Car Scanner ELM OBD2 - Interview with the developer of a fantastic app

Did you have any prior development or coding experience?

Coding is not my main activity. In fact, I'm working as a lawyer and coding is just a hobby for me in my free time.

What was the most challenging aspect of developing mobile app?

I can't tell what was the most challenging aspect in developing Car Scanner, because there were a lot of challenges, but all of them could be passed. One of them - a completely new "world" of iOS and Android after getting used to Microsoft platform. But it's just my case, because I was a newbie in iOS and Android development. Another thing is creating a simple, user friendly interface, without cutting some features or without overflowing the user with too many functions. I'm not sure, if I have succeded in this part, but some users tell me, that my app is easy to use.

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

In fact, I have very few apps installed on my phone. Speaking of 3rd party apps (not from Apple or Google), my every day apps are WhatsApp (because it links different platforms and it's easy to use), Microsoft translator (because it has good integration in iOS), Yandex.Navigator (for local navigation) and 1Password (good and convenient password keeper).

How long have you been working on this app?

I started working on Car Scanner for Windows Phone at the end of 2015. It took about 3-4 months to publish the first ever Windows Phone release. After that, I have constantly updated it, adding new features and I can't say that the development is finished yet. I have a huge ToDo list :) So, I can say that I have been developing it for last 2.5 years and I'm going to continue.

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

My app is designed for car enthusiasts and it meets their needs of knowing how the car is working, detecting faults, comparing results. It can be suitable for regular car drivers or owners, who are facing some problems and want to discover them without going to service.

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.

First of all, my app has a clean and user-friendly interface and, comparing to other similar apps, most of them have very complex interface. Second, my app can be easily configured for specific user needs. Third, my app supports a lot of different cars, providing some extra features. Fourth, my app has a lot of different features and it's hard to find and app, that combines all of them. And the main thing, why users appreciate my app: gives about 90% of functions for free. I don't force users to buy the paid version...almost all features of my app are available in the free version.

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

In the upcoming update I'm planning to add new dashboard templates, make some changes in demo-mode - so it would act like last connected car (at the moment demo mode shows all supported sensors). Maybe add some new sensors for some particular cars.

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.)?

I'd like to ask users to give good reviews on AppStore or Google Play ? It shows that I'm going the right way and that users need my app.