Direct messaging app for couples
A critical look at features and issues
Often a direct messaging app is solely dedicated to chatting and sharing media. This app allows you to share your thoughts, memories and your life with a loved one.
This app presentation shows three main screens: Chat, Starred messages and Calendar
Chat screen
This screen works as the home screen for this app. It's simple with little clutter and allows you to know when your partner is active. It allows you to send voice messages and share media files. It is possible to double tap on the message to star it and save it for later.
Starred messages screen
This section allows the couple to relive their favourite memories which they have starred. This can be anything from photos, videos, voice notes or texts.
Calendar screen
This screen is a very useful to look at and plan a shared schedule and keep each other updated on the day's events.
It is possible to see each other's past present and future schedules with a scrollable monthly calendar. Swiping right reveals past months and swiping left reveals future months.
The checklist below shows individual plans as well as shared plans with a possibility to see both.
I planned to explore the possibility to make secret/private plans, where one can make plans using the app without their partner knowing. But upon further exploration, I noticed this would pose a problem to the system while resolving clashes and also give rise to ethical issues.
For example:
Say Max is planning a surprise party for Ally and he needs to pick up her birthday cake at 6:00 pm.
Max adds a secret event:
6:00 pm Pick up Ally's birthday cake.
Since this is a secret event, Ally wouldn't know about it and the system wouldn't be allowed to share this information with her. So, Ally thinks Max is free and makes plans at 6:00 pm to go to the park together.
Ally adds an event:
6:00 pm Walk at the park
At this point how does the system handle the clash?
Would the system have to notify Max about the clash, forcing him to lie and make up an excuse, while it doesn't show on the app that he has plans?
Would the system notify Ally that there is a clash without revealing Max's secret plan, forcing her to lose trust in the system and Max?
A possible solution for this would be to have the option to make plans publicly and add a secret message to the plans which only the planner can see.
Max can now add a "fake" plan with a secret message
6:00 pm Pick up laundry
Secret Message: Pick up birthday cake
Now, if Ally wants to add a plan at 6:00 pm, she will be notified with a clash by the system. However, this still isn't an ethical solution as the system is forcing the planner to put up a fake plan. This could result in both parties losing trust in the system and each other, if misused.
Which is why it is best to keep the app transparent in order to make plans that both parties know about.
