Rock Identifier: Stone ID

What it does

Rock Identifier is a comprehensive mobile toolkit for geology enthusiasts. Its primary function is to identify rocks, gems, and minerals from a user's photo. Beyond simple identification, the app provides a suite of related tools, including an AI-powered valuation feature to estimate a stone's market price, a magnetic detector that uses the phone's built-in sensor, and an extensive educational library filled with guides, articles, and detailed information on various minerals.

Where it shines

The app excels at integrating its features into a cohesive, useful experience. A standout moment occurs at 01:02 when the app detects the user is trying to take a photo in a dark environment. It first alerts the user that it's "Too dark," then immediately suggests setting up the premium "Offline Mode." This contextual upsell is brilliant, offering a solution at the exact moment of need. Another strong point is the integrated feedback loop (01:42), which asks users to verify the accuracy of identifications, making them feel like contributors while simultaneously improving the AI model.

UX highlights

The app's core functions are organized into a clean, three-tab navigation for "Valuation," "Identify," and "Detector," making it easy to access the main tools (00:48).
Before taking a photo, the app presents helpful "Snap Tips" (00:51), a quick tutorial that shows examples of good and bad photos to improve identification accuracy.
The identification process includes a satisfying scanning animation (01:23) that provides visual feedback while the AI works.
Identified rocks can be saved to a personal "Collection," which is well-organized with tabs for a wishlist and history (02:25).
The content library includes features like an interactive reading progress bar (04:29) and brightness controls (04:33), enhancing the experience of reading long-form guides.
The app consistently uses feedback prompts after key AI actions, gathering data on both identification and valuation accuracy (02:53).

Monetization & growth

Monetization is front and center. Immediately after handling initial system permissions, the app presents a soft paywall with a 7-day free trial for its premium subscription (00:12). The value propositions are clearly listed with clean, animated bullet points. After a successful subscription, a dedicated welcome screen (00:36) reinforces the purchase by showcasing the unlocked premium features. Premium benefits, like the offline mode, are also cleverly upsold contextually within the app's main flow.

Who it’s for

Rock Identifier is designed for a range of users, from curious beginners and students to serious hobbyists and rock collectors. The simple photo identification makes it accessible for anyone who finds an interesting stone on a walk. The detailed property information, valuation tool, and extensive guides cater to more experienced users who want to deepen their knowledge and manage their collections.

Notes & opportunities

While the feedback prompts are smart, asking for feedback after both identification and valuation in short succession could feel slightly repetitive to some users. The UI for the book reader (04:17) has a different aesthetic (light mode, different controls) from the main app's dark-mode interface, creating a minor design inconsistency. Consolidating these styles could create a more unified user experience.