Origin#
On September 6, 2022, I saw a picture and immediately saved it, but I didn't know the name of the app. I kept it in my photo album and planned to make one myself when I had time. On June 21, 2023, while browsing V2, I saw someone asking if there were any recommended timeline/memory apps or web services that could also control personal data privacy. I immediately thought of this picture and replied, which reminded me of my own plan to make an app.
Implementation#
Previously, I developed apps using Swift, but this time I decided to use SwiftUI to practice. I started working on it on July 10. I initially designed the interface based on the picture. After completing the list, while browsing Jike, I suddenly discovered that the name of this app is "Good Things Happen"... I quickly downloaded it and joined the group. Since I found a similar app, I didn't have a reason to continue developing my own app, so I put it on hold again.
However, I always felt a bit unsatisfied. The "Good Things Happen" app focuses on sharing good things and increasing user activity through WeChat groups. It didn't seem to align with what I initially wanted to do. Then, on my way to work on the subway, I had an idea. I clarified that I wanted to create an app for recording trivial thoughts, such as thoughts during the commute, while running, while taking a shower, while taking a walk, or while listening to music. Sometimes, there are sentimental thoughts or sudden inspirations that come to mind. I have had many such experiences before, but I often failed to record them in a timely manner or scattered them in different places, and eventually lost them. It was a pity, so I wanted to create this app for recording thoughts.
As for the choice of app name, I thought of many names, such as "A Little Thought," "Ramblings," "Unforgettable Thoughts," "Random Thoughts," "Inspiration," and so on. Initially, I decided on "A Little Thought," but later I felt "Unforgettable Thoughts" was more catchy. However, I found out that it had already been used by someone else. "Ramblings" and "Inspiration" felt a bit limiting in terms of types of thoughts. "Random Thoughts" didn't sound quite right. So, in the end, I stuck with "A Little Thought."
The app interface and features were derived from "Good Things Happen"... so they were quite similar. Later, I modified it to resemble the style of a Telegram Channel. The marketplace feature was my own idea. Personally, I felt that some of my thoughts were worth sharing with others, but I didn't feel comfortable posting them on familiar platforms for fear of being seen as overly sentimental. That's why I came up with the marketplace concept. Coincidentally, I also learned about using CloudKit recently, which eliminates the need for server-side development, so I added it to the app. Initially, I planned to call it "Square," but it felt a bit cliché. Influenced by novels (Wandering Cult Marketplace), I leaned towards "Marketplace."
The subscription price is to support myself, and the interface is abstract because it was my own design... Even without subscribing, the main function of recording thoughts is not affected. The only difference is that users without a subscription can only view thoughts in the marketplace but cannot post their own. Hahaha!
Stage Completion#
The overall functionality was completed last week, but iCloud synchronization was not yet finished. I was also considering whether to add an introduction page. Today, I finally completed iCloud synchronization and decided to remove the introduction page as it felt awkward and didn't look good. I submitted it for review, and the first version is complete.
The second version has also been completed, with the addition of sensitive word filtering, recovery of accidentally deleted thoughts, and the option to choose different styles, among other features.
APP Download Links#
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bright-ideas-blue-sky-thinking/id6455787727