09 — Real-Time Audio — 2025
Open Jam
Open Jam is a listening party platform that removes friction — no sign-up, no Spotify OAuth, no paid APIs. It uses the iTunes API for metadata resolution and YouTube IFrame API for audio, with Socket.IO keeping playback cursors, queues, and chat in perfect sync across all clients.
The Challenge
Listening party apps require Spotify Premium, OAuth flows, and API keys that hit rate limits. The barrier to entry is too high for casual group listening. Most people give up before the first song plays.
The Approach
I eliminated every friction point. Anonymous sessions via cryptographically signed cookies — no sign-up. iTunes API for metadata (high availability, no rate limits) and YouTube IFrame API for playback (no API key needed client-side). Socket.IO keeps all clients in perfect sync — playback cursors, queue changes, and chat messages. The entire stack runs on free-tier infrastructure.
What I Built
Built anonymous instant sessions with cryptographically signed cookies — users join a room and start listening in under 3 seconds.
Engineered real-time playback synchronization across all connected clients using Socket.IO with host-authority control.
Designed a premium analog-inspired UI with glowing amber accents, rotating vinyl visualizers, and inline member presence indicators.