A year ago we set out on a quest driven by our mantra of "No more boring apps". And after many long, frustrating nights, I'm excited to share our first products with you.
We've stripped back every assumption about product design and started over to rethink the essential digital tools we use every day. Based on a new set of values, built on a new technology stack, supported by a new kind of software company, we put the values of play, aesthetics, and quality-of-life over efficiency and convenience. We're looking to replace the essential apps we use every day. Starting with not just one app, but three: Timer, Weather, and Calculator.
You can read all about the apps here. But rather than talk about the apps, I want to share with you why we're doing this.
Why are we doing this?
On one level, we're doing this because we love using great apps. We make apps that we genuinely use every day. They don't just look smart.
Built like a game, runs like an app
But we also love building great apps. And these apps are built entirely differently from most utility apps. They're built with a game engine. Yeah. Which means they're built entirely with 3D models, materials, lighting, animation, physics, and truly amazing sound design. You can truly play with our apps. This is an idea that we first explored with Paper almost a decade ago but is only now fully possible with the technology we have today.
Let's think bigger
On a grander level, we're doing this to show that software design can be more than just metric optimizations sprinkled with a few strategically-placed moments of "delight". Imagine software where you can feel the hand of the Designer guiding your experience and not a company's KPIs. Software that challenges us, satisfies deeper needs, and has a point of view. Software that becomes a vehicle for larger ideas about the way we live our lives. If software is going to eat the world, let's make sure it has good taste.
Our humble aim is to build a truly design-differentiated software company. To do in software, what is already common in fashion, food, architecture, and furniture. Where customers love our products not for what they do but for how we do it.
Your support means a lot to us.
If you want to help us on this quest, we offer a subscription that both unlocks all of the amazing software experiences we craft as well as provides support for us and this cause.
Finally, help us get the word out. Leave us a nice review on the App Store and help us spread the word on social media.
Thank you so much for your support!