Faster Than Morse code - Interview with the developer of a fantastic app

Did you have any prior development or coding experience?

FTM was my first application for Android, but I already had a few years of experience with coding.

What was the most challenging aspect of developing mobile app?

I am sometimes surprised by the differences between Android versions and phones…

_PaPaCut

Jakub, the interviewee, is popular in the Android world by the name of PaPaČut. Faster than Morse was his first published app on the Play Store, since then, he has published 4 more apps.

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

When I am outside then mapy.cz (perfect touristic maps working also off-line); when inside Duolingo (I like to learn languages). And K9 email everywhere.

How long have you been working on this app?

The first version was released in March 2013, since then the application is maintained, updated and features being added. A new version with some new features and fixes was just released on the 20th of Feb, 2021.

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

I wanted to design the app in a way that Morse code learning can be fun and quick, so the user can take a short training session when waiting for a bus or in a queue in the shop. I also wanted it to run without issues on small displays and low-performance phones.

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.

Well, the reason behind the development of the app was more like "develop something useful and also have some fun with coding" than "bring innovations" :-). Thinking about it, interesting for the users can be that the Morse code table can be changed – you can add or edit symbols (e.g., add symbols of the national alphabet). I also think that the CodeGroup reception training was not common in other apps when I started the development of the FTM in 2013. Finally, the Farnsworth learning method is supported by the application to allow the user to get used to the character reception at higher speeds more easily.

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

A new version was just released; I added some features requested by users (like dark mode support or switchable Morse code table language) plus I fixed two bugs. I also have some plans for the version after this one - e.g., an extension and improvement of the training modes…

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 appreciate any feedback on the app’s functions. Especially, if you experience a bug, drop me an email, I will be very grateful for it. And enjoy learning!