Roast my idea - A new kind of podcast note-taking
Usually when I'm podcasting, I'm multi-tasking. It's why it's such a great medium. Depending on what podcast I'm listening to, there are plenty of times I go, "Ooo I want to remember that, let me write that down."
I started researching podcast note taking apps because I wanted to start to organize these, as opposed to my notes app. I also figured there's probably something better out there for quick note grabbing.
I was right. There are some fantastic ones - Snipd, Airr, plenty of others.
This might be an irrational thought, but almost right away as I started using these, I said, "ehh I don't want a whole new podcast player. I just want a better way to take podcast notes and organize them". Maybe that's dumb as I'm looking for a podcast note taking app. They're there... Buy in.
But consider me stubborn. If I'm stubborn about this, maybe others are too.
My Idea:
A podcast note gathering app that pairs with your existing podcast player of choice - Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Overcast, etc. As you are listening, you take a screenshot of your Lock Screen. The app recognizes it's a screenshot with a podcast playing, parses the text, transcribes the audio, creates a note, and organizes it under that podcast and episode. The photos screenshot is removed. You can then go into the app and make edits, notes, etc.
As an indie iOS developer, I think this is "technically" possible. I'm curious what others think of the idea. I love it, but have others found a similar problem with the current podcast note taking solutions?
I've created some screen mockups to help illustrate the idea. https://imgur.com/c3lrP0Q
EDIT:
I put together a landing page to capture some emails if you're interested in receiving updates when I have a beta - https://potes.webflow.io.
A podcast notetaking app would make amazing sense. I definitely won't switch my podcast app just for notetaking. If it can integrate with my current app, amazing.
My issue with your idea is, it requires too much hand activity from the user's side. As you noted, listening to a podcast is very similar to listening to radio, it is a mostly passive exercise while you drive, commute or do chores. So requiring user's active interaction with hands does not align with regular activity.
From my point of view for this to work it requires voice activation. Like an "OK Google, take a Castnote" (yup, Android user here) kinda thing. So it could capture the actual timecode from the podcast episode, transcribe, etc.
Bonus points for automation (like sending the transcribed bit to another notetaking app).
Although I am not sure how would the app know when to end the transcription. "OK Google, end Castnote" maybe?
Great feedback!
I didn't/don't want to change podcast players as well, hence where this idea was born.
Great points regarding the "hand activity". Initially I thought screenshots (aka 2 hands hit both buttons on your iPhone to take a screenshot). The tech stack in my head requires parsing the screenshot.
However, I know you can also use Siri to take a screenshot. You could either do that or maybe it's possible for me to build a custom phrase like, "Hey Siri - take a Pote" (my app is informally called Potes).
What note taking app do you use? That's a common request - auto integration to your preferred note taking service.
Regarding the transcription, I think the idea is the user requests a note when they heard (past tense) something they like. From there you'd only need to look back and not figure out when to end moving forward.
FYI - I put together a landing page to capture some emails if you're interested in receiving updates when I have a beta - https://potes.webflow.io.
Hello.
https://pixellogo.com/blogs/pixellogo-blog-1/stock-logos-and-how-to-find-and-use-them
I would recommend using a button on the lock screen instead of screenshotting. That is an interesting idea, so I would still try both methods. I suspect the button will be easier for users.
Thanks for the feedback.
I'll have to explore Lock Screen widgets and whether or not they can generate a screenshot. The reason screenshots are key is because I will rely on parsing the screenshot to figure out what podcast is playing and what time you're at.
Under my current design, I won't have access to the audio because I'm not the app playing the audio and I don't currently want to build an RSS player. That would then make me the podcast player, which is one of the strengths of the idea (use whatever player you like). Without access to the audio, screenshots is the only way I think I can get the data I'd need.
FYI - I put together a landing page to capture some emails if you're interested in receiving updates when I have a beta - https://potes.webflow.io.
Had a similar idea. https://joshdance.medium.com/how-to-take-notes-on-podcasts-d30e9233191
Seems difficult to get integrated with other players so it would have to be something that can work independently.
Great article Josh. You were certainly ahead of the game back in 2019. I believe both Airr and Snipd have come since your initial post and definitely take a good stab at some of the features you list in your article.
I agree on the integration. I actually don't want to integrate. I'd prefer the user use whatever podcast player they want, and truly think that's one of the strengths of this idea. My app would be responsible for taking the screenshot and building from there.
Curious if you and others see a ton of value in that being one of the strengths. "Use whatever service you like, we don't care. We're an extension to your favorite podcast player."
"Use whatever service you like, we don't care. We're an extension to your favorite podcast player." is strong. Most people won't switch players and all their podcasts so that is key.
Definitely strong. Sounds like integration to existing note taking services is strong as well.
FYI - I put together a landing page to capture some emails if you're interested in receiving updates when I have a beta - https://potes.webflow.io.
How about an audio version of you're idea? Clip the audio part of what the user feels is important, then transcribe the audio and create a note with various organisation features. Maybe the user might only like the audio clip saved? Solves the problem of the app involving too much user activity?
This integrating-without-integration approach is generally a guaranteed winner if the product experience doesn't generate any excess friction (it's the kind of rocket fuel behind every PLG success story). Go for it.
I think as a concept this exists in a kind of technician's lacuna - a spot full of high-value ideas that only seem to attract less-able developers and product thinkers. If you as an indie developer can take advantage of the lack of technical insight being applied to this kind of idea you could build quite a wave, especially given the podcasting craze has yet to begin any meaningful decline.
I'd suggest that you also create a kind of endpoint (in a UX sense, not as in an API) for the notes users create through the app. You're solving a problem by allowing people to create notes without having to commit to a new software; don't re-establish a mirrored version of the same issue by locking those notes up in your app. Make it easy to send them to the kind of platforms your users are likely to work on (e.g. GDocs etc.), and ensure that formatting is easy after they get sent.
Thanks for the thoughtful reply. You said it much better than me.
Yes, the more I think through this idea and talk with those who see this as an improvement to their current process, the more I see great value in being the middleman.
My apps responsibilities are to initiate the note, transcribe it, and send it on it's way in an organized way to the user's preferred note platform. I don't think anyone does that today and personally see incredible value in it.
One thing I'm not sure on is the podcast note taking market size. Podcasting... huge. Do a lot of people capture notes? Would more capture notes with a vastly improved solution like this?
You're very welcome, always happy to lend an ear and a thought to these kinds of things where I can.
On your last point - I'm not sure either, and that's one of the things that makes me think this is worth rolling the dice on. You may find that the only reason lots of people don't do it is because all available options make it impractical. Or you may find that it attracts a passionate smaller userbase with great retention; you can expand your offering or bridge into other things from there.
Had the same idea of note taking while listening to a podcast.
I think the key thing is handless annotation while listening e.g driving or running.
If that can be solved then the path of success for podcast note taking will be in reach.
You can definitely use Siri to take a screenshot. I think I could build a custom phrase as well with Siri. A widget might be possible for the times when you have hands access to your Lock Screen and don't want to speak/screen shot is less convenient.
I wonder how many people take various notes when podcasting. Also, how many more people would take notes if it was so simple to clip and organize them like this.
I like it. I personally wouldn't mind the screenshot activation as I'm really used to doing this (I probably have dozens of podcast screenshots on my photos right now). I'd be willing to pay for the app, but probably just as a one-time purchase, not as a subscription.
Actually, it sounds like a great idea. I've been looking for something like that.
In terms of your execution, I don't think a screenshot is a way to go (I'm not technical so these are just suggestions). Probably more of an integration for one app as a start and then move to the rest. Start with Apple Podcasts (if they make the licencing easy) and add a widget or plugin that can track a specific duration of the pod and transcribe it internally.
The best example is when we select and copy text (if that's feasible), apply it to a certain podcast chapter. But instead of dragging, apply the 3-click rule, long tap on a timepoint (first second), long-tap on second point (last second) and then the integration understands it and opens up a menu for naming and saving.
Start with iOS native apps, and then proceed to Spotify etc.
Being technical, one of my common struggles I have is taking the technology and fitting it to a problem. I'm trying not to do that here, however I believe there are 2 technical options (on iOS that is, I can't speak to Android):
1's greatest strength is use any player you want, which is strong. People don't like change and there are some many feature rich podcast players.
WIth 2, I get access to the audio playing because it's coming from my player. It opens the door for widgets to do some action with the audio, other features podcast players have.
Personally, I think 1 is very strong, but I'm curious what you think?
I think the idea is great but the problem is that its hard to get people change their notetaking app easily according to what you showed try make it easier
I own a DEV agency https://criov.com/ and usually my customers request less actions cuz too many steps makes people RUN
Not changing your podcast player is one of the strengths, but that's a great point and a very common piece of feedback. Integration to popular note taking apps seems key, almost as if my app would act as a middleman.
Do you write down podcast notes in a notes service (Evernote, Notion, etc.)?
FYI - I put together a landing page to capture some emails if you're interested in receiving updates when I have a beta - https://potes.webflow.io.
Time based comments would be swell. Like SoundCloud does. It could either be private or shared. Furthermore, this could be a key learning resource/ api/plugin for people to teachers to embed podcasts / add comments etc. Some great possibilities. I work in education and technology and can see some legs. Jag @ https://justjag.education/
When you say "time based comments", are you talking about showing the timestamp (ex. 4:03)? If so, are you also asking to be able to hear the audio around that timestamp?
FYI - I put together a landing page to capture some emails if you're interested in receiving updates when I have a beta - https://potes.webflow.io.
I am thinking as an educator. To be able to 'digitally annotate' a piece of sound. Or create a standalone piece of learning. Everything visual can be explained easy - sound is tricky. Can i extract /share a clip / etc
Love this idea. I had been thinking about it for audiobooks as well (though admittedly didn't look long for a solution for that).
Definitely something I'd be willing to pay for, especially if it then integrated with Evernote, where I store all my notes.
Thanks for the feedback. I think this could absolutely apply for audiobooks as well and certainly opens up a whole new avenue. Integration to existing note platforms is the number one piece of feedback I've received, so I believe it will be included in the MVP.
I put together a landing page to capture some emails if you're interested in receiving updates when I have a beta - https://potes.webflow.io.