macOS Developer (Contractor)
Khaled developed embedded macOS software for B&S Collective's photobooth product, where a Mac Mini serves as the hidden brain inside physical photobooth hardware. The application manages all photobooth components through inter-process communication (XPC and command line), controlling payment terminals, printers, and cameras as a unified system. A significant technical challenge involved implementing intelligent power management for 24/7 unattended mall deployments, balancing energy efficiency with millisecond wake-up responsiveness. The software is deployed at weddings, media events, conferences, and shopping malls worldwide.
Why I Joined
Unique opportunity to build embedded software where macOS controls physical hardware rather than typical standalone application development
- •Architected and developed the central controller software running on Mac Mini embedded inside photobooth hardware
- •Implemented inter-process communication using XPC for secure process isolation and command line interfaces for third-party manufacturer software integration
- •Integrated hardware control for payment terminals, printers, and camera systems through native macOS APIs and manufacturer protocols
- •Designed intelligent power management enabling deep energy-preserving sleep mode with millisecond wake-up responsiveness for 24/7 unattended operation
- •Built user interface using SwiftUI and AppKit appropriate for kiosk-style interaction patterns
- ✓Delivered complete embedded macOS system serving as the brain of physical photobooth hardware, a unique application of macOS capabilities in the embedded space
- ✓Implemented intelligent power management reducing electricity consumption for 24/7 mall deployments while maintaining millisecond wake-up responsiveness on user interaction
- ✓Successfully integrated payment terminal, printer, and camera systems through hybrid IPC approach using XPC for secure operations and command line for third-party software
- ✓Deployed software powering photobooths at weddings, media events, conferences, and retail mall installations worldwide
Technology Stack
Situation
B&S Collective needed a macOS developer to build the software brain for their physical photobooth hardware product. The photobooth uses a Mac Mini hidden inside the enclosure to control all components - payment terminals, printers, and cameras - deployed at events and retail locations worldwide.
Task
Develop embedded macOS software that orchestrates all photobooth hardware components while handling the unique constraints of unattended 24/7 operation in retail environments.
Action
Khaled designed a central controller application using Swift, SwiftUI, and AppKit that communicates with hardware through a hybrid IPC approach. He used XPC for secure process communication with critical components and command line interfaces for integrating third-party manufacturer software. For mall deployments running 24/7 without staff, he implemented intelligent power management that drops the system into deep energy-preserving sleep mode when idle but can wake within milliseconds when a user approaches.
Result
The completed software now powers photobooths at weddings, media events, conferences, and shopping mall installations. The power management solution significantly reduced electricity costs for clients with 24/7 mall deployments while maintaining the instant responsiveness users expect. The project demonstrated the viability of using macOS as an embedded platform for controlling physical hardware.
Size: 3 people
Structure: Small product team with dedicated macOS developer
Reported to: Product Lead
0Skills Gained
Skills Deepened
- 💡macOS can serve as a powerful embedded platform when software needs to control physical hardware
- 💡Real-world deployments face constraints like power consumption and heat that require architectural consideration
- 💡Hybrid IPC approaches (XPC for security, command line for legacy) provide flexibility for complex integrations