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Integration

The Problem

My problem with the various to-do and project management apps out there (read: Basecamp), is that they don't move as fast as your brain or the real world. They quickly become an administrative burden requiring you to constantly log into the app (whether web or mobile) in order to update status, comment, or crossing things off. So how do you fix this? I think I may have a solution...and it has to do with integration.

The Idea

First, consider the things most people are plugged into all day. In descending order of prevalence, it's likely the following web apps:
  • Gmail
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Next, instead of having people logging into your own native app constantly, why not leverage those technologies that people are already using.  If they don't have to leave these places to interact with your solution, then it's more likely your rate of usage (and therefore value in the customer's mind) will be higher.  It all comes down to integration.

The Solution

If I was to build a simple web app to track my to-do list, I would do the following:
  1. Build the simple web app (something like Teux Deux)
  2. Next, integrate Twitter's O-Auth and API
  3. Develop a Twitter syntax to allowing the user to send tweets to add and cross things off the list
  4. Finally, and this is key, provide daily DM (direct message), showing the status of the current and most pressing to-do list items
One company that does integrate with Twitter using 3 of the 4 techniques is  Evernote. Note:  I realize that Basecamp and some others have integrated email replies to post comments, but you can't send or reply to an email to add an item or cross something off. You should follow @seanMeverett on Twitter here.
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