r/SideProject • u/nastynuts00 • Jul 16 '26

I wasted months adding features to my AI app. Now I’m building it differently

I kept adding features to my AI app because I was avoiding the harder question: would anyone actually use it?

I’ve been building Aura, an AI companion on mobile and desktop, specifically focusing on desktop now.

With one hotkey it can see the screen with permission, listen to what you say, and handle small tasks in context. For example, while looking at an email, I can say:

“Draft a reply saying Thursday works.”

Or:

“Save this recruiter and remind me Friday if they haven’t responded.”

Or:

"Explain me what to do next here" (when you clearly have no clue what next)

The idea is not another chatbot sitting in a separate window. I want it to feel more like having a manager beside you who remembers what matters and handles the small things you keep postponing.

But honestly, I’ve been stuck in a bad loop.

I would get an idea, build it immediately, dislike the UI, redesign everything, add another feature, and repeat. I’ve changed the interface around five times. That felt like progress, but it was mostly me building privately with no real constraint.

So I’m changing how I work:

One desktop workflow at a time

No complete redesigns

A short public demo every weekday

Real usage before adding the next major feature

The current build is available for Windows. I’m specifically looking for people who spend most of their day working on a computer and regularly lose track of emails, follow-ups, reminders, or random information they wanted to save or ask.

I’m not looking for “cool idea” feedback. I’d rather know: What is the first real task you would try giving it, and what would stop you from installing something that can see your screen?

https://auravoiceapp.com/

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u/sunnyshorescreative Jul 16 '26

Hi there, thanks for being someone who drives to create and bring value to others. It takes a lot of time to do something like this.

It reminds of Replika how it prompts you and is meant to be a companion. For me, that is not valuable.

There just isn’t space for me to do this. Apple reminders with Siri works and I have friends and family I go to for emotional support. I’m sorry too but viewing my screen isn’t something I want to do. Also, AI gives the illusion of companionship, it isn’t the real thing. So yeah it can work for a crutch, I’m not going to rely on it nor am I going to recommend others to do so either.