As we once again close out the year, and decade, here at the Iconfactory, we’d like to reflect back on all our accomplishments and look forward to the next year. Our 23rd year in business was a mix of familiar favorites and exciting new ground, as we laid foundations for making a sustainable business in 2020 and beyond.
Something Old, Something Blue
Back in January, we launched the Twitterrific Ad Network as a way for small developers to promote their apps to the thousands of tech-savvy users who enjoy Twitterrific every day. The network has been an overwhelming success and has helped bolster Twitterrific’s revenue over the past year. If you have a product or service you want to advertise, contact us and get on the waiting list for 2020: we’d love to have you!
In June, we announced Twitterrific 6. The update introduced over 30 new features and improvements but also moved Ollie to a sustainable subscription model. This switch was a challenge but it allowed us to expand Twitterrific’s features. In 2019 we added custom themes across platforms, a new browser extension for macOS, expanded media thumbnails, and multi-window support on the iPad. We also fixed a bug that had been bugging us for years!
Music To Our Ears
Just last month we introduced Triode, a fun new app to enjoy Internet Radio. Our best apps, like Linea and xScope, are born from personal necessity, and so it was with Triode. Craig wanted a powerful, yet simple, player app that worked seamlessly across all of his devices (iPhone, CarPlay, Airplay, macOS, and tvOS.) That desire gave birth to Triode.
Users and critics alike appreciate Triode’s ease of use, accessibility, and ability to take the complexity out of navigating thousands of stations to find the music you love. We have some great updates planned for Triode next year: the app is free to try, so we hope you’ll check it out!
Back to Basics
We broke new ground in March with the launch of our Patreon account. For over 20 years we cut our teeth bringing icons, desktops, and other downloadable goodies to life as freeware releases. Over time these releases slowed and finally stopped as paying work vied for our attention. Thanks to the support of our patrons, we’ve gotten back to doing the thing that we’ve loved for so long.
Since the launch, we’ve produced nearly 50 amazing wallpaper releases and dozens of fun icon sets. Our Patreon subscribers also get early access to new products like Triode, behind-the-scenes sneak peeks on our Discord server, and special offers you can’t get anywhere else. Patreon support even allowed us to create our first iMessage Stickers in over three years: Skullmoji was a Halloween treat!
The support of our subscribers has re-established a personal and creative outlet that was neglected for far too long. Whether it’s a podcast, a new app, or a fun set of wallpapers, we’re grateful to everyone who has given us the opportunity to explore our creativity and have fun while doing it. If you haven’t signed up yet, check out our Patreon page and join the party!
That’s A Wrap
As we head into our annual Christmas break to enjoy a well-earned rest with friends and family, we look back on these past twelve months with pride. We’ve helped important clients bring new work into the world, introduced new products and planned for the future of existing ones.
Lastly, we were humbled and honored when Apple spotlighted Craig with a special feature in the App Store back in May. It’s always wonderful to be recognized for our contributions to the community, but when it comes from Apple, it’s extra special.
We look forward to all the amazing opportunities the next year will bring to the factory. Thanks to loads of hard work and the support of people like you, we feel blessed to be here after all these years. All of us wish you and yours a happy holiday season. Thanks everyone!
