Indie imaging tools on iOS/macOS are bending the rules of photography and screensavers, with Iris Flow, Horika, and Toasty Squadron leading the charge.
Iris Flow brings long-exposure capture to iOS via TestFlight. Rotating the screen can break the image preview, a quirk the creator is actively collecting feedback on as the app evolves. [1]
Horika channels the toy-camera vibe of Holga with real randomness: light leaks, grain, blur, and color shifts that feel in-camera rather than filtered. It supports multiple film types and formats (6×6, 6×4.5), adds a Real Holga Mode, and even lets you wind the film with your thumb for a tactile punch. [2]
Toasty Squadron reimagines the classic Flying Toasters for today’s Macs. Version 1.0 feels like a release candidate, with new features and sprite variations already on the roadmap, and a dedicated home at toastysquadron.com. [3]
These indie experiments show how platform-friendly creativity thrives when hobbyists get native control, blending tactile nostalgia with modern device capabilities.
References
Iris Flow : Long exposure cam
Iris Flow iOS long-exposure cam; testflight link; rotation breaks preview; testflight button issue; seeking feedback.
View sourceI made a camera app — Horika 🎞️ A film ritual in your pocket
Horika iOS camera app mimics toy cameras with randomized light leaks, grain, color shifts; offers films, wind, ritual.
View sourceA timeless classic, reimagined. Toasty Squadron
A reimagined Flying Toasters screensaver for modern Macs, Toasty Squadron, featuring new assets, release candidate 1.0, feedback requested from users.
View source