Apptisan #008 — Eye Monitor
Eye Monitor is an automatic reminder tool. It judges whether you are using the computer through the use of the mouse and keyboard.
Name: Eye Monitor
Developer / Team: Cai Wenshuo
Platforms: macOS
Read this newsletter issue in Chinese (中文) .
Please describe your product.
Eye Monitor is an automated break reminder tool for macOS. It discerns if the user is utilizing the device by observing their mouse and keyboard activities, which helps in computing their level of fatigue. When the user’s fatigue reaches a user-defined threshold, Eye Monitor will alert the user to take a break, deploying either a full-screen popup or a notification message.
Was there a pivotal moment that inspired your product’s creation?
About three years ago, I was engaged in an extremely busy period at my previous job, where I would often find myself consistently working on my computer for several hours straight. After prolonging this lifestyle, I began to experience symptoms such as eye soreness and backaches. I found myself in need of an application that could remind me to take necessary rest and prevent prolonged sitting. Knowing myself as someone who tends to be a bit on the lazy side and holding a dislike for the manually triggered refresh timers that current applications had, I chose to develop my own automated reminder tool.
What makes your product unique compared to others in the market?
It demands no manual intervention. Eye Monitor ascertains if you’re using the computer based on your activities. When you need to rest, you simply need to step away from the computer for a bit, and upon your return, you’ll find that your fatigue levels have automatically decreased.
It offers a wealth of customization. Eye Monitor offers multiple ways of sending reminders and enables you to customize the rules for rest and reminders. Moreover, you can even modify the full-screen pop-up’s wallpaper and text. My personal favorite text is, “Time to stand up and take a walk!”
Aesthetically, it is more appealing compared to similar products available.
How have you marketed your product, and what key lessons have you learned?
Shortly after Eye Monitor was introduced, we published an article about it on Sspai (It is a Chinese content platform that helps discover quality apps and digital products). It got featured on the homepage which resulted in our initial user surge.
Subsequently, we optimized keywords in the back-end of App Store Connect and employed SEO practices which steadily enhanced product visibility.
Interestingly, user ratings turned out to be a vital factor. As most users gravitate towards apps with a plethora of high ratings, we began soliciting ratings from our users after they had used Eye Monitor for a while. These accumulated reviews significantly uplifted Eye Monitor's transformation in the app store.
What has been some memorable feedback since your product’s release?
In an endeavour to elicit more reviews, I introduced an in-app feature that prompts users to leave a review. However, the frequency of these prompts triggered a wave of negative feedback, which made me realize that such behavior was much more intrusive to users than I had initially thought, causing me unease. Consequently, I swiftly reduced the frequency of the prompts. Presently, when it comes to striking a balance between the interests of the product and the users, I handle such situations with greater discretion.
How do you typically discover new products, and how do you learn from their strengths when you find ones that impress you?
Podcast shows such as My First Million and Hard Hackers;
Twitter;
Information from RSS subscriptions like The Verge, Ruan Yifeng’s Personal Website, Sspai, and Hacker News.
When I come across a top-notch product, I delve not only into the product per se but also study its marketing techniques, how it grew from an idea to an established product, and expanded further. I take a keen interest in the stories and the mindset of the developers behind it.
Are there any products out there that you feel deserve more recognition?
Inoreader: I’d suggest everyone experiment with gathering information via RSS subscriptions using an RSS reader. It enables better management of your personal information stream.
Castbox: It’s a podcast platform compatible across different operating systems.
Cambly: I’ve been utilizing it lately for practicing spoken English, since it connects you with native English speakers for engaging conversations.
RevenueCat: I recommend it highly to all indie developers. By incorporating RevenueCat, you can readily provide a subscription feature for your app, complete with an elaborate reporting system. Importantly, if your monthly revenue is under $2500, RevenueCat doesn’t levy any charges.
MagicScript: A Chrome extension I propose for Apple developers. I created this myself. It aids in copying the update content of older versions from App Store Connect to new versions with a single click. Also, it routinely backs up the content for every new release for future reference.
Tell us a bit about yourself and what you envision for the future.
Formerly, I worked as a product manager at NetEase and am now serving in a similar capacity at a travel platform. Concurrently, I am the developer of macOS applications: Eye Monitor and Desktop Note. My current project involves the development of MagicScript—an automation plugin for the App Store Connect designed specifically for Apple developers and operators.
About Apptisan
Apptisan is a portmanteau of “application” and “artisan”, signifying “a weekly exploration into the world of apps and the passionate artisans who create them.” Each issue is a conversation with global creators, aiming to uncover and present intriguing products to a wider audience.
For those who prefer Chinese, you can subscribe via Quail. Creators interested in featuring their products are encouraged to submit them through our form, and we’ll be in touch promptly.
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