[pip2010]

I think your 3 option would be the best way to go, thats a great way to add a added payable version for - especially if you could add somekind of analytics to the time spent - in general and perhaps in relationship to other users (lets you see how you rate to others (all/friends), or might come with suggestions how to optimize your productivity). So your local version would save data and show you them there, but the storage of data and analytics would be on the website. Fantastic visualizations of the data will probably be a great way to build fans of the app - allowing a user to very easily understand their productivity level...

This would also allow a company to test it across all its staff, to see how time is used - of course this is a little big brother'ish, but might be a added value option to sell.

-PiP

[kristiandupont]

Yeah, while analytics would be great, I think that competing with your friends would work pretty well ("Wow, I am behind with 30 productivity points today - I need to focus!").

[pip2010]

Analytics would be a differentiator from other such services, being able to give actual advice, would be a great premium service.

A competition among friends is a good idea, but I think without a driver at the end - say a virtual brag award, it doesn't drive the competition. Look at foursquare and their badges - that in itself is a driver for a lot of folks - it would also give the service, in an initial phase where friends might not be present on the service, a better driver (indirectly the badges aim at bettering your productivity).

[kristiandupont]

So, maybe there should be an accompanying Facebook app that allows you to show off your historical productivity?

[pip2010]

Hmmm, I think FB apps are a hard added value sell with the current placement of apps on the FB website, perhaps an option to simply post from the your cherry app (i.e. a FB button) to showcase your productivity - when you want.

My sense is auto posting through an FB app, might be counter productive - of course it is easier, but doesn't a post demand that you were somehow productive? And how do you keep the frequency up, in order for FB to show that you are "a productive person" - to far between posts, and you are automatically not productive - or are you?.

If you work on the badges concept, that might be a better approach to FB app, simply having the badges post vs. a index number or other "simple" indicators.

Hmmm, will hum a bit over this...