I want to write more. My problem is that I generally only write when I am super inspired about something. Since I’m writing a book and doing more articles on sites like Smashing Magazine, I want to learn to make a habit out of writing. I think this blog can help me do that.

So I told Christain to learn web programming and build me a new website. The old website had a lot going on all over the place. I wanted something simple and elegant, super focused on the reading experience.

I think he did a great job. As with all our products, we are all about iteration so feel free to let us know what you like and don’t like. We’re all ears.

While we’re here, thought I would post a little status report on the stuff we are working on:

• Languages: we’re actively working on the iPad version.
• Grades: we’re about 70% done with a completely redesigned version of Grades that takes on the class management space, a market that competing apps have proved to be big enough to invest in.
• Hours: we’re working on a prototype that we can use day-to-day. We think that will really inform the design.
• TapPress (the book business): Cleaning Mona Lisa did well for an iBook but we want to figure out how to create and market books that bring a bigger return on investment. Once we’ve cracked that nut with our own books, we plan to help authors and publishers do the same.
• Yes, I am working on a book. More on that later.
• I’ve been working on building a Branch community where top app makers discuss important topics to help bring the industry forward. It’s been going really well so far.
• We are still doing some client work. About to jump on a few new projects.
• We’ve also got some other super secret stuff coming up but that’ll have to wait for now.

Thanks everyone for following along. I look forward to blogging more and sharing what we’re learning along the way.

UPDATE: as of 12:55pm eastern the site doesn’t look great on mobile but we should have that fixed soon.

Note from Jeremy: We are super excited to announce our first full-time hire. Christain Billings (@cbillins) has already been doing awesome work with us part-time as an intern for the past year. He’s a killer UI and icon designer (proven by a lot of the stuff you’ve seen in Languages already) and I’m super pumped to have him working closely with me on a daily basis on our future projects. But instead of rambling on, I’ll let Christain speak for himself.

First off, I am super excited to be joining the Tapity team full-time and cannot wait to show everyone what we have planned! Now, let me bore you with a bit about myself.

I just graduated with a B.S. in Computer Science and a Minor in Graphic Design from UNC Charlotte and boy does it feel great. Originally I wanted to study Architecture, but a turn of events (getting denied into their program) led me to choose a different major. This happened to be around the time I got my first shiny new iPhone 3G and I was a young and naive freshman, so i thought I would try my hand in computer science. I stuck with and it and in my junior year, I enrolled in a fateful database class. This is when everything changed.

I had previously heard what Jeremy had done with Grades through a school email that was sent to all the students prior to taking this database course. After settling in this three hour class of misery, Jeremy and I started talking about apps. We connected more and more throughout the semester as I watched him crank out Grades 2 and continue to help me with my studies. The semester then ended and Jeremy went on to win an Apple Design Award, at which time I started my first week as a mighty intern!

One thing led to another and here I am excited to begin working full force on the many projects we have planned for everyone to enjoy. Thanks for stopping by and listening to my story. I’m sure you will be hearing from me again, but I have to get to back to work!

Take a wild guess at what I’m working on first…