iOS and VR meditation app suite: 41% increase in user retention and engagement

The Innowise team has developed a suite of apps that help consumers manage their mental health through guided meditations.

Customer

Industry

Healthcare

Region

UAE

Client since

2021

Our customer is a global distributor of software and hardware products aimed to help the users address anxiety, stress, insomnia, and other issues through scientifically-backed approaches.

Detailed information about the client cannot be disclosed under the provisions of the NDA.

Challenge

Due to the lack of required technical expertise, the clients struggled to engage meditation app users.

The client faced the challenge of building software to support the devices they have developed. Being a relatively small team, the client required external expertise to build the software that would seamlessly integrate into their hardware product and improve user engagement.

That included an iOS application, a VR-compatible application, and an online store through which the meditation hardware would be sold.

The end goal was creating an ecosystem of hardware and software that would improve users’ engagement with the meditation apps.

Solution

An iOS meditation app, a VR app, and an online store to sell meditation devices

Our development team has built both front-end and back-end portions of a mobile app and a website along with a full-stack Unity application for virtual reality experience.

Notably, the experts also have facilitated app integrations with the meditation devices sold on the client online store, creating an entire ecosystem of hardware and software solutions.

iOS application

Innowise developers have created an iOS meditation app to help users deal with anxiety and stress issues. The application hosts over 100 meditation sessions, accessible in 7 languages, and categorized into 4 distinct groups:

Stress and anxiety relief;
Sleep and relaxation aids;
Positive affirmations;
Breathwork exercises.

This categorization allows users to easily navigate and select meditations that best suit their immediate needs. The back-end development was based on Python for robustness and scalability, while the responsive and user-friendly front end was crafted with iOS SWIFT.

Moreover, the application supports integrations with two unique meditation devices offered by the client: a meditation mask and an EEG headband. The integration enhances the user’s meditation experience by connecting the digital and physical meditation aids seamlessly. Being connected to the user’s smartphone via BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) technology, the devices are extremely power efficient, which helps them work longer on a single charge. The connectivity technology allows users longer uninterrupted meditation sessions.

The developers also have adapted the iOS meditation app to be compatible with VisionOS, so that the user could enjoy the app on Apple Vision Pro.

Unity-based VR application

By leveraging the immersive power of VR technology, our Unity team has delivered an immersive VR meditation app for Oculus Quest 2. The application transports users into tranquil, scenic environments, ideally suited for meditation. Users have the ability to receive meditation recommendations and search for specific meditations. A significant feature of the VR application is its integration with a proprietary EEG sensor, which enriches the user’s meditation practice by providing real-time brain activity feedback.

Online store

To complement the meditation applications, Innowise has also developed an online store – a highly-responsive web app built with Python and JavaScript with WordPress implemented for content management. Through the store, the client sells meditation masks and EEG sensors. The meditation mask, featuring built-in headphones and a 100% blackout design, offers users an immersive audio meditation experience. The EEG sensor, on the other hand, provides valuable feedback on the user’s meditation effectiveness by monitoring brain activity. This data is presented through the application in the form of easy-to-understand graphs, showcasing concentration and relaxation levels. This way, the app encourages users to track and enhance their meditation practice over time.

In addition to the online store development, Innowise engineers have integrated a variety of payment options, and worked with the client SEO team to drive organic traffic to the website.

Technologies

Front-end

UIKit, MVC, Alamofire, SnapKit, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, SASS/SCSS, Gutenberg, Ajax

Back-end

Django, Django REST framework, PHP 7.4, MySQL, PHPUnit

iOS

Swift

Databases

Postgres, Redis

Unity Engine, XR Interaction Toolkit, Oculus Unity Integration, I2 Localization

Cloud

AWS (CloudFormation, ECS, EC2, ECR, S3)

CMS

WordPress, ACF

Payment processing

StoreKit, PayPal API, WooCommerce

VCS

Git, GitHub

Analytics

Firebase, AppsFlyer, Facebook

DevOps

Docker, Docker compose, BitBucket Pipelines, Lando

Process

Our team implemented the Kanban development workflow, a method that emphasizes continuous delivery while allowing for ongoing adjustments based on the client’s evolving needs and vision. This approach ensured a fluid development process with a focus on maintaining a steady pace of progress. Instead of fixed sprints, we utilized a Kanban board to visually manage the flow of tasks, facilitating immediate response to changes and prioritization of work. Regular reviews were held with the client to showcase developments and incorporate feedback, ensuring alignment with project goals at every stage.

Team

Project Manager

Business Analyst

Front-End Developer

iOS Developer

Unity Developer

Python Developer

QA Engineer

Results

Improved user retention and engagement, increased meditation accessibility

The suite of meditation applications and the accompanying online store have significantly contributed to enhancing user engagement and retention for our client. The intuitive and responsive design of the iOS meditation app, along with the immersive experiences offered by the VR app and the physical devices, have made meditation practices more accessible and appealing to users. The integration of the EEG headband has introduced a novel way for users to monitor and understand their meditation progress, providing tangible insights into the benefits of regular practice.

Project duration

April 2021 - Ongoing

41%

increase in user retention and engagement

35%

increase in meditation accessibility

Related cases

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iOS and VR meditation app suite: 41% increase in user retention and engagement

Customer

Challenge

Due to the lack of required technical expertise, the clients struggled to engage meditation app users.

Solution