A while ago I started exploring social with the mindset of creating something fun. I ended up creating something deeply meaningful.
When I started Abode it was out of frustration. How have we moved to a state of social that cares more about how you’re perceived than connection. Growing up from when social was all about connection I often became frustrated that group chats are all that remain for that space.
Don’t get me wrong it’s not all bad. A lot of great things have come out of this era of social. I just always wished for more than a chat for my close friends and family.
I wanted to create a space that felt as unique as each of my friendship groups. One that wasn’t restricted to a chat thread or functionality, I always felt that chat was this weird state of social where you’re waiting on a response, it didn’t allow for some of the best moments which are often spontaneous. Chats felt like more of a chore to keep up with, than something I wanted to be part of.
The result of this was Abode. a hyper personal, create your own social, blank canvas. it allows you to add unique functionality through the form of widgets (which we call magnets). This allows you to have a unique experience depending on how you build your space. More games? More organisation? More social? The beauty of this is it’s up to you.
This resulted in what I’ve ended up calling social through presence vs social through action. I’d be playing a real life game with a friend and update our score note in the Abode and other friends jump in and congratulate on the win. No message was needed, no context was given. Social just happened.
I’ve seen friends who wouldn’t normally go out of their way to message each other play gruelling games of connect4 with each other because they saw someone was online and playing.
It’s this idea of someone else’s presence triggering a natural hangout that’s low pressure. Not someone messaging, asking if you’re around and waiting for a response. It’s a blend between async and real time that just works.
Congrats on the launch, Joseph! 🎉 Abode looks like such a refreshing take—as an introvert who dreads the 'message chore' but still craves connection, this hits home. Love how it makes hanging out feel spontaneous yet low-pressure (no awkward 'you free?' texts!). Brilliant work.
P.S. Any plans for an Android version if this takes off on iOS? Asking for my fellow introverts on the other side. 👀
@rani_zagita Haha yes! Right now this is just the initial start of a moment I want to start in social with shocker makes social... social. Assuming all goes well we have a lot lined up to improve product and make this an overall better experience. A big part of that is supporting every platform. So Android would be a focus in that reality yes!
Love your visuals, pretty sure you're onto something for gen-z/teenage groups: Abode feels more suited to these groups than generic FB groups. Exceptional work :) !
@busmark_w_nika Bloom (our mascot) also has friends. Equally cute, you can see them on the onboarding. Abode is the sorta place where even our mascot has friends.
Abode is the best social/chat app I’ve used. The magnets are a great feature which enhances chat and interactions with friends. Abode made planning trips easier, made communication more dynamic and enjoyable, and it increased my connection with my friends even when not together. I’ve recommended everyone get it!
Absolutely love the vibe you’re creating here. The energy, the idea, and the concept behind this app are truly refreshing.
In a world full of overly serious, utility-driven products, it’s such a joy to see someone bringing playfulness and emotion back into the mix. Design with personality matters it makes people feel something, and that’s how lasting connections with users are built.
We’ve seen so many apps fall into the trap of being purely functional. But fun, delight, and a bit of magic? That’s what makes an experience memorable. And I feel like you’re on to something special here.
Massive kudos for taking a bold approach and going against the grain. Rooting for you and this product.
Good luck with the launch, I’ll be following along closely!
@michal_porada Thank you, it means a lot. I think peoples habits are fixed in place when it comes to traditional social. So we wanted to break out of the norm a bit. We're not a feed, we're not a messenger. We're something entirely different, a space. And although bold and ambitious I am hopeful that social eventually moves into this direction where it values personal connections and relationships that matters more than how you're seen online.
The people who made this really cared for the problem they are tackling, and it shows through every element of the app. Its a beautiful experience and one that brings lots of joy when using. Great job team!
@thisiskp_ Thank you! Right now our viral loop are our magnets. If someone plays a game in your space that notification "Joe is playing ascend" doesn't just tell you their playing a game it says "Joe has at least 5 mins free if you want to hangout" these sort of triggers are much more valuable than "Joe posted to instagram" because they capture a moment, a moment that can be joined in.
We do intend to think more about the product at its core as we move forward. Start answering the core questions like, who uses abode, why do they use it and how do they use it. And with that we can narrow/craft the experience to tailor those people more creating more viral loops and ensuring we make the best product for those people.
Building out like this and then eventually growing to support more types of people/types of groups is a more sustainable way to go vs a hyper growth model. We want to nail the product first and then huge growth comes later.
We're just at the start of this journey, and at the core believe in the problem. "Social isn't personal", abode is just my first take and therefore start of how that problem could be solved in creating more natural social spaces that exist with people who matter.
This is such a refreshing take on social. I love how Abode redefines connection by letting users build personalized shared spaces using modular “magnets”—it’s like LEGO for social interaction. The focus on presence-based connection rather than performative posting resonates deeply, especially for those of us craving more authentic, ambient moments with close friends.
@aj_123 Its actually something we built into the magnet engine from the start. So yes, it's built with opening up the system to engineers to build their own magnets and publish them.
I really enjoy the design and overall concept behind Abode.
How do you anticipate getting folks from their already digital social hubs (Discord, iMessage Groups, Snap Circles, etc)
I also tried it a few days ago and felt overwhelmed/didnt know who to invite lol. So maybe I’m not the right target? But curious what you’ve seen other early users say!
@gabe its fair feedback! I personally think it only takes someone to experience Abode in a group setting to realise the magic behind it and how it feels. But there are definitely people out there this won't work for and thats okay for now!
I think our next step is to try and solve that overwhelming feeling. A lot of it stems from giving people a "blank canvas". Often too many options are a bad thing. Narrowing the product to a specific use case will be our key to target the right users from day one. Working outwards to support more and more type of groups. Right now this is very much a proof of what social can be and based off of the metrics and data we retrieve next steps will be applied to make the best product for a specific case (our most popular one).
The future is very much, friends, family, communities, public abodes. But we can't start there. Learn first, optimise the product. Grow outwards.
Replies
Abode
A while ago I started exploring social with the mindset of creating something fun. I ended up creating something deeply meaningful.
When I started Abode it was out of frustration. How have we moved to a state of social that cares more about how you’re perceived than connection. Growing up from when social was all about connection I often became frustrated that group chats are all that remain for that space.
Don’t get me wrong it’s not all bad. A lot of great things have come out of this era of social. I just always wished for more than a chat for my close friends and family.
I wanted to create a space that felt as unique as each of my friendship groups. One that wasn’t restricted to a chat thread or functionality, I always felt that chat was this weird state of social where you’re waiting on a response, it didn’t allow for some of the best moments which are often spontaneous. Chats felt like more of a chore to keep up with, than something I wanted to be part of.
The result of this was Abode. a hyper personal, create your own social, blank canvas. it allows you to add unique functionality through the form of widgets (which we call magnets). This allows you to have a unique experience depending on how you build your space. More games? More organisation? More social? The beauty of this is it’s up to you.
This resulted in what I’ve ended up calling social through presence vs social through action. I’d be playing a real life game with a friend and update our score note in the Abode and other friends jump in and congratulate on the win. No message was needed, no context was given. Social just happened.
I’ve seen friends who wouldn’t normally go out of their way to message each other play gruelling games of connect4 with each other because they saw someone was online and playing.
It’s this idea of someone else’s presence triggering a natural hangout that’s low pressure. Not someone messaging, asking if you’re around and waiting for a response. It’s a blend between async and real time that just works.
@_jsmth Love the intention behind this.
Congrats on the launch, Joseph! 🎉 Abode looks like such a refreshing take—as an introvert who dreads the 'message chore' but still craves connection, this hits home. Love how it makes hanging out feel spontaneous yet low-pressure (no awkward 'you free?' texts!). Brilliant work.
P.S. Any plans for an Android version if this takes off on iOS? Asking for my fellow introverts on the other side. 👀
Abode
@rani_zagita Haha yes! Right now this is just the initial start of a moment I want to start in social with shocker makes social... social. Assuming all goes well we have a lot lined up to improve product and make this an overall better experience. A big part of that is supporting every platform. So Android would be a focus in that reality yes!
Thank you for your support ❤️
PageAI
OMG this is so nicely done!
I am in absolute awe with the app, it's my new favorite UX! 🥹
Abode
@dan_mindru thank you!
Microlaunch
Love your visuals, pretty sure you're onto something for gen-z/teenage groups: Abode feels more suited to these groups than generic FB groups. Exceptional work :) !
Abode
@said_aitmbarek Thank you ❤️
The most cute UI launched on this platform :)
Abode
@busmark_w_nika Bloom (our mascot) also has friends. Equally cute, you can see them on the onboarding. Abode is the sorta place where even our mascot has friends.
Showtime Gasless NFT Marketplace
Abode is one of the most fun, creative and exciting apps I've seen in the past few years, so excited for new people to discover it!
Abode
@m1guelpf ❤️
Abode is the best social/chat app I’ve used. The magnets are a great feature which enhances chat and interactions with friends. Abode made planning trips easier, made communication more dynamic and enjoyable, and it increased my connection with my friends even when not together. I’ve recommended everyone get it!
Surfer
Absolutely love the vibe you’re creating here. The energy, the idea, and the concept behind this app are truly refreshing.
In a world full of overly serious, utility-driven products, it’s such a joy to see someone bringing playfulness and emotion back into the mix. Design with personality matters it makes people feel something, and that’s how lasting connections with users are built.
We’ve seen so many apps fall into the trap of being purely functional. But fun, delight, and a bit of magic? That’s what makes an experience memorable. And I feel like you’re on to something special here.
Massive kudos for taking a bold approach and going against the grain. Rooting for you and this product.
Good luck with the launch, I’ll be following along closely!
Abode
@michal_porada Thank you, it means a lot. I think peoples habits are fixed in place when it comes to traditional social. So we wanted to break out of the norm a bit. We're not a feed, we're not a messenger. We're something entirely different, a space. And although bold and ambitious I am hopeful that social eventually moves into this direction where it values personal connections and relationships that matters more than how you're seen online.
Thanks for the support ❤️
Branding5 - AI Marketing Intelligence
TabTab
The people who made this really cared for the problem they are tackling, and it shows through every element of the app. Its a beautiful experience and one that brings lots of joy when using. Great job team!
Abode
@riccqi thank you ❤️
Gym Hero
Great job on every thoughtful detail, such an outstanding app.
Abode
@danieljames Thanks Daniel! Appreciate it ❤️
I simply cannot wait to try this out - It's looking like everything I want + more :)
Anything gamification-based & fun I'm all over it - Best of luck to Alex & the team, it's a delight to see you all creating a fantastic thing!!
Paddle
Abode
@thisiskp_ Thank you! Right now our viral loop are our magnets. If someone plays a game in your space that notification "Joe is playing ascend" doesn't just tell you their playing a game it says "Joe has at least 5 mins free if you want to hangout" these sort of triggers are much more valuable than "Joe posted to instagram" because they capture a moment, a moment that can be joined in.
We do intend to think more about the product at its core as we move forward. Start answering the core questions like, who uses abode, why do they use it and how do they use it. And with that we can narrow/craft the experience to tailor those people more creating more viral loops and ensuring we make the best product for those people.
Building out like this and then eventually growing to support more types of people/types of groups is a more sustainable way to go vs a hyper growth model. We want to nail the product first and then huge growth comes later.
We're just at the start of this journey, and at the core believe in the problem. "Social isn't personal", abode is just my first take and therefore start of how that problem could be solved in creating more natural social spaces that exist with people who matter.
Jupitrr AI
Am I the only one who read it "Adobe"😅
Great one @_jsmth @aliszu @peterc1731
Hope this become the next big social media platform we will see!
This is such a refreshing take on social. I love how Abode redefines connection by letting users build personalized shared spaces using modular “magnets”—it’s like LEGO for social interaction. The focus on presence-based connection rather than performative posting resonates deeply, especially for those of us craving more authentic, ambient moments with close friends.
Abode
@jing_li24 exactly! And I think these authentic moments with real friends is only becoming more and more required and desired from a mass of people.
Tough Tongue AI
Love the magnet concept—do you plan to open up an SDK so creators can build and share their own widgets?
Abode
@aj_123 Its actually something we built into the magnet engine from the start. So yes, it's built with opening up the system to engineers to build their own magnets and publish them.
Love love love Abode!
Can’t wait to onboard all my friends and family
Thank you for building and crafting this with so much love ❤️
Abode
@sharifelkomi Thank you for the love and support ❤️
Product Hunt
I really enjoy the design and overall concept behind Abode.
How do you anticipate getting folks from their already digital social hubs (Discord, iMessage Groups, Snap Circles, etc)
I also tried it a few days ago and felt overwhelmed/didnt know who to invite lol. So maybe I’m not the right target? But curious what you’ve seen other early users say!
Abode
@gabe its fair feedback! I personally think it only takes someone to experience Abode in a group setting to realise the magic behind it and how it feels. But there are definitely people out there this won't work for and thats okay for now!
I think our next step is to try and solve that overwhelming feeling. A lot of it stems from giving people a "blank canvas". Often too many options are a bad thing. Narrowing the product to a specific use case will be our key to target the right users from day one. Working outwards to support more and more type of groups. Right now this is very much a proof of what social can be and based off of the metrics and data we retrieve next steps will be applied to make the best product for a specific case (our most popular one).
The future is very much, friends, family, communities, public abodes. But we can't start there. Learn first, optimise the product. Grow outwards.
Product Hunt
@_jsmth love this approach. Very excited to see how the app and community evolve. Will try to spend more time with it over the next weekend!
I could totally see Abode working well with something like Corner. Congrats on the launch!
Love everything about this app! And the design is so beautiful 😍
Heyweb
One of the most exciting apps and the best UX i have seen in recent times.