Malcolm Owen
@malcolmowen.bsky.social
AppleInsider writer, Hotel Outlaw indie game dev, Paper Dragons photographer, magic fan, playing card collector, bad at YouTube.
Yep, still working on #CharacterLimitGame and it's now on Steam for wishlisting. No pressure on me at all. None. Nope....
Beyond a frustrating ChatGPT vibe coding incident, I've been showing my game "Character Limit" to others on my iPad, it's about to be available on Steam, and the App Store is next.
iPads, Xcode, and Steam: Game development is hard, but gratifying
Beyond a frustrating ChatGPT vibe coding incident, I've been showing my game "Character Limit" to others via my iPad, it's about to be available on Steam, and the App Store is next.
appleinsider.com
October 27, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Yep, still working on #CharacterLimitGame and it's now on Steam for wishlisting. No pressure on me at all. None. Nope....
The game is coming along, and it inevitably has to get released. Still a lot of work to do though and no chance of getting help from a publisher (Looks at Devolver and Wales Interactive...) #indiedev #gamedev
In July, AppleInsider editorial member Malcolm Owen started to make a word game for iPhone using ChatGPT as an experiment. Two months later, and the project is growing, along with his headaches.
How patience, ChatGPT, and a little luck can net you one nearly functional iPhone game
In July, I started to make a word game for iPhone using ChatGPT as an experiment. Two months later, and the project is growing, along with headaches.
appleinsider.com
September 24, 2025 at 1:11 PM
"How do I demonstrate this effect. Maybe a video? How do I capture my desktop again? Uh...."
While far from everyone can see this, a number of people are reporting that iPhone app icons on iOS 26 are appearing slanted, making some even feel dizzy.
Liquid Glass is causing a disorientating optical illusion for some iPhone users
While far from everyone can see this, a number of people are reporting that iPhone app icons on iOS 26 are appearing slanted, making some even feel dizzy.
appleinsider.com
September 17, 2025 at 4:36 PM
"How do I demonstrate this effect. Maybe a video? How do I capture my desktop again? Uh...."
itshappening.gif
Apple's annual iPhone event is being held on September 9, 2025. Here's what you can expect to be announced during the "Awe Dropping" event.
What to expect from Apple's iPhone 17 'Awe Dropping' event on September 9
Apple's annual iPhone event is being held on September 9, 2025. Here's what you can expect to be announced during the "Awe Dropping" event.
appleinsider.com
August 26, 2025 at 5:17 PM
itshappening.gif
A complete balls-up....
This ad image is hardly clear -- get closer to this Apple "Shot on iPhone" billboard before you decide what it's showing you.
Is that a billboard or are you just happy to see an iPhone?
This ad image is hardly clear -- get closer to this Apple "Shot on iPhone" billboard before you decide what it's showing you.
appleinsider.com
July 30, 2025 at 8:08 PM
A complete balls-up....
Yes, I have been dumb enough to work on a game using ChatGPt, Xcode, and @unity.com . But at least I know I have limitations and no delusions of grandeur. The first project where you're learning is almost always terrible, and I am well aware of that. Cue an @appleinsider.com summary...
AI has made it somewhat easier for non-developers to create apps, but using ChatGPT with Unity in macOS won't turn you into John Carmack overnight.
Using Unity with ChatGPT on macOS for vibe coding is dangerously easy
AI has made it somewhat easier for non-developers to create apps but using ChatGPT with Unity in macOS, but it won't turn you into John Carmack overnight.
appleinsider.com
July 28, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Yes, I have been dumb enough to work on a game using ChatGPt, Xcode, and @unity.com . But at least I know I have limitations and no delusions of grandeur. The first project where you're learning is almost always terrible, and I am well aware of that. Cue an @appleinsider.com summary...
Good news: There's compliance.
Bad news: Devs still face some Apple charges...
Bad news: Devs still face some Apple charges...
Right at the deadline to comply with the European Union Digital Markets Act, Apple is making changes to its developer policies. However, it may not be enough to escape the European Commission's ire.
Apple again tries to cut third party app fees to avoid EU fines
Right at the deadline to comply with the European Union Digital Markets Act, Apple is making changes to its developer policies. However, it may not be enough to escape the European Commission's ire.
appleinsider.com
June 26, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Good news: There's compliance.
Bad news: Devs still face some Apple charges...
Bad news: Devs still face some Apple charges...
Only an hour to go until @appleinsider.com deals with #WWDC25. Emergency drinks on standby...
A games subdomain popping up on the Apple website strongly hints that Apple's dedicated Games app could appear during the upcoming WWDC 2025 keynote.
Apple's Games subdomain surfaces just before WWDC 2025 keynote
A games subdomain popping up on the Apple website strongly hints that Apple's dedicated Games app could appear during the upcoming WWDC 2025 keynote.
appleinsider.com
June 9, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Only an hour to go until @appleinsider.com deals with #WWDC25. Emergency drinks on standby...
Hardware is never guaranteed for WWDC.
Apple isn't expected to introduce new hardware during its WWDC keynote, with the event said to be a software-only affair.
Apple isn't expected to launch any new hardware at WWDC 2025
Apple isn't expected to introduce new hardware during its WWDC keynote, with the 2025 event said to be a software-only affair.
appleinsider.com
June 8, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Hardware is never guaranteed for WWDC.
Huzzah! @appleinsider.com is a clue on a @puzzmo.com crossword today!
May 20, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Huzzah! @appleinsider.com is a clue on a @puzzmo.com crossword today!
That 20th-anniversary iPhone could be an AI-processing monster, which could be useful at the time when it comes out....
The 20th-anniversary iPhone stands to offer a major jump forward in on-device processing, with memory changes potentially increasing AI response speeds in leaps and bounds.
Apple's 20th-anniversary iPhone RAM upgrade could make it an AI monster
The 20th-anniversary iPhone stands to offer a major jump forward in on-device processing, with memory changes potentially increasing AI response speeds in leaps and bounds.
appleinsider.com
May 15, 2025 at 1:20 PM
That 20th-anniversary iPhone could be an AI-processing monster, which could be useful at the time when it comes out....
"iPhone 17 cases can have really wild camera holes" is apt. I mean, look at that sideways T version....
The designs of cases for the iPhone 17 collection could be a massive departure from the norm, if one leaker’s images are to be believed.
iPhone 17 cases could have really wild camera holes
The designs of cases for the iPhone 17 collection could be a massive departure from the norm, if one leaker's images are to be believed.
appleinsider.com
May 12, 2025 at 1:34 PM
"iPhone 17 cases can have really wild camera holes" is apt. I mean, look at that sideways T version....
The screen's thinner because Samsung incorporated the touch layer directly, instead of it being a separate section. Subtracts about a fifth of the thickness of the display, which is nice...
The iPhone Fold is rumored use a new thinner display panel in its construction, that supplier Samsung hasn't used in its own devices.
Samsung working on new display unique to folding iPhone
The iPhone Fold is rumored use a new thinner display panel in its construction, that supplier Samsung hasn't used in its own devices.
appleinsider.com
May 8, 2025 at 3:05 PM
The screen's thinner because Samsung incorporated the touch layer directly, instead of it being a separate section. Subtracts about a fifth of the thickness of the display, which is nice...
On the one hand, Epic had the opportunity cost worth a billion dollars. On the other, the Epic Games Stores Webshops initiative should recoup that fairly quickly...
Epic Games’ fight to change Apple’s App Store rules has been an expensive activity for the game maker, with CEO Tim Sweeney believing it could ultimately cost the company more than $1 billion.
Billion dollar battle: Picking an App Store fight with Apple cost Epic Games greatly
Epic Games' fight to change Apple's App Store rules has been an expensive activity for the game maker, with CEO Tim Sweeney believing it could ultimately cost the company more than $1 billion.
appleinsider.com
May 7, 2025 at 3:26 PM
On the one hand, Epic had the opportunity cost worth a billion dollars. On the other, the Epic Games Stores Webshops initiative should recoup that fairly quickly...
Pro tip: You probably don't want to do this...
A YouTube video has demonstrated that, while tricky to pull off, it is possible to power an M4 Mac mini using a USB-C cable.
It's tough, but you can hack a M4 Mac mini to get power over USB-C
A YouTube video has demonstrated that, while tricky to pull off, it is possible to power an M4 Mac mini using a USB-C cable.
appleinsider.com
May 4, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Pro tip: You probably don't want to do this...
A 12% charge for out-of-app transactions via the Epic Games Webstore after the first million in revenue actually seems quite reasonable for developers...
Following Apple’s sanctioning for violating an injunction to remove anti-steering measures, Epic Games is launching Webshops to make it easier for third-party developers to handle out-of-app purchases for iOS apps.
Epic Games Store Webshops launches to help iOS developers offer out-of-app purchases
Following Apple's sanctioning for violating an injunction to remove anti-steering measures, Epic Games is launching Webshops to make it easier for third-party developers to handle out-of-app purchases for iOS apps.
appleinsider.com
May 1, 2025 at 6:05 PM
A 12% charge for out-of-app transactions via the Epic Games Webstore after the first million in revenue actually seems quite reasonable for developers...
The court says Apple lied to it. Oops...
Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has ruled that an Apple executive willfully lied to the court and attorneys did not correct those lies about Apple's 27% commission fee in the company's high-profile legal fight against Epic Games.
Apple lied under oath in Epic Games trial, may face criminal contempt charges
Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has ruled that an Apple executive willfully lied to the court and attorneys did not correct those lies about Apple's 27% commission fee in the company's high-profile legal fight against Epic Games.
appleinsider.com
May 1, 2025 at 12:15 PM
The court says Apple lied to it. Oops...
More bandwidth! Faster memory access! More data for the Data God! (And by Data God, I mean Apple Intelligence after it gains sentience and turns the iPhone 18 into a vehicle for world domination...)
The iPhone 18 could get a performance gain from memory, with Apple rumored to be using a new faster memory option in the 2026 releases.
Rumored iPhone 18 memory bandwidth boost will greatly enhance processing power
The iPhone 18 could get a performance gain from memory, with Apple rumored to be using a new faster memory option in the 2026 releases.
appleinsider.com
April 29, 2025 at 4:17 PM
More bandwidth! Faster memory access! More data for the Data God! (And by Data God, I mean Apple Intelligence after it gains sentience and turns the iPhone 18 into a vehicle for world domination...)
If you've played @landfall.se Haste: Broken Worlds, you can now listen to the fantastic soundtrack on your favourite streaming service!
distrokid.com/hyperfollow/...
distrokid.com/hyperfollow/...
Haste: Broken Worlds (Original Video Game Soundtrack) by Karl Flodin & Erik Lyding
Stream and Save Haste: Broken Worlds (Original Video Game Soundtrack) - Distributed by DistroKid
distrokid.com
April 23, 2025 at 10:37 PM
If you've played @landfall.se Haste: Broken Worlds, you can now listen to the fantastic soundtrack on your favourite streaming service!
distrokid.com/hyperfollow/...
distrokid.com/hyperfollow/...
Frustrated by Intel, Apple said "Hold my cider" and did its own chip thing. In the process, it nudged the PC chip market towards a machine learning future...
We're creeping up on the five-year anniversary of Tim Cook's Apple Silicon announcement, and over a decade of rumors. Here's how the whole saga started, how it launched, and what to expect in the future.
Five years of Apple Silicon: How Apple continues to revolutionize chips
We're creeping up on the five-year anniversary of Tim Cook's Apple Silicon announcement, and over a decade of rumors. Here's how the whole saga started, how it launched, and what to expect in the future.
appleinsider.com
April 23, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Frustrated by Intel, Apple said "Hold my cider" and did its own chip thing. In the process, it nudged the PC chip market towards a machine learning future...
Apple's security is usually great. Not if you were at the Amsterdam Apple Store on Sunday though...
@appleinsider.com
appleinsider.com/articles/25/...
@appleinsider.com
appleinsider.com/articles/25/...
Easter Sunday surprise: Closed Apple Store's doors were unlocked
Easter Sunday pedestrians managed to have a peaceful experience browsing a Dutch Apple Store, as the front door was left unlocked when the store was meant to be closed.
appleinsider.com
April 23, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Apple's security is usually great. Not if you were at the Amsterdam Apple Store on Sunday though...
@appleinsider.com
appleinsider.com/articles/25/...
@appleinsider.com
appleinsider.com/articles/25/...
I keep forgetting I have this. Sorry. Also, Hi.
March 23, 2025 at 6:46 PM
I keep forgetting I have this. Sorry. Also, Hi.
I have to say, they're pretty darned good. And no, I couldn't resist the obvious pun...
Review: Announced on Tuesday, Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 improve massively on the original, with heart beat monitoring the biggest and most important feature addition to Apple's audio lineup in years. And, we've been using them for a while.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review: Heart Beats
Announced on Tuesday, Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 improve massively on the original, with heart beat monitoring the biggest and most important feature addition to Apple's audio lineup in years. And, we've been using them for a while.
appleinsider.com
February 11, 2025 at 3:12 PM
I have to say, they're pretty darned good. And no, I couldn't resist the obvious pun...
This is your periodic reminder that the Japanese #LongLongMan commercial is the best short-form story series of all time...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-1U...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-1U...
Long Long Man
YouTube video by Orbitalsquid
www.youtube.com
January 20, 2025 at 4:47 PM
This is your periodic reminder that the Japanese #LongLongMan commercial is the best short-form story series of all time...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-1U...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-1U...
To try and make this account more interesting, here's my slow attempts to learn how to do the Blender Donut. On a Mac.
December 12, 2024 at 4:33 PM
To try and make this account more interesting, here's my slow attempts to learn how to do the Blender Donut. On a Mac.