It all started while I was using the Arc browser to watch live streams and online courses on YouTube. I’d often find myself juggling between tabs or applications, trying to keep the video in view while working on other tasks. It was frustrating, and I knew there had to be a better way to stay focused and productive. Around the same time, I noticed a fascinating trend on TikTok: the “two videos in one” format. These videos pair unrelated clips side-by-side, captivating viewers by offering multiple points of interest. The psychology behind their success got me thinking—what if this concept of dual engagement could be applied to productivity tools? This realization marked the beginning of my journey to build a macOS app that not only solved my multitasking problem but also redefined how users engage with content while they work. How the App Works The macOS app I developed is designed to meet the multitasking needs of modern users. It’s simple, effective, and productivity-focused: 1. Persistent Floating Windows: Users can pin a small content window that stays on top of other apps, ensuring uninterrupted access to critical information. 2. Flexible Content Support: The window can display anything from YouTube videos and live streams to web-based tools or dashboards. 3. Customizable Layouts: Users can resize and position the window to fit their workflow perfectly. 4. Seamless Integration: The app integrates smoothly into the macOS environment, keeping it lightweight and efficient. Inspired by the psychology of TikTok’s dual-engagement format, the app ensures users can focus on two tasks simultaneously without losing productivity. Reflections on Building the App Developing this app was as much about solving a technical problem as it was about understanding user psychology. From a technical standpoint, I used React Native to create a lightweight tool that integrates seamlessly into macOS. But beyond the technical challenges, this project taught me the value of observing trends and adapting them to new contexts. By taking inspiration from TikTok’s engagement strategies, I was able to create a product that doesn’t just meet functional needs but also resonates with how people actually work. The Broader Trend: Engagement as a Currency In today’s digital world, engagement is more than a metric—it’s a currency. Social media platforms like TikTok have mastered the art of capturing attention with innovative formats like “two videos in one.” These trends reveal key insights: 1. Engagement Is About Multiplicity: Offering more than one point of interest increases the chances of retaining user attention. 2. Short Attention Spans Drive Innovation: Formats that cater to these habits often outperform traditional approaches. For SaaS creators, the lesson is clear: products need to engage users on multiple levels. This doesn’t mean turning productivity tools into distractions, but rather designing them to work with how users naturally think and focus. Give It A Try On moment of writing this article app is available for free on launch on Gumroad! You can try it out and see how it fits into your workflow without any financial commitment. Whether you’re looking to simplify multitasking or experiment with dual-screen engagement, this tool is designed to enhance your productivity. I also see opportunities to expand beyond macOS. With multitasking challenges existing across platforms, there’s immense potential to bring this concept to Windows, Linux, and even mobile devices. Your Feedback Matters I built this app to solve my own multitasking frustrations, but I know that everyone’s workflow is unique. I’d love to hear from you—whether you’ve tried the app or have ideas for how it could evolve. • What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to multitasking? • Are there features you’d like to see added to the app? • Do you think trends like TikTok’s “two videos in one” could inspire other productivity tools? Your feedback will help shape the future of this app and my journey as a SaaS creator. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments or reach out directly—I’m excited to hear your ideas! Reach Out At: jirayr.melikyan.jm@gmail.com It all started while I was using the Arc browser to watch live streams and online courses on YouTube. I’d often find myself juggling between tabs or applications, trying to keep the video in view while working on other tasks. It was frustrating, and I knew there had to be a better way to stay focused and productive. Around the same time, I noticed a fascinating trend on TikTok: the “two videos in one” format. These videos pair unrelated clips side-by-side, captivating viewers by offering multiple points of interest. The psychology behind their success got me thinking—what if this concept of dual engagement could be applied to productivity tools? This realization marked the beginning of my journey to build a macOS app that not only solved my multitasking problem but also redefined how users engage with content while they work. How the App Works The macOS app I developed is designed to meet the multitasking needs of modern users. It’s simple, effective, and productivity-focused: 1. Persistent Floating Windows: Users can pin a small content window that stays on top of other apps, ensuring uninterrupted access to critical information. Persistent Floating Windows: 2. Flexible Content Support: The window can display anything from YouTube videos and live streams to web-based tools or dashboards. Flexible Content Support: 3. Customizable Layouts : Users can resize and position the window to fit their workflow perfectly. Customizable Layouts 4. Seamless Integration: The app integrates smoothly into the macOS environment, keeping it lightweight and efficient. Seamless Integration: Inspired by the psychology of TikTok’s dual-engagement format, the app ensures users can focus on two tasks simultaneously without losing productivity. Reflections on Building the App Developing this app was as much about solving a technical problem as it was about understanding user psychology. From a technical standpoint, I used React Native to create a lightweight tool that integrates seamlessly into macOS. But beyond the technical challenges, this project taught me the value of observing trends and adapting them to new contexts. By taking inspiration from TikTok’s engagement strategies, I was able to create a product that doesn’t just meet functional needs but also resonates with how people actually work. The Broader Trend: Engagement as a Currency In today’s digital world, engagement is more than a metric—it’s a currency. Social media platforms like TikTok have mastered the art of capturing attention with innovative formats like “two videos in one.” These trends reveal key insights: 1. Engagement Is About Multiplicity: Offering more than one point of interest increases the chances of retaining user attention. Engagement Is About Multiplicity: 2. Short Attention Spans Drive Innovation : Formats that cater to these habits often outperform traditional approaches. Short Attention Spans Drive Innovation For SaaS creators, the lesson is clear: products need to engage users on multiple levels. This doesn’t mean turning productivity tools into distractions, but rather designing them to work with how users naturally think and focus. Give It A Try On moment of writing this article app is available for free on launch on Gumroad ! You can try it out and see how it fits into your workflow without any financial commitment. Whether you’re looking to simplify multitasking or experiment with dual-screen engagement, this tool is designed to enhance your productivity. launch on Gumroad I also see opportunities to expand beyond macOS. With multitasking challenges existing across platforms, there’s immense potential to bring this concept to Windows, Linux, and even mobile devices. Your Feedback Matters I built this app to solve my own multitasking frustrations, but I know that everyone’s workflow is unique. I’d love to hear from you—whether you’ve tried the app or have ideas for how it could evolve. • What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to multitasking? • Are there features you’d like to see added to the app? • Do you think trends like TikTok’s “two videos in one” could inspire other productivity tools? Your feedback will help shape the future of this app and my journey as a SaaS creator. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments or reach out directly—I’m excited to hear your ideas! Reach Out At: jirayr.melikyan.jm@gmail.com
