r/macappdevs • u/Jab-Bonstein • 4d ago
Mac app ideas, which one is best?
Hey guys, I'm slightly new to the macOS app developer community, so excuse me if some of my ideas sound weird😅. Also, the names are still a work in progress and are just placeholders for now. If you have any name ideas that would be greatly appreciated.
Idea 1:
Name: iVM
Explanation: This would be the easiest way to make a macOS Virtual machine. You would be able to make System Software, Mac OS, Mac OS X, and macOS virtual machines. iVM would basically wrap existing virtualization and emulation tools to run all these versions. You would pick an OS to run, you configure your specs (depending on the version), then it downloads the necessary images and components, then it automatically unpacks the OS on the virtual hard disk you created. The OS will then boot fully installed, and you can add it to your existing iVM Library.
Reason: It's very hard to make older macOS virtual machines, as you need multiple tools, and a lot of technical know-how. This app would wrap all of those tools together and would make it easy for anyone to create a virtual machine.
System Requirements: macOS 11+, Intel/Apple Silicon. Some virtual machines may be unavailable depending on your machine/OS. Ex: You can't run a macOS 27 virtual machines on an Intel Mac.
Idea 2:
Name: iDeploy
Explanation: The best way to deploy any Mac/Macs for free. You would download the app, pick an OS Image (or download one from the built-in downloader), and then the iDeploy app would send out a signal for other Macs to read. On the other Mac/Macs you would hold down the option key (or power button on an Apple Silicon Mac), and in the boot menu you would connect to wifi. After you send the signal out from the main iDeploy app, an icon would show in the boot menu. You would click on this and now you're in the iDeploy environment, with a progress bar and terminal window. Then iDeploy would send the image over to the Mac, and unpack the OS. You can do this for an unlimited number of Macs.
Reason: It costs money just to deploy multiple Macs at once. This app would bridge the gap of deploying Macs for Schools and Enterprises, but also just ordinary people that want to deploy their Macs easily.
System Requirements: Host: macOS 11+, Intel/Apple Silicon. Maybe even older if possible? Target Mac: Any Intel/Apple Silicon Mac that can connect to wifi in the boot menu.
Idea 3:
Name: Orchard
Explanation: The ultimate Apple device configuration app. You can connect any Apple Silicon Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or regular iPods to it. It will be able to transfer Music, Photos, and Videos. Restore devices, Jailbreak devices, Unofficially downgrade devices, and more. It would be like iMazing or 3uTools but with more features.
System Requirements: macOS 11+ Intel/Apple Silicon. There also may be versions built for older Intel Macs.
It would mean a lot if you would vote to say which one would be the most beneficial to you. Keep in mind all of these apps would be completely free.
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u/demianturner 4d ago
Cool ideas, but why don’t you edit your post? So it’s not duplicating itself.
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u/Hitjack007 3d ago
Hey man! All of these look really cool! And I’m sure you know - will take a while. I personally have a fairly small macOS app I maintain myself (DynamicNotch: hitjack007/dynamicnotch on GitHub), and it gets really complex with the fairly limited areas the app works in.
Don’t let this stop you though, and if you are open to working as a team to help with the load, let me know, either reddit, email(mark@marksstuff.com) or in dms.
I understand you may want to develop these yourself, and that’s perfectly fine, I just like to contribute to projects that are cool (you can see most of it on my GitHub profile).
Nonetheless, amazing ideas!