Hi there,
I am looking to build a dedicated social app for lovers of books where those who read and are passionate about reading would find their community and refuge.
This is the pitch and some ideas for features and I'd like to start a discussion on whether you think it is a good idea and what could be excellent features for an app like this.
– I always found the experience of buying books in person problematic because you cannot know the contents of the book based on just the cover and short blurb. The first feature of the platform would be a cover page (and/or ISBN number) to open an online page of the book and either save it for buying later or get a more detailed description on the contents along with most interesting sections (quotes from the text). I know there is a few small solutions for this in existence but they only cover this feature
– have an option to read out loud for your family and friends and share it via the app and enrich it with background music, sound effects and visualization (powered with AI) – i.e. anyone can create an audio book for their friends and family and potentially become an influencer on the platform
– have an option to follow other friends or book reviewers about what they read and their posts on the books they've read i.e. a stream of opinions on a book just like goodreads.
– Achievements similar to Audible but also with a social aspect which can entice friendly competition
– have forum like community discussions for entertainment (for example bad retelling of books, best book you've never read, stay away etc.)
– have for example a section dedicated to reading music where you can select background music while you read (like on Youtube but it exists in here to delight you as well) or potentially the mood of the music to change as you're reading if you tell the app on which page you are (in case of physical books)
– online reader i.e. being able to read through the app
What do you think about this kind of an idea and would you pay for a premium level of service for something like this and what kind of features it would need to have to warrant a subscription?
For example one idea for a premium level is that you can read out loud for your friends and family for free for about 2 hours a month but to read them the whole book (if it is longer) and add background music/effects you'd need to pay for a premium version of the app.
by INBobanodGuncata