Braintoss - Interview with the developer of a fantastic app

Did you have any prior development or coding experience?

Yes, I started coding Basic on a ZX Spectrum when I was 6. The fact that at the time no one knew what a computer was helped me fly under the radar as a “nerd”. This was in the late 70s ;) Our other developers have way more experience than I do though :) !!

What was the most challenging aspect of developing mobile app?

The fact that the user base has grown used to “getting software for free”. The perception of the value of paid apps in the consumer space makes building a sustainable business case very hard. We do not want to steal your attention; we want to help your productivity. But how are we going to make you “value that” if so many apps provide software at the price of your data or your attention.

_{Richard Wolfe}

Richard Wolfe, the interviewee, is the founder of the company Braintoss B.V that developed this app.

Richard was born in Australia and grew up in the Netherlands. He is a pursuer of simplicity, which is reflected in the courses provided by his company, Email Handyman, the productivity app he developed called Braintoss, as well as the many life-hacks he inserts into the lives of his family, colleagues and fellow cricket players – and now also through his first publication, Speedmailing.

Name a few of your favorite apps and reason you love them.

Scannable by Evernote is an all time favourite. I really wish they would eliminate some of the clicks at the end of the workflow. LouLou made by a Dutch company does an awesome job of simplifying “polls and date picking” through WhatsApp. And just recently Apple Music stole my heart (as an early Spotify subscriber) by finally coming up with song lyric presentation the way that kids all around the planet should be able to access (please note Youtube!!)

How long have you been working on this app?

6 years.

What need of the user did you have in mind when developing this app?

Get it off your mind and into a reliable spot.

In what way do you think your app is better than similar apps on the market? Please describe in detail what innovation you think you bring and what you are proud of in your app.

Braintoss was built because our brains are not technology and vice versa. The learning curve of using the app the first time is minimal (simplicity) and the likelihood of you knowing how to repeat using it is high (simplicity). We have had so many people thank us for improving their daily life that being proud of the app is a logical result (simplicity :) )

What are your future plans and expected features of the coming new versions of this app?

We are developing enhancements for sharing items from other apps to Braintoss so you as the user need not worry about what you sharing.
We are working on improvements on the interpretation of your “dropped thought” in the sent message so that you are more likely to remember what you Braintossed and make it easier to act on it.
We are collaborating with other platforms (Operating systems for cars, Bookkeeping, and task management systems) for interoperability. We launched this week with Ford.

Assuming new users of your app are reading this page. What do you want to ask them to do (contact you about X, Share the app, etc.)?

Please try out “share from other app” feature of Braintoss. It is a little bit of a “unknown feature” but users who get the hang of it really love it. And then when you really love it… spread the word :)