Show HN: Thinkbuddy – AI Assistant to Avoid Subs Costs of Multi Chatbots (macOS)
I wanted to share my first work for the world of desktop software, Thinkbuddy, our AI-powered assistant for Macs. We’ve been heads-down building it in Flutter, which, against the grain for a Mac app, presented unique challenges. Flutter’s not native to macOS, so we spent nights bridging with Swift, wrestling with UI intricacies, questioning our life choices, and resisting the Electron siren call – all in the name of efficient resource use.
We’re committed to an optimized macOS experience without the overhead typical of cross-platform solutions. We’ve been iterating on a SwiftUI-like feel, with less memory footprint than Electron could offer.
Thinkbuddy’s not just another chat service. It’s a testament to what Flutter can achieve on desktop, especially when paired with powerful models (just included Groq, and soon Opus). We’re adding new ones regularly, aiming to provide a solid alternative to pricey subscriptions.
This project began with a lucky find when I was searching for a ChatGPT app and stumbled upon a location-based chat app created by Ufuk. That discovery led to an unexpected but fruitful collaboration. Now, we’re excited to hear what the HN community thinks about Thinkbuddy, our first joint effort.
Take it for a spin: https://thinkbuddy.ai
Would love to hear your technical takes, UI/UX advice, or any Flutter on Mac experiences you’d like to share.
Thanks, HN!