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Ask HN: Remote Developers, what tools/apps you wish you had? [for product idea]

by nanospeck on 2/4/17, 4:03 AM with 31 comments

Remote jobs are getting really popular now, and I'm curious to know about the potential for new products/apps for remote workers. E.g. nomadlist If you are a remote developer, do you have any particular tool/app/website that you wish existed and would make your life easier?

  • by tabeth on 2/4/17, 7:37 AM

    Instant Ping (particularly for teams where most people are on premise):

    1. You have a computer (the Instant Pinger) setup. All it is is a monitor with a webcam and a faster internet connection, in addition to a small computer that can run the Instant Pinger and a keyboard, with super high quality mic.

    2. When anyone (presumably an employee) sits in front of the Instant Pinger they're instantly, and automatically connected to you. You will immediately appear on the monitor and they will appear on yours. Text, video, and screen sharing will activated from your end to the monitor.

    3. When they leave the connection immediately closes. There's no need to press disconnect for you are always "connected" to begin with.

    Why?

    Many say the serendipity of the office is what allows great ideas to spread. The Instant Pinger recreates this with an always on connection, and "presence to talk" messaging. A light could even be installed on the remote monitor to indicate whether or not the local (really remote) user is on their desk, or not.

  • by sdtsui on 2/5/17, 6:08 AM

    Hands down, screen-sharing software that "just works" would be awesome. Our team uses Screenhero over hangouts, and even when everyone has rock-solid internet there are connection/stability issues. Pretty much anything that can help remote teams collaborate effectively is great. If it was quantifiably better (fewer dropped calls, required restarts), we'd pay anywhere from $10-$100/user/mo. We're an dev team of 10-20 and use a paid Slack channel. We like InVision's new Inspect feature. We (the eng team) also do a lot of whiteboarding on Sketch.

    I've done more lifetime remote dev work than onsite work. Happy to answer more detailed questions if you're interested. Have fun!

  • by sscarduzio on 2/4/17, 4:31 AM

    3 months in into a SE Asia digital nomad adventure here. Please provide:

    Predictably priced universal 4G plan that bills to my bank account.

    Biometric border control (leave passport at home)

    Clean, high quality scooter helmets rental (I'd pay premium for this)

    Bitcoin ATM to avoid local banks high fees (i.e. Thailand and Philippines ATMs charge foreign cards a lot)

    Plane-UberPool for small charter flights