After many delays and spending entirely too long in pre-launch, I have finally been able to get Virgo 19 established as an Android, app maker. Virgo 19 will be operating as an arm of Route-17 Pty Ltd. We made this distinction because we have bigger plans for Route 17 as a whole.

The first major app off the production line of Virgo 19 is the Tea Tracker. I am a big tea drinker with a substantial collection of tea tins. I don't like putting ugly physical labels on them. Besides, I like trying different teas, so the tea tins usually have an ever changing array of teas insides. So I always wanted an app to track my tins and tea. I couldn't find the app I wanted, so that seemed like the right app for Virgo 19 to establish itself with.

It was great experience making the app. But one of the biggest surprises post launch was how people wanted a save button! Initial designs for the app did include a save button on the "Add Tea" activity screen. However, we decided to drop it as a redundant function since the back button auto saved the information. But the lack of a save button seems to bother the early adopters. So now we are thinking about how to put it in without cluttering the screen, which was another factor in deciding to drop the button.

Further expansion plans for the app include adding a tea collection management activity. That tracks tea purchase history and allows users to add new teas they want to try. Plus a shopping list to help them replenish their tea stock. Maybe even a shareable wishlist function, especially ahead of Christmas.

It is a niche app. But the mobile market is now mature enough that focusing on niches is better than chasing "everybody". So focusing on tea lovers seem like as good a starting point as any..