He created something that apparently a lot of people on HN find interesting (it wouldn't be on the front page otherwise). Personally, I make iOS apps so it could be useful in the future. On top of that, anyone who gives stuff away for free that took them a measure of effort gets my attention.
Also, he had an idea and executed it and released it, so he gets points for that as well.
Also, he had an idea and executed it and released it, so he gets points for that as well.