MyBuddy - Interview with the developer of a fantastic app

Did you have any prior development or coding experience?

Yes of course, I am a software engineer working with a multinational company in Pune, India.

What was the most challenging aspect of developing mobile app?

Finding time. I had this in mind for a long time and knew how to do these things, but getting the time was difficult. Eventually, I managed and here it is!

_{Ravi Kumar Sinha}

I have done MCA and been working with different software companies since the year 2000. Currently working for a multinational company in Pune, India. I have been designing and developing software systems using new technologies.

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

I like all the small simple apps which do small tasks and provide some use in day-to-day life.

How long have you been working on this app?

I worked on it for two-three weekends to get it ready for the Android store.

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

Actually I developed this app for one of my relatives who came to stay with my family when she joined a multinational company in our city. She sometimes has to go for night shifts. Her parents who are in another city always asked her to send a message once she reached office and when she came back home. I created this app initially just having one screen with a text box and a send button. I hard-coded all the mobile numbers she wanted to send messages to. So she had to just open the app and tap on the send button and message is sent to 2-3 mobile numbers including my mobile so that we all know she reached office. Later on I thought of generalizing it and added "Add/Delete Mobile" functionality so that each user can maintain their own list and then have those mobile numbers in the list where they can tap the number and message will be sent with exact address of the place and Lat-Long.

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.

It's the simplicity of the app. I know that today you can even track a mobile, but the thing is nobody wants to be tracked and moreover there is no need to know the whole tracking process/details. Nobody has time to do that. Family members want to be informed at specific points, like when you reach your office or go somewhere or hire a cab in a different city etc. Now, with the latest release of the 'MyBuddy' app, you can scan the license plate of the cab as text and it will be sent along with the address and Lat-Long of the hiring location. It's the simplicity of use which makes my app better than others available on the market.

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

In the future the app may have a link to search contacts list on the phone and send messages to some number in your contacts list. Occasionally, you may want to send a message to someone in your contact list but may not want to keep them in the app's list. It will not be necessary to add those numbers in the app.

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 use my app in your family/friend circle, maintain each others' numbers and keep them informed. It's also good from a safety point of view. You can install the 'MyBuddy' app from the 'Play Store'.