Fired By Robots

Aivars Meijers & Paweł Karniej
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  • Entrepreneurship

Two indie devs, no corporate playbook. Aivars Meijers and Pawel Karniej talk through building apps in public, scaling products, and staying useful while software keeps changing.

  1. 1 day ago

    Fired By Robots Podcast - Episode 17: Shopify Dropped React Native Because of AI. Should You?

    Shopify is moving its mobile apps from React Native to Swift and Kotlin after AI changed the cost of native development. Does that mean indie app developers should follow? Aivars thinks beginners should start with native development. I still think React Native and Expo suit many cross-platform products. We compare native development, React Native, Flutter, and Dart Native. We also discuss performance, complexity, over-the-air updates, and iPhone Duo support. Shopify’s native development announcement: https://shopify.engineering/back-to-native Shopify’s Shop app migration: https://shopify.engineering/shop-app-migration Apple’s iPhone Duo developer resources: https://developer.apple.com/iphone-duo/ Chapters: 00:00 Paweł’s new development contract 02:11 Apple announces iPhone Duo 08:09 Preparing VidNotes for iPhone Duo 19:32 Android foldables versus iPhone Duo 23:08 Apple’s new Siri and AI 29:02 Apple’s localization problem 33:24 Does Apple still innovate? 39:13 macOS 27 Golden Gate 43:02 Shopify drops React Native 50:17 Native versus cross-platform for beginners 01:06:10 Flutter, Dart Native, and HabitKit 01:19:04 Listener feedback and final thoughts Subscribe for weekly discussions about building, shipping, and growing mobile applications.

  2. 5 days ago

    Fired By Robots Podcast - Episode 16: Is Astra The Best Model Right Now?

    Is GPT-6 Astra truly the best AI model for indie app builders? We do not agree. Paweł sees a major improvement in reasoning, automation, coding, and subscription value. Aivars sees a better model, but not a revolution. Claude still produced better iOS designs during his direct comparison. We discuss real work from the past week: • Astra fixed an iOS keyboard bug that other models could not solve. • Astra created an interactive 3D avatar using Blender. • Claude defeated Astra during an app design comparison. • Our apps reached approximately $4,600 and $2,600 in MRR. • Paweł spent about $200 sending more than 40 Upwork proposals. • One unexpected Upwork message produced a $500 weekend project. • Hermes agents could become a reusable team of digital workers. Fired by Robots follows two indie developers building products without a corporate playbook. Website: https://firedbyrobots.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033k2vKCq4wYBIdzX2whcZ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fired-by-robots/id1896779874 CHAPTERS 00:00 Introducing GPT-6 Astra 02:52 Is Astra really better? 07:03 Astra fixes a week-long iOS bug 08:10 Claude still wins at app design 09:13 Building a 3D avatar with Astra 13:05 Astra and Claude subscription value 20:04 Where Astra still needs supervision 23:06 Weekly shipping commitments 28:00 August app revenue and hard paywalls 30:46 Upwork is now pay-to-compete 33:11 A $500 weekend automation project 41:21 Freelancing, pressure, and focus 46:40 Switching from Windows to Omarchy 49:37 Building a team of Hermes agents 59:39 Apple event and iOS 27 #IndieDev #AICoding #GPT6Astra

  3. 3 Sept

    Fired By Robots Podcast - Episode 15: Are We Just Big Children ?

    The conversation covers a range of topics including personal commitments, software development, AI models, and the future of software and technology. It delves into the challenges and opportunities in the software development industry, the impact of AI models on coding and design, and the evolving landscape of software and technology. The conversation covers a range of topics including UI development, streaming, Linux usage, cloud-based development, Grogbot, marketing strategies, Apple's surprise event, and the behavior of software developers. The discussion also delves into the challenges of AI projects and the dynamics of the developer community. Takeaways Personal commitments and focus are essential for project completion.AI models like Fable and Codex are changing the landscape of coding and design.The future of software development may involve a shift towards AI-powered tools and a reimagining of the software industry. UI development and streamingLinux usage and cloud-based developmentGrogbot and marketing strategiesApple's surprise event and developer community dynamics Chapters 00:00 Personal Commitments and Project Completion03:21 The Impact of AI Models on Coding and Design10:17 The Future of Software Development and Technology21:00 Challenges and Opportunities in the Software Development Industry27:55 The Role of AI Models in Software Development37:02 UI Development and Streaming38:00 Linux Usage and Cloud-Based Development39:29 Grogbot and Marketing Strategies01:00:07 Apple's Surprise Event and Developer Community Dynamics

  4. 26 Aug

    Fired By Robots Podcast - Episode 14: Testing Omarchy & GrokBot

    The conversation delves into the exploration of Omachi and Linux, discussing the features, integration, and considerations for hardware and operating systems. It also covers the use of Grogbot and AI agents for various tasks and applications. The conversation covers a range of topics including email marketing, AI model comparison, Grogbot use case, AI subscriptions, gaming and AI automation, reflections on the Apple ecosystem and development, focus on specific app development and marketing, and accountability and future plans. Takeaways Exploring the features and integration of Omachi on Linux.Considerations for hardware and operating systems when evaluating new machines.The use of Grogbot and AI agents for various tasks and applications. AI model comparison is essential for understanding the quality of AI-generated content.Grogbot's use case and functionality provide valuable insights into AI automation and content analysis. Chapters 00:00 Exploring Omachi and Linux02:47 Omachi Features and Integration07:00 Considerations for Hardware and OS26:13 Grogbot and AI Agents43:55 Email Marketing and AI Writing45:12 Comparison of AI Models46:33 Grogbot Use Case and Functionality47:18 Discussion on AI Subscriptions and Usage01:01:16 Gaming and AI Automation01:11:16 Reflections on Apple Ecosystem and Development01:16:34 Focus on Specific App Development and Marketing01:20:09 Accountability and Future Plans

  5. 22 Aug

    Fired By Robots Podcast - Episode 13: Apps, AI, and the Search for Leverage

    The conversation covers topics related to mobile apps, AI, freelancing, and business growth. It delves into the sale of apps, revenue generation, YouTube channels, and the transition from contracting to product-based business. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including business focus, B2B opportunities, mobile apps, automations, consulting, and the use of tools like Buzz and Grogbot. The discussion also delves into the changing landscape of hackathons, the emergence of outbeat.lol, and the challenges of gaining visibility for products. Takeaways Mobile AppsAIFreelancingBusiness Growth B2B opportunitiesChanging landscape of hackathonsChallenges of gaining visibility for products Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Weekly Updates02:57 Selling Apps and Revenue Generation08:11 YouTube Channels and Content Creation13:01 App Development and Revenue Multiples16:49 Transition to Product-Based Business24:47 Contracting and Business Growth52:54 Business Focus and B2B Opportunities54:17 The Use of Tools and Platforms01:37:04 The Emergence of outbeat.lol

  6. 14 Aug

    Fired By Robots Podcast - Episode 12: Escaping Apple Hell and Going All-In

    The conversation covers the challenges of app review times, the impact of Apple's ecosystem, and the strategy for content creation and streaming. It also delves into the value of different social media platforms and the importance of discoverability. Paweł discusses his experience with automated content creation for VNOTes using the Fastlane platform, the success of the video meme format on social media, and the impact on VidNotes' growth. He also shares his decision to focus on one app and streamline his app portfolio, as well as his transition to Linux and open-source development. Takeaways App review times are inconsistent and can lead to significant delays in app updates and releases.The value of different social media platforms varies, with live streaming and short-form video content being highlighted as effective strategies for content creation. Automated content creation using the Fastlane platform has been successful for VidNotes, especially with the video meme format.Focusing on one app and streamlining the app portfolio has led to better results and improved focus for Paweł. Chapters 00:00 Content Creation and Streaming Strategy32:06 Automated Content Creation for VNOTes with Fastlane38:10 Focusing on One App and Streamlining the App Portfolio39:49 Participation in Shipaton and Transition to Linux and Open-Source Development

  7. 6 Aug

    Fired By Robots Podcast - Episode 11: The Indie Shift

    The conversation covers topics related to travel, home, Shipathon participation, AI design tools, and the challenges of the App Store review process. It also delves into the changing landscape of app development and the impact of AI on design and development processes. The conversation covers various topics including the value of the App Store, open source projects, the use of speech-to-text applications, the development of B2B products, and the trend of vibecoding websites. The hosts also discuss the importance of focus and the changing landscape of indie development. Takeaways Home and TravelShipathon ParticipationAI Design ToolsChallenges of App Store Review ProcessChanging Landscape of App Development App Store value is decreasing due to the flood of applications and the rise of alternative distribution channels.Open source projects like Parrot and AraPirorot provide valuable features for dictation and language support.Speech-to-text applications offer benefits such as faster input and improved context in prompts.The development of B2B products requires a focus on quality and value to attract and retain customers.Vibecoding websites can generate revenue through ad spots, demonstrating a new trend in indie development. Chapters 00:00 Home and Travel05:08 Shipathon Participation16:43 AI Design Tools29:31 Challenges of App Store Review Process36:49 Changing Landscape of App Development42:54 The Changing Value of the App Store46:42 Open Source Projects and Speech-to-Text Applications51:32 Exploring B2B Product Development01:20:52 Trend of Vibecoding Websites

  8. 31 Jul

    Fired By Robots Podcast - Episode 10: AI Design Is Finally Good

    Paweł and Aivars discuss their holiday plans and the challenges of recording during the holiday season. They encounter technical issues and connection problems, leading to a discussion about product development, feedback threads, open source tools, and the future of software for indie app developers. The conversation also covers AI tools, the Revenue Cat update, selling applications, and Trust MRR. The conversation delves into the evolving mindset of embracing change and creativity, the challenges of managing multiple projects, the importance of deepening focus on existing projects, and the need to protect intellectual property. It also explores cost optimization and scalability, the transition to a manager of agents, automating workflows with cloud co-work, transitioning to cloud-based development, and leveraging cloud design for app development. Takeaways Holiday season challenges for podcast recordingThe future of software and indie app developmentSelling applications and Trust MRR Embracing change and creativity leads to clarity and new opportunities.Deepening focus on existing projects and protecting intellectual property is essential for long-term success. Chapters 00:00 Podcast Introduction and Holiday Update03:06 Technical Issues and Connection Problems04:24 Product Development and Feedback Thread06:01 Open Source Tools and Indie App Development10:07 The Future of Software and Indie Hackers13:25 AI Tools and Revenue Cat Update30:37 Selling Applications and Trust MRR46:43 Embracing Change and Creativity47:42 Managing Multiple Projects49:00 Deepening Focus on Existing Projects50:27 Protecting Intellectual Property51:20 Cost Optimization and Scalability01:02:30 Transition to Manager of Agents01:09:00 Automating Workflows with Cloud Co-Work01:17:28 Transitioning to Cloud-Based Development01:23:47 Leveraging Cloud Design for App Development

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About

Two indie devs, no corporate playbook. Aivars Meijers and Pawel Karniej talk through building apps in public, scaling products, and staying useful while software keeps changing.

Information

  • Creator
    Aivars Meijers & Paweł Karniej
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Aivars Meijers & Paweł Karniej
  • Show Website
    Fired By Robots

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