Ethan - A messaging app for messaging Ethan

@gliechtenstein I would pay to have an app like this built/hosted for me. *hint hint*

@jtzou tomorrow: 'Jonathan - a messaging app for messaging Jonathan'

@jtzou but seriously, can this be white labeled? Not even sure where that gets us- but sounds interesting. Mack needs an app.

@gliechtenstein I'd love one of these for myself too! It's especially interesting for marketing/engagement purposes when you consider: email < sms < push notifications...

@miles_matthias I have the white label solution for this :). No, seriously. With an ability for you to segment "your" app users and send bulk messages as well :)

@rrhoover I wanted a fast way for my friends to message me--simply by opening the app--which is the only feature of the app. Also I've been off Facebook for a while so this is one way for people to reach me. Plus I own all the data. Also I can cut off annoying people easily if I wanted to. But then random people started downloading and I became sort of a virtual assistant at one point, finding music for romantic dinner or animes with dragons for them. Sometimes it's hard because they keep asking me questions while i'm sleeping. That's why I added the rules on the home page. I can see many different ways this can go (Already I'm meeting so many people coming from PH). But imagine a world where everyone can have their own chat app. You can have your own Ryan app easily if you wanted to! I posted here because I wanted to know what all the imaginative people on ProductHunt can see in this. Would love thoughts.

Thanks for the lunch recommendations, Ethan (@gliechtenstein). This is actually quite interesting. @itamarok compared it to everyone's favorite AIM bot, SmarterChild. (cc @beller @shaanvp) What kind of questions do people ask?

@gliechtenstein Off the top of my head this would be great way for people seeking to ask questions about the bible to send them to me.

@rrhoover bespoke apps are the new black. I think they are starting to become status symbols for some. Also, @gliechtenstein did we just help you pass the Turing Test?

@rrhoover One of the few times I've seen 'bespoke' used accurately and non-ironically. Or was it ironically?

@rrhoover Boom. Viral.

@rrhoover Need a 'As seen on Product Hunt' badge.

@rrhoover I like "Some Guy Named Ethan Made An App Called 'Ethan' That Lets Anyone Message Him. What Happened Next Will Blow Your Mind" better

@gliechtenstein Any updates on the personal ethan clones?

@nbashaw initially I built it so my friends can reach me. But random guys started downloading on the Appstore and talking to me. Sometimes I give them love advice. Sometimes I bullshit with them when they're bored. Sometimes I recommend them music. Sometimes I choose what clothing looks best on them. Sometimes I find anime with dragons for them. Today I decided to officially post it here so more people can enjoy the privilege.

@boyvanamstel So am I. I was under the impression Apple was still rejecting "personal" apps that didn't have a broad potential audience. If they aren't, I've got a number of apps coming.

@SacBookReviewer That crossed my mind as well. If you read the description on the App Store though, you could interpret it as if Ethan is an artificial intelligence.

@SacBookReviewer i think i've had a pretty broad audience today.

@gliechtenstein yes you did, and the app is very cool. Not throwing shade at all. My only comment is about app store approval, and if they've changed previous standards or if this was a fluke (or as Boy said you described it in a way that got it through.) We've had some opportunity to do apps for individuals before and didn't because our understanding of apple guidelines they probably wouldn't be approved. So this opens some doors for us if the standards have changed.

@SacBookReviewer oh i didn't mean to come off that way, i meant i intentionally described it so that it sounds like it's actually for a large audience, and as a matter of fact it actually is for a large audience

@nsbarr Not understanding what this would achieve or differentiate over the browser chat? I use Zopim on my business website and have the app, I talk to my customers via mobile all the time.

@joedandachli Not familair with Zopim, does it give your customers a white-label app to engage with your business wherever they are? I think there's a need for mobile customers to get help without going to the (in all likelihood not responsive) business website.

@nsbarr @joedandachli Check out my product Konotor - lets you do just that. You can add the chat within your app (like an iMessage within your app). Suitable for comcast, etc type folks. Working with 30 businesses reaching 4.5 million users. launched during early days of PH :)

@srikrishnang There are a lot of problems working with SMBs. I was just reading this last night and it matched a lot of the experiences we've had over the years - http://www.crashdev.com/2012/01/... Which is not to say there aren't local businesses that embrace new technology and opportunities, but they're a minority. On a project we're doing with the comic book industry, out of 2000 comic stores, the vast majority of them don't even have an email address for their website domain (or don't have a website).

@SacBookReviewer Hmmm. perhaps you are right. Though I'd say never underestimate the power and pull of a messaging experience :).

@srikrishnang Not disagreeing with you. Just saying that any business that focuses on SMBs is going to have a very tough hill to climb. We've been working with wineries for years, and mostly focus on getting money from the wine tourists over the wineries. Easier sell.

@SacBookReviewer gotcha. My customers today are businesses which already have mobile apps. Talk sometime? Gonna reach out on twitter.

@notaustintexas glad to be of help Austin