The ‘golden hour’ is a beloved concept among photographers and social media enthusiasts alike, but for Indian developer Raja V, it inspired something entirely different—a creation that earned him a prestigious accolade. Raja is the developer behind Lumy, the app that was recently named Apple Watch App of the Year for 2024.
Lumy is Apple Watch App of the Year! 🎉 So grateful for all the love and support that made this possible 🙏 #AppStoreAwards https://t.co/Aw7kkBSFdq pic.twitter.com/sICDsitnVN
— Raja Vijayaraman (@rajavijayaraman) December 11, 2024
In a conversation with Moneycontrol, Raja V revealed that fascinated by the simplicity and functionality of iPhone apps, he taught himself to code and began developing apps for Apple platforms, ultimately leading to his groundbreaking achievement.
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For the unversed, Lumy helps users track sunlight and align with the natural rhythm of the day. It was inspired by Raja V and his wife’s interest in photography, particularly finding the golden hour for ideal lighting. The app evolved through user feedback and now offers features like sunlight tracking, moon phases, and weather integration.
Additionally, Lumy offers highly customizable Apple Watch complications, allowing users to personalize their experience. It’s used globally for daily routines, wellness, and creative projects, catering to needs like photographers planning shoots or hikers timing their treks. Inspired by nature, Lumy’s design changes throughout the day, and its integration with Apple Weather provides useful outdoor information, such as cloud cover, for activities like photography or running.
Raja V credits the App Store for enabling his journey, highlighting that anyone can join the Apple Developer Program and distribute apps globally without a degree or prior experience. In addition to Lumy, Raja has developed other apps, including Calzy, which won an Apple Design Award in 2018, and Currenzy, a currency converter.
Apple recently announced the winners of the 2024 App Store Awards, recognizing 17 standout apps and games. Chosen from 45 finalists by App Store Editors, these winners—ranging from solo developers to large teams—were selected for their exceptional user experience, design, and innovation.
The winners of the 2024 App Store Awards include Kino by Lux Optics Inc. as iPhone App of the Year, Moises by Moises Systems Inc. as iPad App of the Year, and Adobe Lightroom by Adobe Inc. as Mac App of the Year. What If…? An Immersive Story by Disney was named Apple Vision Pro App of the Year, while Lumy by Raja V. won Apple Watch App of the Year. F1 TV by Formula One Digital Media Limited took home the Apple TV App of the Year award.
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