What in the heck does an iOS Platform lead do?…. and almost as important, what kind of personal technology do they use, what is their opinion on Apples’ new Air Tag, and where is the best local place to grab a great lunch? We had the honor of asking all of these question to Justin Pulliam, iOS platform lead for Metova.
Can you give some detail on your work and duties at Metova?
My job is to enable the iOS team to be the best they can be. This involves me working closely with each team member to understand their strengths, weaknesses, and needs so that we utilize the right person for the job to deliver on all projects.
In order to maintain our high standards I assist by performing code reviews, updating our development tools, reviewing our processes, and providing technical feedback to our team and clients.
I also participate in hiring, to identify individuals who possess strong technical skills, a passion for learning, and who will work well within the team.
What are thoughts on uses for Apple’s new AirTags?
I think they look really promising. I’ve used a similar technology from Tile and these look like an improved implementation that is competitively priced. There are the obvious uses for keys, bags, luggage, etc. but a more interesting one I’ve seen is attaching it to a pet collar.
There are lots of GPS pet collars on the market, but by tapping into the massive Apple ‘Find My’ ecosystem, Airtags can achieve a similar level of functionality at a fraction of the cost.
Once the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, what are some areas or countries you would like to visit?
There are multiple parts of Europe & Asia I’d like to visit down the road, but I think for the short term I’d like to just get back to having friends over.
Many of us feel like we have watched everything there is to watch during the pandemic – Do you have any recommendations for Netflix movies or series?
The series that stand out the most recently are The Queen’s Gambit (Netflix), Kim’s Convenience (Netflix), WandaVision (Disney+), and Jujutsu Kaisen (Crunchyroll/HBO Max).
I also enjoy shows that really show off a person’s craftsmanship like Chef’s Table, The Repair Shop, and Blow Away.
What sort of tech setup do you have at home?
I have a triple monitor setup, all attached to my MacBook Pro & Windows PC. Why choose when you can get the best of both worlds?
There’s a lot more tech out of frame and around the home but we’ll just stick with what’s visible, from left-to-right:
- Speakers: Edifier R1850DB
- MacBook Pro (2019) tucked in the back with a vertical stand
- Webcam: Logitech c920
- Primary Monitor: LG 27GL83A
- Keyboard: Das 3 Ultimate (blank keycaps / Cherry MX Brown switches)
- Mouse: Razer Viper Ultimate
- Headphones: Sennheiser HD 6xx
- Headphone DAC/AMP: JDS Labs Atom Stack
- Windows PC: Custom built with an Intel i9 10850K CPU & EVGA RTX 3080 GPU
- Smart Speaker: Nest Mini
Do you use digital assistants such as Alexa, or any connected “smart home” devices?
I’ve used “The Big Three” assistants (Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant) to varying degrees, but have recently started replacing my Alexa Echo/Dots for their Google counterparts, the Nest Hub/Minis.
I found when it came to general search accuracy & voice recognition, Google was consistently giving me the best responses. Hey, it’s important to know how many species of sea turtles there are at any moment’s notice…which is 7, thanks Google!
Siri in a lot of ways still feels like it’s trying to catch up to the others, but with the Smart Home space growing so rapidly I’m sure Apple will continue to refine their experience.
In addition to my smart speakers, I recently got a few Wyze smart bulbs and a smart fan. As the number of devices grows, the capabilities through programmable routines/commands really start to shine.
iOS or Android?
Both! Currently my daily driver is a Google Pixel, but I’m still working with iOS devices every day and always on the edge of switching platforms again as each generation has something different to offer.
Both platforms offer a different experience; while iOS is often considered a more polished user experience out of the box, the customization options and wider variety in hardware of Android always make it a compelling option, especially for those who like to tinker.
How is developing for iOS different than for Android?
In the past, tools were the largest difference I noticed. For Android, at the time (2012-2014) I was using 3rd party IDEs (Integrated Development Environment) like NetBean & IntelliJ, which for their time were quality IDEs. However, once I started using Apple’s XCode, the benefits of using a 1st party IDE were clear. That level of integration and support for iOS were significant, especially when you’re just getting started. Of course nowadays Google has Android Studio which largely nullifies that advantage. With time the two platforms, and their new programming languages (Swift / Kotlin), have grown more similar in a lot of regards and I think transitioning between the two is now easier than ever.
Willem Dafoe or Christopher Walken?
Christopher Walken
Ford or Chevy or…?
Tesla maybe? I’m not much of an automobile person honestly, but I am excited by the technology that comes with electric/autonomous vehicles, and the competition in that industry is just starting to heat up.
Are there any foods or dishes that your area is famous for?
I’m not sure I would call it famous, but Nicky D’s is a great local burger joint with a very southern feel to it. My go-to is a cheeseburger with jalapenos but you can’t really go wrong with what you order there.
