STUDIO X
12 articles · updated regularly

Thoughts, experience and open knowledge.

We share what we learn along the way: app development, AI, SEO, GEO/AEO, design and project management.

Public sector

STUDIO X to develop the City of Oslo's self-help app for people who use cocaine

The City of Oslo, through its Agency for Social and Welfare Services (Velferdsetaten), has chosen STUDIO X to develop a new self-help app for people who use cocaine. The app builds on the existing HAP app and launches towards the end of 2026.

App Development

What does app development cost? An honest look at the price in 2026

What does it cost to develop an app in Norway? We explain what actually drives the price, typical ranges for an MVP and full-featured apps, and why we give a fixed price after a pre-project.

PWA

PWA or app? How to know when a PWA is enough

Many internal tools and early-stage startups do not need an App Store app. Here is the framework we use to decide when a PWA is the smartest choice, and when you need a native app.

Strategy

How to choose a development partner

A practical guide for leaders choosing between a freelancer, an agency and a development partner. With concrete questions, red flags, and how AI has changed the way software is built.

Security

How we build securely: BankID, GDPR and audit from the first sketch

Security is not added at the end of a project; it is built in from the first data model. We explain how we design our systems with encryption, traceability, and least-privilege as standard.

App Development

Native, React Native or PWA: which type of app should you choose?

We build 90 per cent of our apps in React Native and use native where hardware, firmware or special platform requirements call for it. Here is the framework we use when clients ask what suits them.

Technology

Why integrations are where projects die

Integrations against ERP, CRM and legacy systems are the most common reason software projects overrun on time and budget. We explain why, and what we do to avoid it.

Strategy

What you own when you buy a custom system

Source code, data, infrastructure, documentation: what should be yours from day one, and which contract clauses expose vendors who want to lock you in.

Strategy

Build vs buy: when does it make sense to build your own system?

A practical decision framework for leaders considering a custom system instead of SaaS. With concrete thresholds, calculation examples, and eight questions that decide the matter.

AI & Development

AI has made us faster at software development

Experienced developers using AI correctly deliver noticeably more than before. We explain where the effect is real, where it is overstated, and what that means for the prices clients pay.

SEO & GEO/AEO

How we design for AI answers, not just clicks

GEO and AEO are how we make content visible in ChatGPT, Claude and Perplexity. A practical guide.

Project Management

Why we offer fixed prices on custom projects

When the project is well documented and we know the scope, we can often give a fixed price on custom projects. Here is how we work to make that happen.