift on Windows, SQL Server & WWDC Preview (30:19) - AI, Skill Files & LLM Workflows (42:30) - Swift 6.4 & Wrap-Up WatchClick here to watch a video of this episode. TranscriptClick here to view the episode transcript. Support the Show ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ Thanks to our supporters: Thanks to our monthly supporters Steven Lipton Welcome new supporters: Social MediaLinkedIn - @leogdionGitHub - @brightdigitGitHub - @leogdionMastodon - @leogdion@c.imYouTube - @brightdigitX - @leogdionX - @brightdigitCreditsMusic from https://filmmusic.io "Blippy Trance" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

June 3, 2026Episode 20416 min

Actually Really Useful

After ten months away, Leo's back. He covers Swift Craft 2026, the rest of his speaking year (Beer City Code, iOSDevUK), and his honest take on AI dev tooling. Plus updates on MistKit, SyntaxKit, swift-build, MonthBar, and a new watchOS app called AtLeast (in TestFlight now). He's open to work, offering free 30-minute consultations, and a live WWDC 2026 episode is coming. Subscribe so you don't miss it.Related LinksFree 30-min consultation — ZcalSwift Craft 2026 — Folkestone, May 2026Beer City Code — Grand Rapids, Aug 14–15, 2026iOSDevUK — Wales, September 2026AI Doesn’t Reduce Work—It Intensifies ItAI-assisted development talk (Boston) — YouTubeMistKit — GitHubSyntaxKit — GitHubswift-build — GitHubMonthBar — month.barAtLeast — atleast.app (TestFlight)Bushel — getbushel.appRelated EpisodesEp 200 — Live from CommunityKit WWDC 2025 with Matt MassicotteEp 199 — v26.0 with Peter WithamEp 178 — SOTU 2024 with Peter WithamEp 196 — Swift on Android with Marc Prud'hommeauxEp 203 — Milk Diary with Kaya ThomasChapters(00:00) - I'm Back (00:43) - Conferences 2026 (03:54) - AI in 2026 (05:59) - Swift Automation (07:34) - Projects 2026 (12:02) - Free Consultation (14:37) - Thank you WatchClick here to watch a video of this episode. TranscriptClick here to view the episode transcript. Support the Show ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ Thanks to our supporters: Thanks to our monthly supporters Steven Lipton Welcome new supporters: Social MediaLinkedIn - @leogdionGitHub - @brightdigitGitHub - @leogdionMastodon - @leogdion@c.imYouTube - @brightdigitX - @leogdionX - @brightdigitCreditsMusic from https://filmmusic.io "Blippy Trance" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

July 31, 2025Episode 20333 min

Milk Diary with Kaya Thomas

Kaya Thomas (kayathomas.is) comes back after half a decade to tell us about how motherhood inspired her new app Milk Diary (milkdiary.com). She talks about using new APIs like Foundation Models, SpeechAnalyzer, and AlarmKit to handle the complex stuff other feeding apps miss: intelligent scheduling and reminders, combo feeding that's actually easy to track, hassle-free tracking for twins and smart milk management.GuestKaya ThomasKaya Thomas (@kayathomas@mastodon.social) - MastodonKaya (@kayathomas.is) — Blueskykmt901 (Kaya Thomas)Kaya Thomas | LinkedInKaya Thomas (@kayathomas.is) • Threads, Say moreMilk Diary AppRelated LinksRob Napier - TIL:AI. Thoughts on AIAI Code Reviews | CodeRabbit | Try for FreeRelated EpisodesNotifications with Kaya ThomasLive from CommunityKit WWDC 2025 with Matt MassicottePlinky with Joe FabisevichChatGPTovski with Kris SlazinskiThe Making of Callsheet with Casey LissApples, Glasses, and HAL, Oh My!Social MediaLinkedIn - @leogdionGitHub - @brightdigitGitHub - @leogdionTikTok - @brightdigitMastodon - @leogdion@c.imYoutube - @brightdigitBlueSky - ‪@leogdion.bsky.social‬Twitter Leo - @leogdionTwitter BrightDigit - @brightdigitCreditsMusic from https://filmmusic.io"Blippy Trance" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) (00:00) - What is Milk Diary (04:20) - Foundation Models (10:56) - The Feeding App Market (13:59) - Liquid Glass (17:01) - AlarmKit (19:34) - Local and Server Side Storage (22:28) - SpeechAnalyzer (25:13) - Developing with AI Thanks to our monthly supporters Steven Lipton ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

July 18, 2025Episode 20239 min

Swift Testing with Rachel Brindle

Rachel Brindle, maintainer of Nimble and Quick, comes on to talk about what's new in Swift Testing and what the future of Swift Testing may hold.GuestRachel BrindleRachel Brindle (@younata@hachyderm.io) - Hachyderm.ioyounata (Rachel Brindle)Rachel Brindle (@rachelbrindle) • Instagram photos and videosRelated LinksWhat's new in Testing, 2025 Editionnalexn/ViewInspector: Runtime introspection and unit testing of SwiftUI viewsQuick/Nimble: A Matcher Framework for Swift and Objective-CQuick/Quick: The Swift (and Objective-C) testing framework.pointfreeco/swift-snapshot-testing: 📸 Delightful Swift snapshot testing.swift-evolution/proposals/testing/NNNN-polling-confirmations.md at younata/testing-polling-expectations · younata/swift-evolutionRelated EpisodesLive from CommunityKit WWDC 2025 with Matt MassicotteThe Case of the Crimson Test Suite with Daniel SteinbergEmpowering Accessibility with Via FairchildIt Depends with Brandon WilliamsPractical Year - Part 1 with Donny WalsSwiftUI Tips and Tricks with Craig ClaytonMobile System Design with Tjeerd in 't VeenSocial MediaLinkedIn - @leogdionGitHub - @brightdigitGitHub - @leogdionTikTok - @brightdigitMastodon - @leogdion@c.imYoutube - @brightdigitBlueSky - ‪@leogdion.bsky.social‬Twitter Leo - @leogdionTwitter BrightDigit - @brightdigitCreditsMusic from https://filmmusic.io"Blippy Trance" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) (00:00) - Comparing Swift Testing and XCTest (11:08) - SwiftUI Testing (17:37) - Advanced Testing Techniques and Tips (23:47) - Future of Swift Testing Thanks to our monthly supporters Steven Lipton ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

July 4, 2025Episode 20140 min

Deconstructing Xcode with xTool with Kabir Oberai

Kabir Oberai joins us to talk about xTool, Cross-platform Xcode replacement and how Xcode works under the hood to build apps.GuestKabir OberaiKabir Oberai (@kabiroberai@mastodon.social) - Mastodonhttps://x.com/kabiroberaiAnnouncementsmacOS Virtual Machine App for Developers - BushelSyntaxKit - More Friendly SwiftSyntax APIPost Show Discussion with Kabir on PatreonBrightDigit NewsletterRelated Linksxtool | Documentationxtool-org/xtool: Cross-platform Xcode replacement. Build and deploy iOS apps with SwiftPM on Linux, Windows, macOS.cirruslabs/tart: macOS and Linux VMs on Apple Silicon to use in CI and other automationskabiroberai/node-swift: Create Node modules in SwiftKabir Oberai - Batteries Not Included: Beyond Xcode - YouTubeRelated EpisodesLive from CommunityKit WWDC 2025 with Matt Massicottev26.0 with Peter WithamSwift on Android with Marc Prud'hommeauxSwift Toolkit with Natan RolnikSwift Student Challenge with Dezmond BlairWWDC Notes with Cihat GündüzWe Have All The Heroes with Stefano MondinoThe Bushel Holiday SpecialSwiftly Tooling with Pol Piella AbadiaSocial MediaLinkedIn - @leogdionGitHub - @brightdigitGitHub - @leogdionTikTok - @brightdigitMastodon - @leogdion@c.imYoutube - @brightdigitBlueSky - ‪@leogdion.bsky.social‬Twitter Leo - @leogdionTwitter BrightDigit - @brightdigitCreditsMusic from https://filmmusic.io"Blippy Trance" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) (00:00) - Introduction and Announcements (00:53) - Kabir Oberai and WWDC (06:20) - What is xTool (19:48) - Mastering iOS App Signing (35:57) - Future Plans and Community Contributions Thanks to our monthly supporters Steven Lipton ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

June 10, 2025Episode 20025 min

Live from CommunityKit WWDC 2025 with Matt Massicotte

Live from CommunityKit, Leo is joined by Matt Massicotte to discuss everything announced today at WWDC 2025.GuestMatt Massicotte - @mattiem@mastodon.socialmassicotte.org | I write stuff here.Matt Massicotte (@massicotte.org) — Blueskymattmassicotte (Matt Massicotte)Matt Massicotte | LinkedInMatt Massicotte (@mattie) / XAnnouncementsBrightDigit #110 - WWDC 2025 = EmpowerApps 200th Episode + Bushel Sale! 🙌macOS Virtual Machine App for Developers - BushelRelated Episodesv26.0 with Peter WithamFull Stack Things with Werner Jainek and Vojtěch RylkoFear of the Main Thread with Matt MasicotteSwift on Android with Marc Prud'hommeauxSOTU 2024 with Peter WithamWWDC Notes with Cihat GündüzSwift Server Workgroup with Joannis OrlandosEpisode 151 - Platforms State of Union 2023 with Peter WithamEpisode 149 - How to WWDC with Peter WithamEpisode 124 - WWDC 2022 - Platforms State of the Union with Peter WithamSocial MediaLinkedIn - @leogdionGitHub - @brightdigitGitHub - @leogdionTikTok - @brightdigitMastodon - @leogdion@c.imYoutube - @brightdigitBlueSky - ‪@leogdion.bsky.social‬Twitter Leo - @leogdionTwitter BrightDigit - @brightdigitCreditsMusic from https://filmmusic.io"Blippy Trance" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) (00:00) - Keynote Highlights and Initial Reactions (12:06) - Exploring Machine Learning and App Intents (15:55) - Swift 6.2 and Concurrency Enhancements Thanks to our monthly supporters Steven Lipton ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

June 4, 2025Episode 19951 min

v26.0 with Peter Witham

Before Leo heads to California, Peter joins to discuss Apple's crazy year and what we expect from WWDC 2025.GuestPeter Witham - Developer, Podcaster, StreamerCompileSwift PodcastPeter Witham | LinkedInPeter Witham - YouTubeCompileDev - TwitchPeter Witham (@compileswift) • Instagram photos and videosCompileSwift | FacebookGrfxGuru - Github (Peter Witham)Peter Witham (@Compileswift@iosdev.space) - C.IMPeter Witham - Compileswift.com - TwitterAnnouncementsBrightDigit #110 - WWDC 2025 = EmpowerApps 200th Episode + Bushel Sale! 🙌EmpowerApps.Show LIVE with Leo Dion · LumamacOS Virtual Machine App for Developers - BushelOne More Thing Conference – OMTConfCommunityKit | WWDC | June 9th to 11th in CupertinoRelated EpisodesSwift on Android with Marc Prud'hommeauxSOTU 2024 with Peter WithamWWDC Notes with Cihat GündüzSwift Server Workgroup with Joannis OrlandosEpisode 151 - Platforms State of Union 2023 with Peter WithamEpisode 149 - How to WWDC with Peter WithamEpisode 124 - WWDC 2022 - Platforms State of the Union with Peter WithamSocial MediaLinkedIn - @leogdionGitHub - @brightdigitGitHub - @leogdionTikTok - @brightdigitMastodon - @leogdion@c.imYoutube - @brightdigitBlueSky - ‪@leogdion.bsky.social‬Twitter Leo - @leogdionTwitter BrightDigit - @brightdigitCreditsMusic from https://filmmusic.io"Blippy Trance" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) (00:00) - WWDC Announcements (02:48) - Apple Intellegence (08:16) - iPad (12:52) - New Version Numbering and New Design (19:40) - Swift Everywhere (22:45) - Future of the iPhone (30:23) - Vision Pro (35:43) - App Store (45:14) - Peter and Game Development Thanks to our monthly supporters Steven Lipton ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

March 27, 2025Episode 19849 min

Full Stack Things with Werner Jainek and Vojtěch Rylko

Werner Jainek and Vojtěch Rylko from Cultured Code talk about their migration of Things Cloud to Server Side with Swift and what they learned along the way.GuestThings - To-Do List for Mac & iOSThings (@things.app) — BlueskyThings (@culturedcode)Things (@things@mastodon.online)Werner Jainek (@jainek@mastodon.social)Vojtěch RylkoVojtech Rylko (@vry@mastodon.social)Vojtěch Rylko | LinkedInVojtěch Rylko (@vojtechrylko)vojtarylko (Vojtech Rylko)AnnouncementsJoin Bushel BetaJoin our Patreon!Newsletters | BrightDigitLinksSwift.org - How Swift's server support powers Things CloudThe Success Story of Server-Side Swift at Cultured Code - Vojtech Rylko - YouTubeRelated EpisodesSwift on Android with Marc Prud'hommeauxSwift, Server Side, Serverless with Sébastien StormacqFull Stack Lyriq with Adegboyega OlusunmadePixelBlitz in Public with Martin LasekSwiftly Tooling with Pol Piella AbadiaBackend Decisions with Mikaela CaronWhat is Firebase with Peter FrieseAWS and SOTO with Adam FowlerSocial MediaEmailleo@brightdigit.comGitHub - @brightdigitTwitter BrightDigit - @brightdigitLeo - @leogdionLinkedInBrightDigitLeoPatreon - brightdigitCreditsMusic from https://filmmusic.io"Blippy Trance" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) (00:00) - Overview of Cultured Code and Things App (02:19) - Migrating to Server-Side Swift (09:07) - Technical Challenges and Solutions (27:56) - Background Workers and Swift (32:11) - Swift 6 Adoption (36:34) - Chaos Testing and Deployment Thanks to our monthly supporters Steven Lipton ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

March 14, 2025Episode 19725 min

SwiftUI Fundamentals with Natalia Panferova

Natalia Panferova former Apple engineer of Nil Coalescing comes on to talk her new book SwiftUI Fundamentals.GuestNil CoalescingNatalia Panferova (@natpanferova) / XNatalia Panferova (@natpanferova@mastodon.social) - MastodonNatalia Panferova (@natpanferova.bsky.social) — BlueskyNatalia Panferova | LinkedInAnnouncementsJoin Bushel BetaJoin our Patreon!Newsletters | BrightDigitLinksSwiftUI FundamentalsNil Coalescing BooksNil Coalescing - BlogRelated EpisodesThe Great SwiftUI Migration - Part 2 with Ben ScheirmanThe Great SwiftUI Migration - Part 1 with Ben ScheirmanSwiftUI Field Guide with Chris EidhofSwiftUI Tips and Tricks with Craig ClaytonBehind the Scenes of SwiftUI with Aviel GrossThe Composable Architecture with Zev EisenbergWWDC 2022 - SwiftUI and UIKit with Evan StoneSocial MediaEmailleo@brightdigit.comGitHub - @brightdigitTwitter BrightDigit - @brightdigitLeo - @leogdionLinkedInBrightDigitLeoPatreon - brightdigitCreditsMusic from https://filmmusic.io"Blippy Trance" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) (00:00) - Natalia's Background and SwiftUI Book (04:48) - SwiftUI "Pet Peeves" (13:57) - Natalia's Journey (15:34) - SwiftUI and macOS Thanks to our monthly supporters Steven Lipton ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★