Don Austin has been with Zco Corporation working with custom software for almost 15 years. His first ten years were in project management and five years ago he became the company’s executive vice president.

1. How long have you been involved in developing apps for?

15 + years – I started with Windows CE devices. 🙂

2. What type of apps do you work on?

All kinds. Enterprise applications, augmented reality, 3D games – a lot of apps that require Web services and databases, like inventory or scorekeeping.

3. What platforms, tools and languages do you work with?

I’m responsible for a large group of mobile app, game, and back end developers. My team members use different toolkits and libraries depending on individual project needs. We do lot of native Android apps using Java. We use Swift and Objective-C for iOS apps. For hybrid development, we use Xamarin and Appcelerator. We generally use Unity3D for games.

4. What apps have you worked on that you are most proud of?

I will say my involvement with our in house product, PublicEye, which is used by first responders like police officers and fire departments, is what I am most proud of.

5. What are the big trends you see in app development right now?

Virtual reality is getting big again. We can make you feel like you’re inside a 3D game with some of the new headsets that put your smartphone right in front of you.

6. What’s the best thing about working in apps and with mobile devices?

Mobile app market and technology changes so fast that you have to be on your toes to keep up with it. I like the challenges that come with that.

7. What’s the one thing you would like to change about app development?

I wish Apple were as open as Android platform. 🙂

8. What mobile devices do you use?

I just got an iPhone 6S Plus for work, but I also use iPad and Samsung Galaxy devices.

9. What are your favourite apps and games?

Subway Surfer, Clash of Clans, Waze and Pandora.

10. What do you think of the Apple Watch?

I wear mine every day. 🙂

You can visit Zco Corporation‘s website here.

If you’re an app developer and would to share your views on app development then please fill in this form with your details.