A solo side project turns NYC rat sightings into a social app
RatMap is a free iOS app where people report a rat sighting, give the rat a name, and place it on a live map. The app still has fewer than 100 users, but new rat sightings are now being added every day. It includes a feed, a , likes, comments, and likes on comments.
It also has for blocks with many sightings, top spotters, badges, and levels, so it works more like a small than a plain map. The app can be used anywhere, but most current users are in New York City. An release is being prepared, with cities such as Paris in mind.
An Android version is also planned. Building it took longer than expected and brought real costs for the and setup.
Key points
- RatMap lets people name rat sightings and add them to a live map.
- The app has fewer than 100 users, but sightings are now posted daily.
- It adds social such as a feed, , likes, comments, badges, and levels.
- Most users are in New York City, though the app works anywhere.
- and Android releases are being worked on.