5
points
ngokevin
Joined 2,694 karma
Building language learning app for couples @ couplingcafe.com
Prev: Co-creator of A-Frame VR (aframe.io), Supermedium (YC W18), original pioneers behind WebXR
- ngokevin parentI've repeatedly told ChatGPT to stop talking like this (it isn't X, it's Y) every other sentence
- As someone who spent 2+ years building one, I would turn away now if you're looking for traction or sustainability (https://couplingcafe.com). Though I don't regret it and learned enough to speak to my in-laws. My retention numbers are decent, but I just haven't done the marketing bit yet, and am currently taking a break.
Language learning apps are the ultimate sand-pit for solo developers thinking they can offer some random unique feature that Duolingo (or "Anki but better") doesn't offer. Without realizing, they don't do it for a reason. Language learning has extremely low activation and retention. And it's super easy to find one or two early adopters that like your app for some reason to keep going.
And solo developers that get into language learning often are only strong in software development and lack in UX, design, product, or marketing.
You may start with a calm, "not Duolingo gamification" style app, but every language learning app starts with pure intentions until you're many months or years in, your numbers are low, you need to make money, and you need to move the needle.
My two cents, you don't have to heed it obviously.
- Not sure about the autopilot part (even planes autopilots follow a flight path). I'm not an expert either, but with roads, there are clear lanes and markings. And ability to generally see around you, and judge distance.
Is what sets the lanes in the air are traffic controllers and flight plans? We're already short on traffic controllers. And there are already lots of near-misses (and not near-misses) even with the heavy regulation and control. Can't imagine having it as mass personal transit driven manually. There'd need to be a mass central system that controls everything, and in that case, might as well just keep it commercial
The energy efficiency isn't great either on personal aircraft
not an expert, just shooting the crap
- Ah, I meant tech startups. Starting a brewery and machine shop is exactly what I expect from the PDX crowd. I think you echo what I said, people working in PDX tech are there for the salary and coast so they can focus on their own lives outside of work, which is perfectly fine. But not conducive to a tech startup environment
- It helps there to be a strong community of founders, employees willing to take a risk to work at startup for less money, investors, capital, and general energy in the air. PNW tech scene is relatively low-key and apathetic to startups. Anyone with that type of ambition should have already migrated
- As a PDX native that went to Oregon State and saw a lot of people go towards Intel, I don't feel the Oregon Intel crowd has strong aptitude for starting something up. They're at Intel in the first place because it was a secure job in their hometown they could coast at. I'm sure there are many of them that can do it, but I don't feel Portland has strong startup energy.
- Wow, we're on the same page. I'm making a language app specifically for couples https://couplingcafe.com ... about to release a version focused on chat that has translator support as well
How has it been since you been using your tool?
- A language learning app for couples (https://couplingcafe.com). I wanted to learn my wife's native language, so I've been building this on my own for a long time and testing solutions! Just a few paying happy users. Cooking up a lot of ideas
- Interestingly, a lot of NBA fans don't even watch NBA games anymore because it's inconvenient (time and commercials) and games have no weight. Just highlights and statlines. Except for tuning in for recent Luka appearances.
So it's adding an extra layer of inconvenience and discomfort to something that's already seen as inconvenient, and something I feel people are doing less often unless watching with others.
- I'm building a language learning app, specifically for multi-ethnic couples that want to learn each other's language in a very personalized way: https://couplingcafe.com
I've eschewed jobs and even a funded YC startup to work on this idea for years, ideating. Just following my passion and deep belief I'm making a more effective way to learn a language while also strengthening an emotional relationship!
- I'm sure it was fun to build, and it's interesting to track inputs!
I fell in love with https://www.stayinsession.com ... Session can block tabs, windows, and apps while in Pomodoro focus mode with lots of granular settings. I think blocking loading of tabs should be sufficient, versus trying to block the input? (not affiliated, I just like this app)
- Work impact is debatable as well. Often, you're fully replaceable, you're a minuscule cog, your work never sees the light of day. And if it does, it's fiddling a knob, or may not have a positive impact on the world, depending on your worldview. Can't argue if that it's good if you're looking to pump net worth though.
Anyways, for FAANG, it's just gaming the interview process. Your experience and skills won't matter as much as getting through their demeaning LeetCode gauntlet.
- Yeah, the two big issues with UI tests: flaky and slow.
Curious how using GPT and vision combats flakiness? I'd feel the entropy of GPT and anything less than 100% accuracy in the computer vision pieces would lead to more flakiness.
I also wonder about the speed and costs of running the tests. When E2E tests are traditionally slow and expensive already. The computer vision and GPT elements seem costlier and less fast.
- I'm glad this is a growing trend! I've been building a language learning app for couples to learn each other's languages because I saw so many couples trying and failing at trying to pick up each other's languages (including me): https://couplingcafe.com
- I'm still on iPhone X, runs super smooth. The older iPhone X runs better than my test Galaxy S20 which is newer than the iPhone X by many years.
I also have a Galaxy Edge from the same year as the iPhone X. The Samsung is completely unusable. Every tap takes seconds for anything to respond.
- When reading about headset experiences, I'd de-weigh any insights that are within 3 months of the first headset purchase. The first few dozen sessions are novel, you get a kick (and social media views) about sharing how completely your life has changed to fit the headset.
More often than not, it's collecting dust on the shelf within a few months. Sort of like an expensive blender you were so excited to get, you imagined making super fruit smoothies every morning. Let's see how AVP fares in this regard.