Project 2
UX/UI Researcher and Designer
Elizabeth Brait
TEXT / CHAT MESSAGE AGGREGATOR APP 2 Competitor SWOT Analysis
3 Competitors
4 Competitor SWOT Analysis
6 Competitor Features
8 Introduction: The Problem and Survey Results
9 Survey Results (continuation)
13 Summary Competitors 3
Competitors
This project is interested in designing an message aggregator for SMS and social media text I ran into functionality difficulties when I downloaded Franz and tried to download Rambox. and chat messages. Potential users might be power users like social media managers, and Perhaps, both of these products are still in development or not functioning properly. users who rely on sending and receiving multiple SMS and text/chat messages per hour using It might be significant to mention that the majority of my survey respondents have never multiple apps. used a text/chat message aggregator, which suggests that there might be opportunity here Three competitors were reviewed for this project: Mightytext, Franz, and Rambox. Each of worth exploring. these apps are designed to aggregate messages in some capacity. There are some similarities and differences between them. Mightytext has over 70,000 Facebook likes and followers, whereas, the other two apps appear to be less known.
How do they position Send & receive SMS and MMS from your computer Franz is your messaging app / former Emperor of Austria Rambox is a workspace browser that allows you to themselves? or tablet, using your current Android phone number. and combines chat & messaging services into one manage as many applications as you want, all in one Messages stay in sync with your phone’s SMS inbox. application. Franz currently supports Slack, WhatsApp, place. It is perfect for people who care about productivity Syncing and super simple photo/video sharing too. WeChat, HipChat, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, and work with many applications, both business and Google Hangouts,GroupMe, Skype and many more. personal. With Rambox you can have all your frequently used applications in one place, with the minimum maintenance effort.
Who is their primary Android users Mac, Window, and Linux users that use message apps Mac, Window, and Linux users that use message apps audience?
What user groups are SMS and message app users SMS and text and chat message app users, including SMS and text and chat message app users, including they targeting? social media apps social media apps
What are their key Android ONLY for tracking SMS and text messages, Combines text and chat messages in a dashboard in A dashboard, which manages Android SMS and many differentiators and notifications, photo and video syncing between devices, one application, easy syncing, and available in multiple text/chat message apps (including social media). features? schedule messages to be sent in the future, create languages. Includes a spell checker and other features. desktop themes, send SMS via GMAIL, and more 4 Competitor SWOT Analysis
Mightytext
POSITIVE NEGATIVE
INTERNAL Strengths Weaknesses • It is simple • Last Press attention added to the site was in June 2013 • Clean dashboard interface • Facebook page does not look the way you would expect for • Focused on only SMS messages an active product • Can schedule when to send a message • Access contacts Both of these points weaken confidence in the products’ social • Send photos, vidoes, links proof. • Sync all devices • Help/Knowledgebase • 70,000+ Facebook followers, 74,000+ Likes
EXTERNAL Opportunities Threats • To expand to include IOS iphones • The development of similar products that also focus on IOS iphones.
Franz
POSITIVE NEGATIVE
INTERNAL Strengths Weaknesses • Clean dashboard interface • The downloadable desktop app did not function very well • Downloadable desktop app • Not clear how to get it to work • Claims to suport many text/chat message apps • Lacks strong social proof, such as highlighing it’s • Can sync in multiple device locations followers/likes, yet it meantions it is “Featured on the • Available in multiple languages Internet’s finest publications, with the publication logos, • 5000+ Facebook followers and likes but it is unclear what this means • On it’s Facebook page, it has not uploaded anything since NOV 2017
EXTERNAL Opportunities Threats • There are few competitors, therefore it has an opportunity • Did not to appear to be functioning properly to develop a new product that solve peoples needs Competitor SWOT Analysis (Continuation) 5
Rambox
POSITIVE NEGATIVE
INTERNAL Strengths Weaknesses • Clean dashboard interface • Claims to have 50,000+ users, but it’s Facebook page does • Claims to work with multiple apps not reflect this, which weaken confidence in the products’ • Cross platform social proof • Has an Ad block feature for each app • Has an additional feautres for JS and CSS, but doesn’t • Spell checker provide a good example for why a user would want this • Do not disturb mode for preventing notifications and feature sounds • When attempting to download FREE open source version • FAQ’s page and knowledgebase, phone number via Github, it did not work • Provides a FREE and open source version via Github • 1000+ Facebook followers and Likes • Last Facebook was AUG 2018 EXTERNAL Opportunities Threats • There are few competitors, therefore it has an opportunity • Did not to appear to be functioning properly to develop a new product that solve peoples needs
What can we learned from our competitors? Mightytext focuses on sending and receiving SMS and especially social media apps, how much time do users waste concerns. Therefore, I am not sure if at this point we MMS using any device. Franz and Rambox combine chat opening each native app to read and send their emails? In can know whether or not this is project is a pain-killer, and messaging services. However, Rambox also includes social media apps, do they get distracted that results in wasting however I do believe that a MVP low fidelity prototype, Android SMS messages. time? Franz and Rambox aggregates social media text/chat which is user tested would surely offer new insights and messages, do these apps save users time? Which, if any, of these further opportunities for discover. There are not a lot of competitiors in the market and they three competitor apps, are a ‘pain-killer’ or ‘vitamin?’ This is an each have taken a different approach to aggregating For this MVP, it may be sensible to start with a simple important distinction because a pain-killer is a necsessity that text/chat messages. Mightytext has limited it’s audience wireframe designs focusing on SMS type text/chat resolves a problem; whereas, a vitamin is a nice to have. Pain- to Android users only, whereas the other two apps, messages, and to design a product that is agile with the killer products likely have a better chance for success. Franz and Rambox are cross-platform available for Mac, ability to later also aggregate social media type text/ Windows, and Linux users. Each of three competitor apps present a platform for this project chats messages, and possibly notifications. to build on. There are still a few questions regarding whether According to my survey (results later in this document), users want an app, which combines their SMS type text/chatting Target Audience more than 90% of the survey respondents reported that messages with their social media type text/chats messages? If The target audience should include smartphone users they have never used a text/chat aggregator app, yet a product, which has this capabiliity doesn’t exist, how do users between ages 16 and 50 years old; who use more than more than 50% were willing to try one. Still questions know if it is something they would want? It relies on the users one app for texting and chatting, including social media apps. exist. For users who text/chat using more than 1 app, imagination, which can also be in battle their security and trust 6 Competitor Features
MIGHYTEXT FRANZ RAMBOX
Website mightytext.net meetfranz.com rambox.pro Development stage unclear unclear unclear Downloadable app Android only Windows/Mac/Linux Windows/Mac/Linux / Via Github - did not work Web-based Computer/Tablet only yes Not functioning Type of interface to access apps dashboard dashboard dashboard Browser friendly Any Any Any Sync SMS messages capabilities yes no yes Support multiple SMS and chat apps both only chat both Manage notifications form multiple apps yes no yes Access contacts yes unclear yes Attach Links yes unclear yes Attach Photo and Video yes unclear yes Scheduler to send text/chat messages yes unclear unclear Calendar unclear unclear unclear Text message directly form GMAIL yes unclear unclear Do not disturb mode for notifications unclear unclear yes Search capabilities unclear exact capabilities unclear exact capabilities unclear exact capabilities Enable/disbable feature without deleting apps unclear unclear unclear Change layout / theme yes unclear unclear Ad blocker yes unclear yes Spell checker unclear unclear yes Competitor Features 7
MIGHYTEXT FRANZ RAMBOX
Support/FAQ/Community Support/ yes limited yes knowledgebase Developer contact form and/or phone yes none/limited yes Security Features MightyText takes appropriate security measures If you explicitly opt in to synchronize your HOW DO WE KEEP YOUR INFORMATION SAFE? to protect against unauthorized access, session data (session data usually does not alteration, disclosure, or destruction of your contain any passwords) with your other In Short: We aim to protect your personal personal information that we collect and store. computers, we will encrypt your credentials, information through a system of organizational These measures vary based on the type and using high security industry standards, and and technical security measures. sensitivity of the data. Unfortunately, however, store them as long as necessary on our servers. no system can be 100% secured, so we cannot The encryption of your data will happen on your We have implemented appropriate technical and guarantee that communications between you computer. We will never have access to plain organizational security measures designed to and MightyText, the Services, or any information text credentials. protect the security of any personal information provided to us in connection with the data we we process. However, please also remember collect through the Services will be free from that we cannot guarantee that the internet itself unauthorized access by third parties. is 100% secure. Although we will do our best to protect your personal information, transmission of personal information to and from our Apps is at your own risk. You should only access the services within a secure environment Message/chat confidentiality In order to use certain features (like sending Franz is very close to a web browser and does We collect personal information that you an SMS from our web application), you need to not need direct access to external service provide to us such as name, address, contact log in using your Google Account credentials. API’s. That means Franz does not store any of information, passwords and security data, When you create a MightyText account, we your external service login credentials on your payment information, and social media login collect and store the information you provide, computer or on a cloud service. data . like your verified email address, phone number, and assign you a unique identifying number (“Account Data”). We never have access to your Google Account password. 8 Introduction: The Problem and Survey Results
Introduction: The Problem Survey Results
This project surveyed users about their text/chat A preliminary survey was taken by 34 survey respondents, Mobile apps, which the 34 survey respondents use most message communication experiences, behaviors, and who were asked about their text/chat messaging behaviors. habits; their use of GMAIL; and their security concerns. Respondent Demographics This project specifically is interested in two different types of message apps. Type A, apps used specifically Smartphone Text App Whatsapp FB Messenger for text messaging, like SMS, iMessages, and WhatsApp. 54.5% 45.5% 30 Users 19 Users 17 Users Type B, social media apps, such as Slack, LinkedIn, and MALES FEMALES 90.9% 57.6% 51.5% Instagram.
Currently, there are only a limited number of message Survey Respondents Age Groups aggregators available; none which are well recognized. Ages Total Number Percent Most people read and send their text/chat messages within the native app. Security and trust maybe a 16-25 9 27.3% Slack LinkedIn Snapchat Meetup 12 Users 10 Users 7 Users 4 Users significant hurdle. Users might not be willing to buy 26-30 3 9.1% into an app that requires sharing their usernames and 36.4% 30.3% 31.2% 12.1% 31-40 10 30.3% passwords for other apps in order to aggregate their *Users also reported using Meetup (3), WeChat, Viber, Discord, GroupMe, messages in one location. 41-50 6 18.2% Instagram, and Twitter
Texting and social media chat messenging might be 51-60 2 6.1% as common as reading and sending emails. For some 61-70 2 6.1% people, text/chat messaging is a preferred modality Of the 34 SURVEY RESPONDENTS: for communication. It is quick, easy, and you can orally 70+ 1 3% they were willing to try a mobile dictate and don’t have to type. However, it can also 60.6% app, which aggregated their text/ be very seductive and time consuming. It present Preliminary Survey Findings chat messages from the multiple opportunities, which distracts a user beyond just reading apps they use and sending a message. Users reported concerns with 100% of the USERS distraction that resulted in wasting time, getting easily use a SMART PHONE pulled into a text/chat, discussion or distraction by other 51.5% Stated it would be of interest, features with an app. So if this is a significant problem, if this app could also aggregate it is possible an aggregator could provide a solution that Communicate with text message with more notifications, but in a separate 82.4% than one app (Such as with your smart phone folder reduces distraction, saves time, and ultimately, increases text messages, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, efficiency and time. Slack, Viber, Google Hangout, SnapChat, WeChat, Mood Messenger, Skype, etc) Survey Results (Continuation) 9
Features Survey Respondents Would Most Use Features Reported as Annoying The Second Survey
78.8% (26) 78.8% (26) An email tab as Giving one The results of the preliminary survey suggested that users are likely to be interested in an app, which aggregates their Ability to populate all Reading and sending well to navigate company access text/chat messages from multiple apps in one location. of your messages in text messages quickly between to read all of my one location different email communication The following pages are the results from a second survey, platforms channels also with 34 respondents. Th users were asked users more specific questions about their text/chat messaging 72.7% (24) 69.7% (23) The inability The inability to experiences, behaviors, and habits. Maintain all current Sending attachments to have the ignore certain text message features option to silence senders On Average, User’s Daily Apps Use notifications or channels
88.2% OF USERS read and send TEXT/CHAT 60.6% (20) 57.6% (19) When apps do not Features, which COMMUNICATIONS USING 1-5 APPS DAILY Adding emojis Accessing contacts support reading compromise texts security on their computer, ipad, tablet, and/or smartphone
(13) (11) Messages from Automatic of users read and send 39.4% 33.3% text/chat messages unknown people notifications 27.3% (13) Linking to a calendar Filter all of your apps’ every hour notifications, so they populate separately of users read and send Pop-up ads Android emojis into one folder 30.3% (13) text/chat messages every few hours
Slow speeds 21.2% (7) 18.2% (6) of users read and send 39.4% (13) text/chat messages Ability to create Texting in multiple multiple times/hour folders, simlar to email languages programs 10 Survey Results (Continuation)
Features Survey Respondents Would Most Use Users Experience, Behaviors, and Habits with GMAIL Confusion Some People have with a GMAIL Feature
Almost 70% of survey respondents reported that they Users were asked about their experience using GMAIL because Perhaps GMAIL is not doing a great job at explaining how have had the experience of getting distracted by other app GMAIL has many features, which could betransferable to a text/ to categorize folders for certain emails to get automatically features (i.e. social media) that resulted in wasting time, chat message aggregator. drooped into those folders. Two respondents expressed when they open an app to read or send a message. their frustration with this, while one respondent clearly of the SURVEYED contradicted them by professing his/her love for how GMAIL 94% categorizes folders. USERS use GMAIL
NOTHING Inability to Wishes it was I like the way I Likes the way GMAIL create rules 78% easy to create can create rules ORGANIZES their email based rules for certain to categorize catetorigized emails in order folders for What Users Dislike or Found Annoying about GMAIL inboxes for to organize files different topic different topics emails Confusion with the Difficulty with 69.7% 30.3% Group all emails way emails are finding ‘reply’ in threads, makes layed out and ‘forward’ In the preliminary survey, 60% of users said they would it hard to find What if the Message Aggregator Behaved like GMAIL? and identifying all commands on the be willing to try a mobile app, that aggregates text/chat attachments the ‘replies’ mobile phone Users were asked: If they would use a product, which messages from the multiple apps they use. In the second organizes your text/chat messages similar to the way survey, users appeared to be more hesitant when asked: Difficulty with Unclear buttons Difficultiy finding GMAIL works, except instead of it being email it is for text/ aggregating other that make emails emails that have Assuming you use more than 1 apps to read and send text/ chat messages? email accounts disappear and they been accidently chat messages, would you use a text/chat message to receive those are difficult to deleted app, which could aggregate all of your messages emails via GMAIL retrieve in the trash 46.9% from multiple apps, if it saved you time and quick YES access to reading and sending your texts/chats? Prefers an 46.9% Ads that pop Prefers a reading interface with MAYBE up, specifically pane on the left more informative 25% targeting things for navigatng the and relevant NO I’ve discussed in inbox, while seeing 18.2% information, like 39.4% emails or based on the message on the MAYBE NO the local weather, past searches right side news, widgets, etc Don’t know or have never used 42.4% 91% YES Difficulties in going an app, which aggregated Hard to organize back to the original Too much their text/chat messages from mail / always email you are junk mail and searching multiple apps in one app answering retailer ads Survey Results (Continuation) 11
Does it Make Sense to Create a Message Aggregator? Security and Trust
WHY USERS FELT IT MADE SENSE WHY USERS FELT IT DIDN’T MADE SENSE Users were asked if they agree with this statement:
“I would be really hesitant to use an app like this “I don’t think about the type of message or which “They are used for different types of things, so if you because it would require giving authorization from app the message comes from when I am sending had them both one would just feel like clutter for the pretty much all of my accounts to it. That’s a lot of messages.” other.” data and it would take a lot to make me trust it.” “Sometimes messages can sip through the crack, when “Separate apps have separate features. For example, I you are using mutiple apps.” only use WhatsApp for my international friends.”
“I don’t like being distracted by other parts of an app.” “I use LinkedIn for specific types of conversations so I like it native to the site. I am more professional, I’ll edit 32.4% Not surprisingly, “Time Optimization” my comments more carefully, and I may want to link NO or follow up on something from that site, so built-in the majority of “They are all considered direct/private messages, so I 67.6% makes sense in these cases.” users agreed. don’t see why you shouldn’t lump them together.” YES “Apps can get hacked and I prefer to keep my “It would save me time so I wouldn’t have to open messages private.” multiple apps to respond to different text/chat communications.” “Because each app is so different.”
“Because it would reduce having to view multiple “It only gives user a perception of saving time, when apps.” in truth everything depends on the user’s hand typing speed.” “One stop shop for simply messaging would be very convenient and accommodate the app preferences of my contacts leading to a more open line of communication.”
“More convenient to check everything at once.” Felt it made sense and 38% 29.4% were unsure. “It wouldn’t hurt to include social messages as well, if the user wants them. “
“Save time by just checking on app. I hardly get texts on facebook unless they are important.” 12 Survey Results (Continuation)
Security and Trust, Coninuation
Users were then asked:
Assuming that this app used the most advanced “Nothing, there is always a way to hack stuff.” “Nothing, it’s not about trust issues.” security measures, what would make you feel safe “The fact that it uses advanced security is enough. I’m “I’m sure I’ve already given away my data without even enough that you might trust an app similar to the one already used to giving away access.” realizing.” described in this survey? “I would just trust it, my messages are not that useful to “I would trust it.” “As long as my data and information wasn’t being shared others.” “Maybe Couldn’t even the most advanced security with any other organizations or app. I would use it. As ─ “If it doesn’t store data on its own server, and doesn’t use measures possibly be hacked?” long as the messages were encrypted the way iMessage it for marketing, sales, or research and the data belongs to is, I would be comfortable using it.” me.” “If the app is useful, I generally don’t have issues “Never.” trusting it with basic data.” “Not sure.” “Proper communication of security measures to users. Easily understandable privacy information. A nice “No, I like having different apps. If one fails, I fallback on modern looking UI helps give credibility.” another app to communicate.”
“I would like to try something like this.” “I don’t trust any app.”
“Two factor authentication.” “Maybe, but even the most secure can still be compromised.” “Two way encription, similar to what is done in WhatsApp.” “No. If this data was stored on a private server it would be a game breaker for me. I would be concerned with trusting “I doubt anything would. I don’t like giving permissions.” a company to keep my private communication safe from “Honestly, maybe nothing. Companies we trust for years hackers to the point where I would not feel comfortable with are constantly reporting data breaches.” an app like this.”
“Nothing.” “It depends, apart from the function I will also consider about the look and other stuff.” “Strong password/authentication processes.” “Some form of encryption.” “I think if the app only asked for access to messages I would be fine with it, but I don’t think I’d give any other “Yes, if it protected me.” permissions.” “A unique identifier and password for each person.” “Not much.” “Reviews.”