Filipino student creates weather app to help solve grandma’s laundry dilemma

• A computer science student, JD Satsatin, created a mobile app called "Maglalaba Ba?" to help people with laundry planning

• The app was inspired by his grandmother's struggle to find the right time to dry clothes to avoid sudden rain showers

• The app is designed to be user-friendly, using simple dialogues and drawings instead of complex weather data

• It provides recommendations based on weather, temperature, and humidity, helping users determine the best time to do laundry to ensure clothes dry properly

A Filipino computer science student has channeled a common household chore into a technological solution, developing a mobile application that tells users the best time to do laundry and hang clothes to dry.

Inspired by his grandmother's daily struggle with unpredictable weather, JD Satsatin created the app "Maglalaba Ba?" (Shall I Do Laundry?), a user-friendly tool designed for everyday Filipinos, regardless of their tech-savviness.

Satsatin, a software developer, said the idea for the app came from his personal experience. He often found himself tasked with the tedious chore of taking his grandmother's laundry indoors whenever a sudden rain shower occurred.

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"My grandma always does laundry, and when it starts to rain, she always asks me to bring the clothes inside," he explained. "It’s a huge hassle to keep moving the clothes in and out." This simple yet relatable problem became the catalyst for his innovative project.

The app's release in July was particularly timely, coinciding with the peak of the country's rainy season. "It was released just when many typhoons were happening, so it was very timely," Satsatin noted.

The app’s design is a significant aspect of its appeal. While most weather applications provide raw data like temperature and humidity readings, "Maglalaba Ba?" presents its information through simple, conversational dialogues and visual cues reminiscent of comics.

Users can simply "ask" the app if the weather is good for laundry, and it responds with a recommendation, often with accompanying drawings.

This approach ensures that even non-tech-savvy users, like his grandmother, can easily understand and use the app.

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Satsatin explained that the app’s weather data is sourced from Open Meteo, a reputable open-source service that gathers information from both local and global weather systems.

The app goes beyond a simple rain forecast, providing users with crucial details such as temperature and humidity levels, which affect drying time and can prevent clothes from developing a musty smell.

"It also has a meter for humidity and temperature. How hot or how cold it is. That also affects the drying time," he said.

By simplifying complex weather data into actionable advice, Satsatin's app proves that technology can be used to solve everyday problems and improve the quality of life for people of all ages.

The app is not just a testament to Satsatin's technical skills but also to his empathy. His creation shows that innovative solutions don’t always have to be complex; sometimes, the most effective ones are born from the desire to make a loved one’s life a little bit easier.

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News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable stories that people could easily understand and relate in their lives.

In other news, nineteen Central Mindanao Colleges students suffered skin burns during a reception activity in Kidapawan City on August 24. Police said seniors sprayed a mixture of vinegar, chili, and battery solution on interns after a series of physical exercises. The college dean admitted he inspected the event but was unaware harmful chemicals had been hidden by students. Five suspects have been identified and may face charges under the Anti-Hazing Law.

Still in other news, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr is considering former PNP chief Police General Nicolas Torre III for another government post after his relief from the police force. DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed that Torre has been discussed for a new role but the specific position has not yet been disclosed. Speculation linked Torre to a possible post in the DPWH but Remulla said only the President can make the official announcement. Remulla emphasized that Marcos still trusts Torre’s capacity leadership and experience to serve in positions vital to national development.

Source: KAMI.com.gh