Product Introduction

1. DeskMinder² is a macOS application designed to create immediate desktop reminders and task alerts with minimal input, optimized for users who require high-visibility notifications to maintain focus. It operates natively on macOS 14.0 or later, leveraging system integrations for seamless performance and accessibility. The app prioritizes simplicity, allowing users to set reminders in seconds without navigating complex menus or settings.
2. The core value of DeskMinder² lies in its ability to reduce distraction cycles by delivering bold, attention-grabbing notifications that persist until acknowledged. It specifically addresses the needs of neurodivergent users, such as those with ADHD, by combining visual prominence with tactile feedback through Audio-Haptic Experiences. By syncing with Apple Reminders, it extends task management continuity across Apple devices, ensuring critical alerts are never missed.

Main Features

1. Full-Screen Notifications: DeskMinder² displays reminders in an unmissable full-screen overlay that interrupts workflows only when necessary, using high-contrast visuals and optional notification sounds. These notifications remain active until manually dismissed, preventing oversight due to zoning out or multitasking. Users can customize transparency levels and animation styles to balance urgency with aesthetic preferences.
2. Apple Reminders Sync: All tasks created in DeskMinder² automatically sync with the native Apple Reminders app, enabling cross-device alerts on iPhones, iPads, or Apple Watches. This integration requires no additional setup beyond enabling the "Sync with Reminders" toggle in the app’s Settings menu. Synced reminders retain their original timing and labels, ensuring consistency across platforms.
3. Flexible Widget Positioning: The app’s widget can be placed anywhere on the desktop or hidden entirely, with a user-defined keyboard shortcut (default: Option + Space) to toggle visibility. In "Menu Bar Mode," the widget collapses into the macOS menu bar for minimal screen footprint, while "Desktop Mode" keeps it persistently visible. Users adjust widget opacity and size via drag-and-drop controls in real time.

Problems Solved

1. DeskMinder² solves the problem of overlooked or delayed reminders by enforcing high-priority, system-level notifications that cannot be ignored or minimized accidentally. Traditional reminder apps often fail for ADHD users due to subtle alerts that blend into background workflows, whereas DeskMinder² uses full-screen interruptions to demand immediate attention.
2. The target user group includes neurodivergent individuals, remote workers managing ad-hoc tasks, and professionals requiring rapid task capture without disrupting deep work sessions. It is particularly effective for users who rely on spatial memory (e.g., associating tasks with specific screen locations) or need Pomodoro-style timeboxing support.
3. Typical use cases include interrupting hyperfocus sessions to transition between tasks, capturing fleeting ideas without switching apps, and syncing urgent reminders to wearable devices for offline accessibility. Educators and students also use it to segment study periods with enforced break reminders.

Unique Advantages

1. Unlike competing apps like Gestimer or Alarms, DeskMinder² combines full-screen alerts with macOS-native design elements, such as Fluid Animation and transparency effects, ensuring minimal cognitive load during use. Competitors lack direct Apple Reminders synchronization, forcing manual task duplication across devices.
2. The app introduces "Audio-Haptic Experiences," which pair subtle vibration patterns (via MacBook trackpads or Magic Devices) with notification sounds to reinforce alert recognition. This multisensory approach is absent in similar tools, which rely solely on visual or auditory cues.
3. DeskMinder²’s competitive edge stems from its dual-mode operation (Widget/Menu Bar) and one-click deletion of reminders by clicking active timers, eliminating friction in task management. Competitors require multi-step edits or lack a centralized history log, whereas DeskMinder² provides a dedicated Task History screen with timestamped activity tracking.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Why can I only set the timer for up to 99 minutes? DeskMinder² is optimized for short-term task management, with a 99-minute limit to prioritize rapid reminder creation and reduce decision fatigue. Extended durations are better handled through Apple Reminders integration, which supports longer scheduling.
2. How do I edit or delete timers? Clicking an active timer immediately deletes it, streamlining the interface by removing edit buttons. Editing is intentionally excluded to maintain simplicity, but users can recreate reminders faster than modifying existing ones.
3. How do I set up syncing with Apple Reminders? Enable "Sync with Reminders" in the Settings menu under the Integrations tab. Newly created reminders will automatically appear in the Apple Reminders app within 5-10 seconds, with no additional account linking required.