(Not Boring) Calculator

What it does

The (Not Boring) Calculator is a replacement for the stock calculator app, designed with a focus on aesthetics and user experience. It handles basic arithmetic operations but wraps the entire process in a layer of playful animations, satisfying sounds, and tactile feedback. The app aims to transform a mundane daily task into a small moment of delight.

Where it shines

The app's commitment to its "not boring" premise is where it excels. The moment you enter your first number (00:34), you realize this isn't a standard utility. Numbers land with a satisfying, bouncy animation and a subtle click, making them feel like physical objects. This tactile feedback is consistent across the app. Another standout moment is the "Tap to Fix Mistakes" feature (00:39), which elegantly solves the common frustration of having to restart a calculation after a typo. It makes the entire process feel more forgiving and fluid.

UX highlights

Tactile Inputs: Every button press is accompanied by visual, audio, and likely haptic feedback, creating a rich, multi-sensory interaction that feels incredibly responsive.
Animated Results: Calculations don't just appear. They pop into place with a springy animation (00:55), providing a small moment of positive reinforcement.
Non-Destructive Editing: The ability to tap the calculation history to edit previous entries is a significant UX improvement over traditional calculators, saving time and reducing frustration.
Zero-Friction Onboarding: The app gets you to the core functionality in seconds. A single splash screen (00:08) sets the tone, and then you're straight into the calculator, no questions asked.
Contextual Prompts: Features like the mistake-fixing tool are introduced with simple, well-timed text prompts, avoiding a heavy tutorial.
Playful Typography: The large, bold, and animated typography is the centerpiece of the user interface, making numbers themselves the primary design element.

Monetization & growth

The app monetizes primarily through aesthetic customization. After a user is familiar with the app, they can discover the "Plus" subscription (00:17), which unlocks premium features like custom skins. A prominent "Lifetime" option is offered alongside monthly and yearly plans. The app also uses a collection of other high-design apps as a cross-promotion vehicle. The paywall itself is supported by strong social proof, including an Apple Design Award badge and testimonials from well-known tech figures (00:25).

Who it’s for

This app is for users who appreciate design, attention to detail, and a high degree of polish in their software, even for simple utilities. It targets individuals who are willing to pay a premium for a superior user experience and aesthetic customization. It's not for power users needing scientific functions, but for anyone who uses a basic calculator regularly and wants that interaction to be more enjoyable.

Notes & opportunities

While the focus on delight is a major strength, the app keeps its feature set very focused. There's an opportunity to bring this same design philosophy to more complex functions, perhaps as part of the premium tier. The discovery of the settings and skins menu (01:42) is entirely user-driven, which maintains a clean interface but might mean some users miss the monetization features entirely. A subtle, one-time hint towards the customization options after a few sessions could increase conversion without being intrusive.