Indie Developer Chad Etzel Targets Two-Day Launch for New iOS 26 Navigation App

San Francisco, CA – Prolific indie iOS developer Chad Etzel has announced a rapid, two-day development project for a new navigation application on the recently released iOS 26 platform. Etzel, known for his efficient development cycles and successful apps like Sticker Doodle and SMARTA, shared his ambitious timeline via social media, stating his aim to have the app ready by the end of the day.

In a tweet, Etzel conveyed the app's core purpose: > "sometimes you just wanna know how to get form here to there real quick... 🗺️🧭 2-day iOS 26 app project, hopping to have ready by end of day." This suggests a highly focused utility designed for quick, straightforward navigation.

Etzel, a former Apple engineer with a background in proactive intelligence and features like Siri Suggestions and Shortcuts, has a proven track record of bringing apps from concept to launch swiftly. His popular Sticker Doodle app, for instance, was developed in just under two months, demonstrating his capability for expedited development. He also gained recognition for creating the "SMARTA" app, an improved transit application for Atlanta's MARTA system.

The timing of Etzel's project aligns with the recent advancements in iOS 26, which introduces significant enhancements to Apple's native Maps application. These updates include more detailed 3D city models, an "Immersive View" for select urban areas, improved real-time transit information, and deeper integration with Apple Intelligence for predictive routing. Such features could provide a robust foundation for a developer to build a specialized navigation tool with minimal overhead.

While typical app development cycles range from several weeks to many months, an experienced developer like Etzel, focusing on a specific, minimalist function and leveraging existing system frameworks, could potentially achieve a functional prototype or a basic utility within a condensed timeframe. The project highlights the agility possible within the indie developer community, especially when building upon a mature and feature-rich operating system like iOS 26.