As I recall from his podcast[0], the author is specifically trying to make a business of indie apps, as opposed to making the best apps he possibly can. Or, to put it another way: he's making the best apps he can within the constraints of his business model.

(I'm not saying the apps are any better or worse for it; I haven't used them.)

He's probably right that in order to make a living as an indie mobile-app developer you have to go with the flow, but it does imply that making an app to satisfy your own standards would not make you any money.

[0]: https://www.relay.fm/radar