Back to Lab

Love Will Tear Us Apart

An 8-bit proximity app that plays your song when you're close to the people who matter

The Concept

A charming 8-bit styled app for sharing location with someone special. Define the relationship (lover, friend, enemy) and set a song that plays when you’re near each other. Simple premise, delightful execution—your theme song plays when you finally meet up.

Learning Objectives

  • Mobile app integration with system location services
  • Third-party music API integration (Apple Music / Spotify)
  • Triggering audio playback based on proximity events
  • Privacy-conscious location sharing architecture
  • Cross-device coordination and real-time updates

Considerations

CriticismMitigation
Network effect problem—both need appTarget couples directly, market as a gift/shared download
Limited use case = limited retentionAdd async features (send a “ping,” leave location-triggered notes)
Privacy concerns with location sharingAggressive permissions UX, easy off-switch, no server-side storage
No clear monetization pathOne-time purchase or tip jar—don’t force subscriptions on utility apps
Spotify/Apple Music integration is finickyStart with local audio files, add streaming as v2