Muse

Product Introduction

1. Muse is a digital canvas designed to facilitate structured yet flexible thinking by combining nested boards, multimedia integration, and collaborative tools for ideation and problem-solving. It operates as a native app optimized for iPad and Mac, prioritizing a clutter-free interface to minimize cognitive load during brainstorming sessions. The platform supports local-first data storage with instant sync, ensuring accessibility without dependency on constant internet connectivity.
2. The core value of Muse lies in its ability to mirror organic thought processes through infinitely nestable workspaces, enabling users to expand ideas without constraints of linear organization. It eliminates friction between capturing raw materials (text, sketches, files) and synthesizing them into actionable plans, making it ideal for non-linear thinkers. By rejecting feature bloat, Muse maintains focus on essential tools for deep work while fostering collaborative creativity through real-time editing and commenting.

Main Features

1. Muse provides nested boards that function as whiteboards within whiteboards, allowing users to create hierarchical structures for projects or ideas without spatial limitations. Each board supports unlimited zoom levels and can contain text, handwritten notes, images, videos, PDFs, and file attachments in a freeform layout. This enables fluid transitions between high-level strategy mapping and granular detail development within a single workspace.
2. The platform offers a hybrid ink-and-text system with pressure-sensitive Apple Pencil support, enabling seamless switching between typing and sketching without mode toggling. Cards act as atomic units for organizing content, which can be linked across boards to establish relationships between concepts. Dark and light themes are optimized for extended use, with adjustable contrast settings to reduce eye strain during prolonged sessions.
3. Collaborative workspaces feature live cursor tracking, threaded comments, and version control, allowing teams to co-edit boards while maintaining individual navigation freedom. Templates for common use cases like user research synthesis or storyboarding accelerate project setup, and exported boards retain interactive elements when saved as PDF/PNG. Local-first architecture ensures instant sync across devices via peer-to-peer technology, with optional cloud backup for team projects.

Problems Solved

1. Muse addresses the fragmentation of digital tools by consolidating brainstorming, research organization, and collaborative planning into a single environment that respects non-linear thinking patterns. It solves the problem of idea loss during transitions between note-taking apps, whiteboard software, and document editors by providing persistent spatial context.
2. The primary target users include product managers, UX researchers, writers, and educators who require systems to manage complex information relationships without rigid hierarchical frameworks. It particularly benefits remote teams needing real-time visual collaboration tools that preserve individual workflow autonomy.
3. Typical scenarios include synthesizing qualitative research data through affinity mapping, iterating on product wireframes with stakeholder feedback, developing narrative structures for long-form content, and conducting strategic SWOT analyses with cross-functional teams. Academic applications involve lecture planning, thesis organization, and interactive student projects.

Unique Advantages

1. Unlike traditional whiteboard apps limited to flat canvases, Muse enables infinite board nesting and bidirectional linking between content nodes, mimicking neural association patterns. It diverges from Notion-like tools by prioritizing spatial organization over database-driven structures, making it better suited for exploratory phases of projects.
2. The Inbox feature acts as a transient capture zone where unstructured inputs can be temporarily stored before systematic organization, preventing workspace clutter. Gesture controls like pinch-to-create-child-board and swipe-to-archive reduce interaction steps, maintaining flow states during intensive thinking sessions.
3. Competitive strengths include native Apple Pencil optimization with palm rejection surpassing most cross-platform apps, and local-first data architecture that guarantees offline functionality absent in web-based competitors. The deliberate exclusion of pixel-perfect design tools (e.g., vector brushes) positions Muse as a dedicated thinking aid rather than a presentation software alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What devices and platforms does Muse support? Muse is available as native apps for iPadOS, macOS, and iOS, with full feature parity across all Apple platforms. A Setapp version provides Mac access through subscription, while iPad/iPhone versions require separate App Store downloads. Windows and web versions are not currently available.
2. How does collaboration work in the free tier? The free plan allows one collaborator per workspace with basic editing rights, while paid tiers enable unlimited collaborators with advanced permissions like comment-only access. All collaborators must use Muse apps; there is no browser-based guest access.
3. Can Muse be used completely offline? Yes, Muse operates as a local-first application where all data is stored on-device first. Changes sync peer-to-peer across a user's devices via iCloud when online, but full functionality remains available without internet connectivity.
4. Are educational discounts available? Yes, students and educators can contact hello@museapp.com with valid institutional credentials to receive discounted Pro tier subscriptions. This includes full feature access for academic use cases like research paper organization and classroom collaboration.
5. What export formats are supported? Boards can be exported as vector-based PDFs preserving layers and text selectability, or as high-resolution PNGs. The Pro tier adds batch export capabilities and custom canvas size configuration for print-oriented workflows.