Meet the Indian developer behind the best Apple Watch app of 2024

Lumy app

The ‘golden hour’ is quite the subject of fascination for those who click images and for those who love being clicked and posting their pictures on social media. Yet, the golden hour inspired Raja V, an Indian developer to do something different -- something which led him to a prestigious award.

Raja, an Indian developer, is the creator of Lumy, the app that recently won the title of Apple Watch App of the Year for 2024.  Fascinated by the simplicity and functionality of iPhone apps, he taught himself to code and started creating apps for Apple platforms.

What is Lumy all about?

Lumy is designed to help users track sunlight and embrace the natural rhythm of the day. It originated from Raja and his wife’s interest in photography, specifically their need to find the golden hour for ideal lighting conditions. Over time, the app evolved based on user feedback and now serves a global audience, offering features like sunlight tracking, moon phases, and weather integration.

The app provides highly customisable Apple Watch complications, enabling users to personalise their experience. “Today, people around the world use it for their daily routines, wellness practices, and creative projects,” Raja told Moneycontrol. Whether it’s a photographer planning a sunset shoot or a hiker timing their trek with the last light, Lumy offers tailored tools for a variety of needs.

Raja says that Lumy's design draws inspiration from nature, with an interface that changes throughout the day to mirror real-world conditions. Its integration with Apple Weather makes it especially useful for outdoor activities, such as photography or running, by providing quick access to cloud cover and other conditions.

Raja credits the App Store for enabling his journey, saying, “Anybody can join the Apple Developer Programme and start distributing apps to over 100 countries. You don’t need a degree or prior experience—just ideas and a willingness to learn," said Raja.

In addition to Lumy, Raja has created other apps like Calzy, which won an Apple Design Award in 2018, and Currenzy, a currency converter. His next big project? Bring Lumy to VisionOS and the Apple Vision Pro.