1. What inspired you to pursue a career as an Android Developer?
I have always been interested in mobile phones that could do more than a simple cell phone. I had the first i-Mate Jam on Windows Mobile 2003 (https://www.gsmarena.com/i_mate_jam-963.php) at my 16th and people had no idea what it was. I already used it as a MiniPC, and as an ultimate nerd, it was my go-to device for managing photography, and I even did some DLL changes to get stuff like a BT stereo headphone working.
Going forward I got a HTC P3300 with TomTom, my first device with GPS I got interested in the inner workings of devices like this (https://www.gsmarena.com/htc_p3300-1693.php) The HTC Diamond had a really tough time with me as an owner, it has been flashed numerous times with all kinds of Linux and Android (Windows Mobile was the standard-issued OS, but XDA Developers was my hangout).
In 2009, after being an active smartphone user for 5 years, Android came to market together with the iPhone, and I chose the Android way. I started blogging for a Dutch Android site and even created a few projects with Android apps in the time after that.
My journey was always about finding the limits of devices and technologies. Java was the main language, but with Python (back in the day even PHP), Javascript, web, and solutions as Cordova I've seen my fair share of languages together with hardware development, cloud, and web I was busy with a full stack environment directed towards the enduser at a mobile client.
In 2018, I joined agap2 as an Android Consultant.
2. What would you say is your biggest career accomplishment?
Being really happy in what I do, creating stuff like I dreamed of when I was little, my dream was to become an inventor, and I did just that in my own way.
3. How did agap2 contribute to your growth over the last 5 years?
Agap2 has been a stable company for me after many years as business owner. Being a consultant gives me way more headspace to do even cooler stuff without worrying about daily business.
4. What were some of your favourite moments during your time at the company?
Agap2 is a nice place where I am in touch with longtime colleagues. Karting with the team was really fun, and sending a Whatsapp message to the manager knowing he's also watching F1 is like having a bunch of friends who also work with you.
5. What are the professional goals you are looking forward to working on in the next year?
I have been developing my skills together with the evolution of Android and I really like the state Android is in nowadays. I'm planning to create some own libraries to make my work at clients even more fun. Some solutions are still no part of Android but are used in every new project. I have skipped a few beats since the first days of ROM development so who knows what te future brings.