Solo developer builds AI transcription app using user-provided API keys

An independent iOS developer launched WhisperDirect, a transcription app sold as a one-time purchase that requires users to provide their own OpenAI API key. This model avoids the need for the developer to maintain a costly backend server or a subscription service. Over the past year, the app has expanded to include features like summarization, meeting minutes, and on-device transcription powered by Apple's improved Speech framework in iOS 26. The developer also tested and integrated other speech recognition engines from a separate experimental app, ultimately focusing on on-device processing to enhance performance and user experience.
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