Episode Overview

David Heinemeier Hansson (DHH) joins the Subscription League podcast to discuss his fight against App Store policies and monopolistic practices. From launching the HEY email app to addressing challenges in the subscription space, DHH shares his bold perspectives on app distribution, developer rights, and the future of platforms like iOS. He emphasizes the need for competition in the ecosystem and highlights Apple's complex relationship with privacy and revenue generation.

For noteworthy quotes and key takeaways, read the article -

Episode Topics at a Glance

• The launch and challenges of the HEY email app
• Why App Store policies are harmful to developers and consumers
• The economics of monopolistic platforms like iOS
• Comparing app distribution models: Apple vs. Android vs. Mac
• Thoughts on regulatory interventions and EU's Digital Markets Act
• Solutions for improving developer freedom and user choice

More about David Heinemeier Hansson

David Heinemeier Hansson is a programmer, author, and entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and CTO of 37signals, creators of Basecamp and HEY. DHH is also the creator of Ruby on Rails, a widely used web application framework. In addition to his tech achievements, he is an accomplished race car driver, having competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. With a passion for developer advocacy, DHH has been a vocal critic of monopolistic practices in the tech industry, especially around app distribution and payment systems.

Books by DHH:

• Rework
• Remote: Office Not Required
• It Doesn't Have to Be Crazy at Work

Links

• David Heinemeier Hansson’s Twitter
• 37signals Website
• HEY Email App

Timestamps

• [00:01:10] Early career and the creation of Ruby on Rails
• [00:06:35] Success stories with Basecamp
• [00:10:45] Challenges of launching HEY and fighting Apple
• [00:18:20] Breaking down App Store monopolies and the need for change
• [00:24:50] EU regulations: Hope or hindrance for developers?
• [00:32:15] Proposals for fixing app distribution ecosystems

Episode production by Mobdesign: https://podcasts.mobdesignapps.fr

Episode Overview

Francescu Santoni, CEO of Mojo, shares the journey behind building a leading social media tool for creating reels and stories. From overcoming early challenges in virtual reality to pivoting to Mojo’s current success, Francescu dives into key growth strategies, the role of user-generated content, and Mojo’s subscription model. This episode also explores the balance between user accessibility and high-quality features, as well as how Mojo stays competitive in a fast-evolving app landscape.

For noteworthy quotes and actionable insights, check out the article - Scaling Mojo: How to Build a Subscription App with 40M+ Downloads

Episode Topics at a Glance

• Pivoting from virtual reality to reels and stories with Mojo
• Challenges in the social media and content creation space
• How subscription models and free trials drive engagement
• Using A/B testing to optimize the user experience and retention
• Balancing accessibility with high-quality content for users

More about Francescu

Francescu Santoni is the CEO of Mojo, an app that empowers users to create standout social media videos with ease. With a background that includes building augmented reality apps and experience with Y Combinator, Francescu focuses on making high-quality video creation accessible to everyone, from everyday users to small businesses.

Francescu’s Links

• Francescu’s LinkedIn profile
• Mojo app website

Timestamps

[00:01:17] Elevator Pitch for Mojo
[00:02:44] From Virtual Reality to Mojo
[00:04:52] Pivoting to Monetization and Subscription
[00:08:01] Phases of Growth at Mojo
[00:13:29] The Role of Subscriptions in the App Industry
[00:18:27] Innovation and Keeping Up with Trends
[00:23:02] The Impact of Generative AI on Mojo
[00:25:40] A/B Testing Insights
[00:28:44] What Other Apps Can Learn from Mojo

Episode production by Mobdesign: https://podcasts.mobdesignapps.fr

Timestamps
[00:00:20] - Introduction to Robyn Exton and HER

[00:02:10] - Robyn's Early Days and Learning to Code

[00:04:55] - Early User Acquisition Strategies

[00:07:50] - Competitive Landscape and Differentiation

[00:11:00] - User Behavior and Market Size

[00:14:30] - Current User Acquisition Channels

[00:17:00] - A/B Testing and Onboarding Insights

[00:19:30] - Brand Partnerships and Authenticity

[00:23:00] - Future of the LGBTQIA+ Dating Space

[00:27:00] - Challenges in Different Markets and User Safety

Episode production by Mobdesign: https://podcasts.mobdesignapps.fr