Project overview
Mind Switch divides stressful topics into the aspects. For each aspect, users watch a specific video that affects their brain neural network. Users can select specific bothersome topics from the Mind Switch library.
The challenge & solution
When developing Mind Switch, we’ve faced several challenges.
The main goal of the project was to create a system for flexible content management. So that app users can visualize the entire content in the app, we’ve used a special element called “block” in the backend. On the backend side, the client can set up elements to be shown on the specific screen, along with the order they should follow to emerge.
The main challenge of the project was to empower a user with a possibility to customize the content of the application through the backend. We applied Firestore to implement such an option. Hence, the client is not only able to add, remove and change almost all the content on the backend but also make these changes in real time. Practically, all the data received from the backend is stored offline.
We opted for SQLite to develop embedded software. Therefore, any time a user logs in or registers in the application, we obtain all the necessary information from Firestore and load it into the local database. The mechanism applied in the app allows updating the data so that the user could operate with relevant data anytime.
Besides, we have developed several versions of the app to be run from a single code base. We use flavors to control the versions. Each app version has a particular flavor. As an example, using these flavors, the TBR Group engineers can control which backend should be used.
Theme customization
The Mind Switch app offers several theme layouts that users can select in the app settings. These themes control the app color spectrum.
Meditation flow
Mind Switch uses meditations to help users reduce distracting stress and other possible annoyance. Each meditation contains a specific video and a list of aspects.
So, we have created a solution that enables the client to get an access to the backend functionality and to control videos that should be assigned to a specific meditation; the aspects that should be displayed.
Simultaneously, by collecting the data relative to the aspects done by the users, our development team can show the client their activity statistics, so that they could track down their progress.
Subscription
The app can be used on a free-of-charge basis. In addition, there are several subscription plans, promo codes, and deep links. We use Revenue Cat to manage subscriptions in the app.
Just as well, having implemented promotion offers, we have made it possible for users to buy subscriptions at a lower price or with a customized free period.
The promotion offers are spread by dynamic links.
This mechanism singles out the users with special promotion codes, enabling us to follow up and make a special offer for them in the app. Users are expected to subscribe to get full access to the app content, such as the meditations and their aspects.
As mentioned above, Mind Switch provides special promotion offers by using dynamic app linking.
Technologies
We opted for Flutter and Dart in the project realization. The single code base of Mind Switch is platform-independent and therefore can be deployed
on mobile devices running both Android and iOS operating systems.
Plus, we have implemented Firebase as a back-end storage and Firebase cloud functions to run our back-end logic.
Key features
The app users can benefit from several key features available in the app. Such as:
Apple and Google email authentication
deep links
offer codes
promo codes
Firebase Crashlytics
Google Analytics
push notifications
ratings and reviews
subscriptions
a video player
integration adjustments
personal data encryption
app theme customization
flexible app content management
a list of meditations, challenges, and aspects; meditations divided into customized aspects
a user profile
statistics
flavors
cloud functions.
Outcome
The app is available from the Google Play and Apple stores for users seeking
to reduce their stress levels and relax. Over 900+ installs have been currently
recorded in the Google Play and Apple stores, with a 4.4-star rating out of 56
reviews in the Google Play platform.
TBR Group is working on adding new functionality to the app.