Idea #17: Legal Document Analyzer App

The Problem

Every website under the sun has long EULAs, Privacy Policies, Terms of Use, etc that we all theoretically read but let’s face it … we don’t. There could be anything in there and yet we still check the box saying we agree to it. This is a terrible habit for humanity in the long-term.

The Solution

A Mac app that analyzes legal documents based on parameters you give it and highlights potential problem sections for you to skim/read to determine if a given website meets your predefined standards.

Example

If a given service has the right to sell or share my info (ie, email) I would like to know.

Idea #10: Touch-enhanced Animation Software

The Problem

I do a lot of corporate animations and they are pretty straightforward a lot of flying across the screen-easy 2D work. I can’t tell you how much I just want to grab the element and move it the way I want it to move, smooth out (reduce) the keys with a drag of my finger, the rotate my fingers to change the easing. Basically, the same tools you already give me, but with my fingers. Ahhh. That’d be nice.

The Solution

Something like the 2D motion sketch panel in After Effects but don’t be so literal with the movement. In fact, I could even tap where I want the keys. Give me control but make it easy. 

This one tool on an iPad would give me the ability to animate 50% or more of what I do on a daily basis.

Dear adobe, at some point in the future I will animate you a GUI of what this should look like you don’t even need to give me credit just steal the idea and make millions that’s what this blog is all about. The reality is until Apple gives us Max Os X on the iPad or touch on the MacBook it ain’t a rush.

Idea #9: Task-based Multi-Application Launching

The Problem

I want to work on my comic book project (or whatever complicated project) on my computer right where I left it yesterday, but I’ve had to work on another project in the interim, so all the apps are closed out. I have to reopen all the apps (Photoshop, Sketchbook, Scrivener, Indesign, sometimes After Effects, sometimes illustrator, not to mention all my base apps of Things, Evernote, Chrome, etc) and then I have to open all the files and navigate through tons of finder windows. Not to mention organize my workspace panels in adobe software, load pallettes, brushes etc. UGH. After 10-15 minutes or more i’m finally able to get going.

Why can’t I just tell my computer “I want to continue drawing on my comic book project right where I left off” 

The Solution

Task-based, project-based application launching, file opening, and workspace arrangement.

Allow me to make the top 10 tasks I perform on my computer like spotlight bookmarks so that I don’t have to launch 5 different applications every time I change gears. In addition, you already have a list of my recently opened files and know what folders they are saved in (aka, what projects they are associated with). Just open it.

Browsers already use this concept

A “folder” of “bookmarks” can be made at the top of your browser that gives the option if you left click to open just one bookmark, or open them all at once. 

Calendars already use smart quick entry

Um why can’t spotlight do this … ? i guess it’s not the 21st century after all

The workspace feature of OS X attempts to make this feature work

the problem with workspace is it’s only plausible if you have 32+gb of RAM if you work on any kind of serious visual production work. I run 16gb on my home computer … no way I can have all those apps and files open with that. Not to mention mac laptops cap out at 16gb even the “pro” versions

Other things I want to tell my computer

Surf pinterest for more ideas for “project name” (it knows what I was researching first time so it could start there, for example)

Catch up on news on the middle east (pull up my favorite news sites and search for the middle east)

What’s happening in the lives of my classmates (pull info from all my classmates fb pages and display it like pinterest)

People with birthdays coming up in the next 6 weeks (pull from fb or calendar)

Purge duplicate photos using XXXXX app

Make a photo book using flickr not apple photos

I’d like to write in my journal and add some recent photos and audio

I’d like to edit that video I recorded on sunday afternoon using Premiere

I’d like to plan my week 

Other features

Give me the ability to tag certain files as “project files” these are the files that usually actively reference dependent files (aka,“assets” in my industry). The name is irrelevant its the ability to create these dependencies I want.

Idea #8: Endless Audio Recording

The Problem

I want to remember word-for-word what I talk about with key people at key moments in my business and personal life and have it quickly and easily retrievable within a few clicks, but I rarely remember to start an audio recorder at these key moments. It could be advice, lectures, talks, jokes, speeches, tender moments, networking information, and more.

The Solution

Always-on audio recording on my mobile phone with the ability to put a “marker” in time using a volume button. The marker registers the moment and the moments surrounding it as important making it easy to find what you’re looking for.

Is it plausible?

Storage

An hour’s worth of high-quality audio recording is about 30mb so that’s 1.8gb of audio per day for the 16 hours a day that I am a awake. For the entire year that’s 687 gb of audio. In any given day I would probably only place 1-2 markers on average. Let’s face it, most things in most days aren’t really worth remembering.

A simple databasing feature that has you tag the markers daily/weekly would make it easy to pull out the conversations and information that is most meaningful.

In addition, after the important events are marked, you could clear out all the remaining unneeded audio.

Battery Life

No idea the implications in this arena, but it sounds like trouble. Good think I’m usually close to computers/charging stations.

Other uses

Legal uses

I’m not a lawyer, but if there was a dispute, having an audio recording of every conversation I’ve been in over the last year seems helpful, not to mention documentation of where I was and who I was with.

Education

Ever attended an amazing lecture that wasn’t recorded? Me too. Never forget anything again.

Journaling

Ever wanted to reference in your journal an important conversation you’ve had with friends family or God but didn’t want to go through and record every last tidbit? Or perhaps you were worried you forgot some of it already? Just pull the audio straight into your journal.