How Logo Images on QR Codes Work

If you've ever seen a QR code with a logo or icon in the middle and wondered how it still scans, the answer is more interesting than you might expect. I assumed for a long time that the generator was doing something clever, maybe shifting bits away from the center so the logo didn't cover anything important. That's not what happens.

https://joefinapps.com/2026/06/01/how-logo-images-on-qr-codes-work/

Building Fluent Icon Finder with the WinUI Copilot Skill

The original idea was pretty simple: I wanted a Windows app where I could sketch a rough shape and have it find the closest match in the Fluent System Icons font. The set has around 1,600 glyphs, and scrolling through them to find the right one is tedious. I figured it would be more fun to just draw it. I also wanted to try out Microsoft's WinUI Skill for GitHub Copilot while I was at it.

https://joefinapps.com/2026/05/25/building-fluent-icon-finder-with-the-winui-copilot-skill/

SVG and PNG in Simple QR Code Maker: The Interesting Format Combinations

Simple QR Code Maker supports both SVG and PNG output formats. When you throw logos into the mix, the four possible combinations each need a different technical approach; here's how it all works under the hood.

https://joefinapps.com/2026/05/19/svg-and-png-in-simple-qr-code-maker-the-interesting-format-combinations/

Simple QR Code Maker Version 2 is Here and It’s Free Forever

Simple QR Code Maker v2 is live on the Microsoft Store — completely free, as always. A massive update covering batch creation, brand presets, spreadsheet import, advanced decoding, image recovery, and much more. More detailed posts covering each feature are coming soon.

https://joefinapps.com/2026/05/11/simple-qr-code-maker-version-2/

Why Local-First Apps Matter; And How Simple QR Code Maker Lives the Philosophy

There's a quiet but growing backlash against the cloud-everything model that dominated the last decade of software. Not a rejection of the internet but a recognition that not every tool needs a server, an account, or a subscription to work. Local-first software is the answer. Your data lives on your machine, works offline, and doesn't phone home. Simple QR Code Maker was built from the start…

https://joefinapps.com/2026/05/06/why-local-first-apps-matter-and-how-simple-qr-code-maker-lives-the-philosophy/

🔔New app Alert! Trowser

No one asked for it, and now it's here! You can now pin a website in a small pane to your Windows System Tray! Why would you want to do this?? Well, many times I will pick up my phone for a quick scroll while I wait for a long running task to fail. So why not embed that experience in the system tray.

http://joefinapps.com/2026/03/16/%f0%9f%94%94new-app-alert-trowser/

I spent all* my GitHub Pro+ tokens in February, what was my output?

This past month I spent nearly every night and weekend coding with GitHub Copilot by my side. As should be no surprise I develop Windows apps and have spent nearly all of my token budget on enhancements on my Windows apps. I used Copilot in the CLI, VS Code, VS 2026. What does that look like from an output standpoint? Let's go app by app:

http://joefinapps.com/2026/03/03/i-spent-all-my-github-pro-tokens-in-february-what-was-my-output/

Can you go to bed with specs and wake up to a Windows app?

The Ralph Loop is the dream of AI software. Write the specs, go to bed, and wake up with a working app. So how does it work with Windows app development?

http://joefinapps.com/2026/02/09/can-you-go-to-bed-with-specs-and-wake-up-to-a-windows-app/

Translate on device with Text Grab 4.12

The updates just keep coming. This release was focused on 2 features: On device translation powered by Copilot+ PCs Available in the Grab Frame via bottom bar button and options under the File menu Also in the Edit Text Window under the Local AI menu Configuring the Fullscreen Grab post grab actions Add/remove options as well as editing the default behavior…

http://joefinapps.com/2026/02/04/translate-on-device-with-text-grab-4-12/

Happy New Year! My Windows apps are 75% off in January!

Simple Icon File Maker Pro for $1.25 Open source on GitHub HERE Text Grab for $2.49 Open source on GitHub HERE Ink Calendar & Journal for $2.49 And the Free apps are still free 🙂 Trdo - Tiny Internet Radio Player Open source on GitHub HERE Simple QR Code Maker Open source on GitHub HERE Magick Crop & Measure Open source on GitHub HERE I hope these apps bring you focus and productivity in 2026. If you have any…

http://joefinapps.com/2026/01/02/happy-new-year-my-windows-apps-are-75-off-in-january/