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Simple launches Android app

twotoasters.com

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Re: Simple launches Android app

#2

Post by ben1040 »

So the technology platform is Simple's main product (after all, they're not a bank, that part is left up to their bank partner), right?

In light of that, it seems odd that they'd farm out the development of one of the biggest customer-facing parts of that platform to a third party.

Re: Simple launches Android app

#3

Post by sjmulder »

They see to have made a really nice custom styled app while still remaining true to modern Android conventions. Well done.

It would be cool if banks could license their code (for a hefty fee) because the apps by banks here in thee Netherlands aren’t very good at all.

Re: Simple launches Android app

#4

Post by MatthewPhillips »

This is very well done. Usually I'm skeptical when a startup elects not to do the Android app themselves; it's often a sign that they don't really care about the platform. But in this case it's obvious that Two Toasters cares deeply, and I'm sure they weren't the cheapest option, so that shows that Simple cares as well.

In the future it might be smart for startups whose care value isn't in the UI, to only do their web apps themselves and outsource the native apps to experts in the platforms, with guidance of course.

Re: Simple launches Android app

#5

Post by felideon »

I am going to be in quite the conundrum when I get a Simple invite. On the one hand, I think what they're doing is awesome — for me, namely, the Safe-to-spend feature. I currently keep track of this in a not-so-accurate Excel spreadsheet and in my head.

On the other hand, I currently use Perkstreet's debit card for everything and the 1% cash back adds up in a noticeably short period of time.

I wonder if the 1% cash back is worth the grunt work that Simple would make quite, well, simple.

Re: Simple launches Android app

#6

Post by yarianluis »

MatthewPhillips wrote: post #4

This is very well done. Usually I'm skeptical when a startup elects not to do the Android app themselves; it's often a sign that they don't really care about the platform. But in this case it's obvious that Two Toasters cares deeply, and I'm sure they weren't the cheapest option, so that shows that Simple cares as well. In the future it might be smart for startups whose care value isn't in the UI, to only do their we…

I thought the same thing initially. That they did not care about Android as much. After all this app is released over eight months after the iOS and on top of that it's outsourced?

But according to Simple's official blog statement they actually consulted with TwoToasters and have their own Android team.

https://simple.com/blog/Banking/announcing-simple-for-androi...

Incidentally, their jobs page has an opening for an Android engineer:

http://banksimple.theresumator.com/apply/phViRT/Android-Engi...

Re: Simple launches Android app

#7

Post by dublinben »

ben1040 wrote: post #2

So the technology platform is Simple's main product (after all, they're not a bank, that part is left up to their bank partner), right? In light of that, it seems odd that they'd farm out the development of one of the biggest customer-facing parts of that platform to a third party.

I doubt anyone who uses the app will ever know it was designed by this firm. The branding will just say "Simple" and people will get hooked on their service.

Re: Simple launches Android app

#8

Post by johng »

I have a simple account and the simple app on my Android phone. It's top notch. And while I've run into an issue with them refusing to work with my paypal account (because the paypal account shows a business name and my simple bank account is a personal account) -- the tech support was at least friendly about it. So far I like what they are doing.

Re: Simple launches Android app

#9

Post by nleach »

ben1040 wrote: post #2

So the technology platform is Simple's main product (after all, they're not a bank, that part is left up to their bank partner), right? In light of that, it seems odd that they'd farm out the development of one of the biggest customer-facing parts of that platform to a third party.

In my experience Simple's main product is customer service (and delight). They're great at leveraging technology to accomplish this, but I'd say they're far from being a technology company.

In an ideal world I'm sure they would have created their app in-house, but it looks like outsourcing the development left them with a quality final product. Seems like a smart enough choice to me.

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