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Weekly Update 🎉: Matchbox, Unlocked!

Weekly Update 🎉: Matchbox, Unlocked!

TL;DR:

  1. Send Everything to Matchbox: Matchbox is no longer just restaurants! Send all content types and use cases. They will be automatically categorized into Restaurants, Experiences, and Everything Else.
  2. Lists Are Live: Organize your matches across categories with customizable lists.
  3. Homepage Overhaul: A redesigned homepage centered around warnings, new use case categories, and lists.

Happy Holidays Testers!

Wow, what a week! First, I want to thank everyone who has already signed up for or taken part in user interviews. It’s been incredibly valuable to hear your thoughts on Matchbox so far. Your time and energy in helping me understand this opportunity in greater detail mean so much. These conversations have been so informative that I’ve decided to make a significant shift and accelerate some plans on the product roadmap.

After speaking with many of you who’ve been using Matchbox regularly, two wishlist items stood out:

  1. The ability to save more than just restaurant content.
  2. A grouping feature to further organize your matches.

Given the overwhelming "We want it now" feedback, I’ve rolled up my sleeves and made some big updates:

 Major Updates This Week 

1. The Guardrails Are Off!
You can now send ANY use case into Matchbox, which the app automatically categorizes into three buckets:

  • Restaurants: This remains the same experience you’re used to.
  • Experiences: Bookable items like hotels, outings, art classes, etc. It’s working well, but I need your help finding and fixing bugs.
  • Everything Else: A catch-all category for anything not fitting the above. This is the least polished, and I’m excited to see what you send. As trends emerge, I’ll create new categories.

2. Lists Are Live!
You can now create lists to tag and organize your matches, whether they’re restaurants, hotels, or gifts. Keep everything in one place, even if the matches belong to different categories.

Here’s how it works:

  • First List: A default "First List" has been set up in your profile as a high priority, so it displays on your home screen. You can delete, rename, or add new lists on the Lists page.
  • Adding Matches to Lists:
    • Use the Add to List button on each card in your Matchbox.
    • Or, add matches from within each match profile using the same button.
  • List Limits: You can add up to 4 lists per match to keep things flexible and organized.

Planning a trip? Save related matches—restaurants, hotels, and even gifts—under one list for easy access!

3. Homepage Overhaul
The homepage has been reimagined to focus on:

  • Warning Messages: Easier visibility for any action items or issues requiring attention.
  • Use Case Categories: Restaurants, Experiences, and Everything Else are front and center for seamless navigation.
  • Lists: Quick access to your lists, making organization effortless.

    The Matchbox section itself is now the central hub for all your saved matches, ensuring everything you need is just a tap away.

Other Product Updates (12/16 - 12/23)

  • YouTube API: Matchbox now uses the YouTube API, making this source far more reliable.
  • Additional TikTok Pathway: Continued improvements are being made to handle TikTok content more consistently.
  • Image Submission: Text or submit images directly into the app. Great for screenshots of websites like Reddit and X.com or even photos from your phone.
  • Beli App Pathway: Use the “Share Your Rating” feature in Beli to add restaurants directly to your Matchbox.
  • Been/Bought/Done Toggle: Indicate whether you’ve experienced content sent to your Matchbox.
  • Star Toggle Update: The star toggle is now clickable without needing a dropdown menu.
  • Design Refresh: Based on feedback that there was too much red, making it hard to distinguish warnings from branding, the app’s color scheme has been updated. Warnings are now clearly marked, and the overall visual balance has been improved.

Focus Areas for This Week

With the launch of these major updates, I expect to find many new bugs and areas for improvement this week. Matchbox is increasingly about saving things you love across platforms and organizing them in one place. Your submissions are crucial for refining this experience, so keep them coming!

I’m also watching for unexpected use cases and building pathways to make those workflows smoother.

Looking Ahead

This group’s contributions are making Matchbox better every week. Since the Beta test began on 12/2, submissions have skyrocketed from just over 300 last week to 1,100+ as of today! With every new feature and bug uncovered, we’re shaping Matchbox into the ultimate tool to tackle information overload.

Given the significant updates this week, I’ll wait until after the New Year to invite the potential Power Users you have sent me. Over the holidays, if you think of anyone interested in testing Matchbox (now with expanded content categories), add them to the waitlist in your profile or send me their info via text/email.

I hope you all get some downtime to enjoy the holidays with your loved ones. Thank you for continuing to be an essential part of Matchbox’s journey.

Thanks!
Pat

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Pat