Ethan Harrell

How It All Started

I never set out to build a productivity app, I just wanted to solve my own problem. Traditional to-do apps felt lifeless and mechanical, forcing me into rigid workflows that didn’t match how I actually worked. I needed something more flexible, intuitive, and alive. That’s when the idea for Star Task was born.

The Turning Point

At first, it was just an experiment—a side project driven by curiosity. But as I refined the app, I realized I had built something I truly loved using. The more I used it, the more I saw what it could become. I wasn’t just creating another task manager, I was designing a system that would redefine how people interact with their tasks.

The Challenge of Building Something Different

Every feature in Star Task was a battle. AI-powered reminders had to be seamless. Exact alarms had to work through every condition. The UI had to feel smooth, engaging, and personal. And I was doing it all on my own, constantly pushing through technical and creative hurdles. But the idea of creating something truly unique kept me going.

What Star Task Means to Me

This isn’t just an app, it’s a reflection of my journey as a developer and creator. It represents the struggle of trying to build something meaningful against all odds. And most importantly, it’s proof that a solo developer can take on the giants and build something that resonates with real people.

What Inspired Star Task?

Star Task was born out of a desire to combine beauty, simplicity, and cutting-edge AI to create a productivity tool that feels personal. I could never get into productivity apps—they just felt like work. For years, I relied on tools like Google Sheets, but I wanted something different. Star Task became my solution: a sleek, supportive app that adapts to the user’s needs.

What Problem Does It Solve?

• Accessibility – Making Productivity Simple for Everyone
  • Problem: Many productivity apps feel cluttered, overwhelming, or difficult to navigate, making them inaccessible to a broad audience.
  • Solution:
    • Minimalist UI – A clean, distraction-free design that ensures ease of use for both beginners and power users.
    • Intuitive Navigation – Thoughtfully designed menus, buttons, and gestures to keep interactions effortless.
    • Dark & Light Modes – Supports both visual preferences for enhanced comfort.
    • Offline Functionality – Users can manage tasks without an internet connection, ensuring accessibility anytime, anywhere.
    • 🌍 AI That Speaks *Your* Language — Star Task is now fully localized in 76 languages, so it can understand you, respond to you, and feel truly personal—no matter where you're from.
• AI Integration – Removing Friction from Staying Organized
  • Problem: Manually setting reminders, creating lists, and organizing tasks takes too much effort, leading to task fatigue and abandoned to-do lists.
  • Solution:
    • AI Note-Taking – Speak naturally, and Star Task converts voice into structured action items.
    • AI-Powered Reminders – Automatically schedules due dates, alarms, and notifications without manual input.
    • Smart Task Suggestions – AI predicts and recommends tasks based on past behavior and list content.
    • Persistent Alarms & Notifications – Works through reboots, silent mode, and DND, ensuring nothing is forgotten.
    • Cross-Device Sync – Reminders, tasks, and notifications are stored in the cloud, allowing users to seamlessly load them on any Android device.
• Customization – Personalizing the Productivity Experience
  • Problem: Most productivity apps force users into a rigid workflow, making it hard to adapt to different needs and preferences.
  • Solution:
    • Dynamic Theming – Users can personalize the interface with Star Chaos animated themes and custom backgrounds.
    • Flexible Task Management – Users can prioritize, highlight, duplicate, merge, and collapse tasks based on importance.
    • Customizable AI Settings – Choose how much AI assistance to use, from full automation to manual control.
    • Live List Sharing – Users can collaborate in real time with others while retaining control over their own workflow.

What Makes Star Task Unique?

• AI Note Taking (Voice List): Transforms spoken words into actionable tasks, making productivity effortless.
• Live List Sharing: Seamlessly share and collaborate on lists with colleagues, family, or friends, ensuring smooth coordination.
• Themes & Star Chaos: More than just aesthetics, Star Chaos animated themes create a dynamic, immersive experience that makes productivity exciting. Unlock exclusive animated Star Chaos themes through login streaks, adding a rewarding layer to daily engagement.
• Optional AI: Users can customize their experience, choosing between full AI automation or a more manual workflow, ensuring flexibility in productivity.
• Persistent Smart Reminders: Unlike standard to-do lists, Star Task’s AI-powered reminders ensure no task is forgotten—working through reboots, silent mode, and DND settings.
• Gamified Productivity: Unlock rewards like Star Chaos themes and additional AI capabilities by maintaining login streaks and using AI-powered reminders, making productivity both engaging and rewarding.

What Were the Hardest Parts to Build?

• AI Integration: Ensuring features like note-taking were seamless and intuitive.
• Exact Alarms: Overcoming Android’s limitations for precise reminders.
• User Interface: Designing a minimalist yet powerful UI with Jetpack Compose.
• Solo Development: Managing every aspect independently—from coding to deployment.