(Not Boring) Habits
notbor.ing
3D, sound- and haptics-rich habit tracker that won a 2022 Apple Design Award.
Andy Allen
FiftyThree co-founder now making Apple Design Award-winning apps at (Not Boring) Software
About Andy Allen
Andy Allen is a designer and developer who co-founded FiftyThree, the studio behind the hugely popular iPad drawing app Paper. In 2020 he founded (Not Boring) Software, a deliberately tiny studio, described in 2026 as two people, built around the idea of never making boring software again.
Not Boring remakes everyday utilities that come free with the iPhone, such as Weather, Calculator, Timer, Habits and Camera, with maximalist 3D graphics rendered in a game engine, custom sound design and haptics. (Not Boring) Habits won an Apple Design Award in 2022, and the apps are sold individually and as a bundle.
Allen is an outspoken critic of flat minimalism in app design and often argues that sound and haptics are among the most underused tools in app development.
Products by Andy Allen
(Not Boring) Weather
notbor.ing
Weather app with game-engine 3D visuals.
(Not Boring) Calculator
notbor.ing
Calculator with 3D interface, custom sounds and themes.
iPad drawing and sketching app he co-created at FiftyThree, later acquired.
Awards & recognition
Videos with Andy Allen
Andy Allen on why AI startups are relying on their own hardware
InterviewInfobot· 2024
Timeline
- 2020 — Founded (Not Boring) Software.
- 2022 — (Not Boring) Habits won an Apple Design Award.
How Andy builds
- Utility apps don't have to be boring.
- Sound and haptics are underused design tools.
- Stay deliberately tiny.
Andy Allen FAQ
Who makes the Not Boring apps?
(Not Boring) Software was founded in 2020 by Andy Allen, previously co-founder of FiftyThree, maker of Paper.
Did Not Boring win an Apple Design Award?
Yes, (Not Boring) Habits won an Apple Design Award in 2022 for its 3D animations, sound and haptics.
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