App Showcase: QANDA

What it does

QANDA is a comprehensive study application designed to help students solve complex problems and understand underlying concepts. Its primary feature is a camera-based scanner that instantly recognizes and solves math or science problems from a photo. Beyond just providing answers, the app offers a suite of tools including a conversational AI Tutor, a built-in calculator, a community forum for peer discussion, and a social study timer.

Where it shines

The app's strength lies in its multi-layered approach to learning. The photo solver delivers near-instant results (01:33), satisfying the need for immediate homework help. For users who need more than just an answer, the AI Tutor provides detailed, conversational explanations of broader topics like "what is algebra" (03:37). Finally, the social study timer (05:57) transforms studying from a solitary chore into a shared, motivating experience by showing users how many others are currently active.

UX highlights

• Contextual Permissions: The app requests access to the camera (01:11) and photo library (01:15) only when the user first tries to use the photo-solving feature, which is a great practice.
• Integrated Toolkit: The home screen provides easy access to a variety of tools like the Calculator, AI Tutor, and Timer, positioning the app as a central study hub.
• Clear Solution Hierarchy: After a problem is solved, the app presents a quick answer first, with clear entry points to a more detailed, step-by-step explanation (01:37), catering to different user needs.
• AI Follow-up Prompts: The AI Tutor doesn't just answer a question; it suggests follow-up questions (03:53), encouraging curiosity and deeper learning.
• Community Filtering: The community section is neatly divided into tabs like "Life talk" and "Study talk" (07:23), helping users find relevant content easily.

Monetization & growth

The primary monetization strategy visible in the recording is a subscription for an ad-free experience. A banner on the home screen prompts users to "Try it FREE" (02:21), leading to a paywall that clearly lists the benefits of subscribing. The offer is a 1-week free trial that converts to a monthly subscription of $1.29. This model is straightforward and targets users who are actively using the app and may be annoyed by ads interrupting their study flow. There is also a coin-based system for asking human teachers, but the details of acquiring coins are not shown.

Who it’s for

The app is clearly aimed at students, ranging from middle school to the undergraduate level, as indicated by the grade selection screen during onboarding (00:57). It serves two main use cases: students who need immediate, accurate answers for homework assignments, and self-directed learners who want to use the AI tutor and community features to better understand concepts and stay motivated.

Notes & opportunities

While the app is powerful, the user journey to different features could be smoother. For example, after getting a photo solution, there isn't a direct prompt to discuss the concept with the AI Tutor. A user has to navigate back to the home screen to find it. The coin system for asking human teachers (05:13) also feels disconnected; the cost is shown, but how to earn or buy coins isn't immediately obvious, potentially causing friction for users wanting to access this premium feature.