Some amazing products that inspired me this week
1. !Boring software: Playful apps for life’s boring routines
Musically. Vine. Twitter. Snapchat. Instagram Facebook. Then came TikTok. Clubhouse. X. BeReal. Locket. Threads.
Seriously.
How many apps did you download?
How many apps are you still using today?
These are mostly social media apps, but I can mention 20 other apps I don’t use on my phone and eventually deleted. Every app starts sharing similar vibe, similar feature, similar structures …
It can’t tell 2 apps apart anymore.
The world of apps—once an exciting canvas for creative exploration—has become repetitive, predictable, and… boring.
Andy Allen (who btw, is the Co-founder of FiftyThree and the popular drawing app, Paper (30M+ downloads) had the same idea in mind, and set out to revolutionaize Product Design, with notboring.software
Not Boring Software is a company that develops innovative software solutions for everyday tasks, aiming to make mundane routines less boring. The company has won multiple awards, including two Apple Design Awards, for its suite of apps that feature playful, 3D interfaces and customization options.
Some of !Boring products/apps
Their apps include Weather, Habits, Timer, Calculator, and Vibes, each designed to enhance a specific aspect of daily life. Their Super!Boring membership, provides access to all five of their apps, skins, and additional extra.
What makes this product awesome:
I can give you 4 (lol):
Playful, 3D interfaces: The apps feature visually engaging, interactive 3D designs that make everyday tasks more enjoyable and less mundane. Also, notboring.software website is crazy cool 🤯
Customization options: Users can personalize their apps with unique skins, allowing for a more tailored and enjoyable experience.
Ad-free, tracking-free, and data-gathering-free: The company prioritizes user privacy and provides a seamless experience free from intrusive ads and data gathering.
Multi-app access with Super!Boring membership: The membership provides users with access to all five of Not Boring Software's apps, along with additional features and customization options.
I don’t have many to say about their individual product right now, but maybe once I try it out for a few weeks, I can get back to you with a deeper and more honest review 😉 But for now, I am very much inspired by Allen’s vision for designing Product for Good.
2. HAMT: High Altitude Mountain Toilet
💩 To shit freely and comfortably is a privilege. How to do so when you are hiking, is a challenge. Recognizing the bulky, inefficient and difficult-to-use waste bags in the market, HoKwon Kim set out to redesign our toilet experience in the mountains.
High Altitude Mountain Toilet (HAMT) is an eco-conscious, meticulously designed solution for mountaineers, addressing environmental concerns with a well-tested, modular design. Beyond a mere toilet, HAMT is a system that generates recurring user satisfaction and business prospects, while upholding sustainable values.
I love how smart, simple and portable the design is:
What makes this product awesome:
In my last Product for Good edition, I mentioned how I love hiking and being in nature, so of course being able to shit comfortably is a cause close to my butt 🍑
HoKwon (the creator)’s journey is remarkable, how he went from problem finding → insight building → prototyping → high-end mockup and video production. Definitely this case study give it a read, not only for the meticulous design process, but also the delightful tone of voice in his writing.
3. 2way slippers
In Japan 🇯🇵 it’s quite common to have slippers for the bathroom or the balcony. But have. you found yourself in this situation ↓ ?
Arrrrrgh I can’t express how annoying it is, to have to turn around and slip my feet in. Especially if the strap is of hard materials, the back of my feet would get poked and hurt pretty badly.
What if there is a way to conveniently put on slippers without worrying about where your feet are facing?
Apparently, Japan is already making slippers that you can easily slip your feet in regardless of which direction. The strap is designed either in the middle, to maintain balance, or at both ends of the slippers.
Source: Luna mart
Despite the funky design, at the core, these slippers have the basic features a pair of slippers would have. I saw some other designs where they use different materials or add details to enhance the comfort and usage.
Varying sizes
Holes at the bottom for drainage
What makes this product awesome:
I think it’s simply so smart a design. Although the problem this product tries to solve is quite mundane, but it’s the mundane problems that are overlooked the most.
Any other products you care to share? Let me know in the comments.
See you next week 👋👋