Tomato Messenger - Interview with the developer of a fantastic app

Did you have any prior development or coding experience?

No. I didn't have any experience, I have learned working in Android Studio in the past year only and tried my hands on developing this particular app. 'Tomato Messenger' is my first app on the Play Store and I am currently making more apps. Downloads are increasing slowly.

What was the most challenging aspect of developing mobile app?

The most challenging aspects of developing 'Tomato Messenger' were its interface, design, unique attractive name, logo, color, theme, integration of various features needed by users, their choice of interest, and ease of use.

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

I like many apps and ones that I am using are utility apps, communication apps, social media apps, entertainment apps. The one that I like the most is 'BIGO LIVE', live stream app. Fantastically done, correct interface, easy to use, and it never crashes. It could make you new friends easily, keep you whole day busy with friends all over the world without having to travel long distance. The app has fantastic video chatting feature. These are all live features of the app. The developer must be very, very intelligent, I am still trying to figure out how he made it. I think it's the team work, one person can't make such a high level application.

How long have you been working on this app?

It took me six months to make 'Tomato Messenger'. I was not able to decide for a unique name, still thinking to change the shape of the tomato, I will make it animated design. Then the design part which should be soothing to the eyes, then the logo should be attractive, and all the features that help a user like the app. This is my first app for Google Play Store. I like making apps. Developing apps is my hobby. I want to develop apps that people would use for real, and not just download and after sometime uninstall them. Also I have to keep vigil on the size of the apps, else users will avoid them. I had to unwillingly uninstall 'BIGO LIVE' app from my mobile since it occupied around 300 MB space. So, an app developer has to keep this in mind. Users don't install apps that are heavy.

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

I wanted people to actually use my app, and not just use it once and then uninstall, so I decided to start with a messenger app that people would love to use.

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.

Its unique, eye catching design...a user of this app will not feel his eyes fatigued even after prolonged use, I kept this in mind. Since it's a messenger app, users are all day hooked in messaging each other.

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

I will add the video chatting feature, it's not easy but after a good number of installs I plan to add this feature. In two months I got 1000+...'Tomato Messenger' is available on Amazon Appstore, Google Play Store, Aptoide, Uptodown, GetJar and other stores that I don't know, have also added the app. Also, I am thinking of making some changes in the design aspect, I want to change the tomato shape to an animated one that will look much more professional. The realistic tomato image is not so attractive. This is in my mind at present.

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 will ask my users to try, test, and review my app and let me know about its vulnerabilities. They can message me at [email protected]. I will soon change my email id showed in app stores. This is needed. I also want to know if the app crashes or not on their devices. Of course the app does not work below Android 4.1 as Google is constantly pushing to upgrade the apps to API level 26. I hope that they will automatically share the app if they want to use it.