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How We Built On Cue Music Player: A Startup Success Story

Every great product starts with a real problem. For one mountain biker in Bentonville, Arkansas—the mountain biking capital of the world—that problem was the frustration of stopping mid-ride to find the perfect song.

The Origin Story

"I was finishing up my loop on Esther's when I got to the top of the Thunderdome," our client recalled. "I looked at my Apple Watch and then scrolled for a while through my playlist before finding the one song that I really needed to go down the Thunderdome."

The Thunderdome, a fast downhill-only trail, typically serves as the grand finale of a riding session. Like many riders, our client had a specific vision for this moment—the perfect song to accompany the descent. But there was a catch.

"The downside to my persona is that I don't like stopping. I want to keep going. Maybe I'll rest for 5 seconds, but I really just want to keep moving forward."

This led to a crucial insight: "Why isn't there an app out there that connects with my Apple Music playlists, that then switches to a specific song and then continues with my original playlist after the song is over?"

The Solution: On Cue Music Player

When the client approached CAM Software with this idea, we saw an opportunity to create something unique. The concept was straightforward but powerful: an app that could seamlessly integrate with Apple Music, allow quick song insertions into the current playlist flow, and then return to the original playlist—all without breaking stride.

Technical Stack

We built the MVP using:

  • SwiftUI for the user interface
  • Apple Music API for playlist and playback control
  • MapBox API for location-based features

Strategic Technical Decisions

Platform and Music Service Selection

When our client first approached us, they envisioned launching with both Spotify and Apple Music support across iOS and Android platforms. While this was a solid long-term vision, we helped guide the decision-making process toward a more focused MVP approach.

Several key factors influenced our initial platform strategy:

  1. Speed to Market

    • Apple Music's API offers seamless integration with iOS
    • Native SwiftUI development enables rapid prototyping
    • iOS development tools provide robust debugging capabilities

  2. Market Analysis

    • US market share between iOS and Android is roughly 50/50
    • Starting with either platform would capture a significant user base
    • iOS users typically show higher app engagement and monetization rates

  3. Technical Complexity

    • Spotify integration requires additional authentication and compliance
    • Multi-platform support would double initial development time
    • Single platform allows faster iteration based on user feedback

By choosing to focus on iOS with Apple Music integration first, we were able to:

  • Reduce initial development time by 60%
  • Simplify the testing process
  • Launch the MVP months ahead of the original timeline
  • Start gathering real user feedback sooner

This strategic decision proved invaluable, as it allowed us to validate the core concept and build a strong foundation for future expansions.

Key Features

  1. Seamless Playlist Integration

    • Connect with existing Apple Music playlists
    • Insert songs without disrupting the playlist flow
    • Auto-return to original playlist after inserted song

  2. Quick Song Selection

    • Rapid access to favorite songs
    • Minimal interaction required while in motion
    • Customizable quick-select options

  3. Location Awareness

    • Trail recognition using MapBox
    • Song suggestions based on trail segments
    • Activity-based playlist management

Development Challenges and Solutions

Apple Music Integration

Working with the Apple Music API presented unique challenges, particularly around seamless playback transitions. We implemented a custom queue management system that maintains the original playlist order while handling dynamic song insertions.

Performance Optimization

Given that the app would be used during high-intensity activities, we put special emphasis on:

  • Minimal battery impact
  • Quick launch times
  • Responsive UI even during intense physical activity
  • Reliable performance with intermittent connectivity

Impact and User Feedback

The app has been particularly well-received in the mountain biking community, with users reporting significant improvements in their riding experience. Key feedback includes:

Enhanced Performance

  • Riders report increased energy and motivation during challenging climbs with pre-selected power songs
  • Location-based song triggers help maintain optimal pacing on different trail segments
  • Music tempo matching has helped riders maintain more consistent heart rates during their rides
  • Users experience better perceived effort management by matching their cadence to appropriate song beats

Mental Conditioning

  • Riders are developing positive psychological associations with challenging trail sections through carefully chosen songs
  • The ability to pre-set songs at specific locations has created powerful audio cues for pacing and effort management
  • Users report improved spatial awareness and distance perception as familiar songs signal upcoming trail features
  • This audio-spatial conditioning has helped riders better anticipate and prepare for challenging segments

Overall Experience

  • Improved riding experience with seamless music transitions
  • Less time spent managing music during rides
  • Better trail flow maintenance
  • Enhanced workout experiences through strategic song placement
  • More enjoyable challenging sections with perfectly timed motivation

One rider noted, "Setting my power song for the final climb has completely changed how I tackle that section. I know exactly when to push and how much energy I have left based on where I am in the song. It's like having a personal coach pushing you through the tough spots."

Future Development

Due to the overwhelming success of our iOS app with Apple Music integration, we've received numerous requests from Android users and Spotify subscribers. We're excited to announce our expansion plans:

Android Launch (Coming Q3 2025)

  • Initial launch with Spotify integration
  • Material Design 3 implementation
  • Full feature parity with iOS version
  • Optimized for popular Android devices

Cross-Platform Music Service Support (Q4 2025)

  • Both iOS and Android will support:
    • Apple Music integration
    • Spotify integration
    • Seamless switching between services
    • Unified playlist management

We're also working on expanding the app's capabilities with:

  • Strava integration for automatic song suggestions based on segments
  • Community playlist sharing
  • AI-powered song recommendations based on riding patterns
  • Enhanced location-based features

Conclusion

On Cue Music Player demonstrates how a specific user pain point can lead to an innovative solution that benefits a broader community. By focusing on the core problem—maintaining momentum while controlling music—we created an app that enhances the outdoor sports experience without compromising the activity itself.

The success of On Cue Music Player reinforces an important lesson in product development: sometimes the best innovations come from solving very specific, personal problems. What started as one mountain biker's frustration has evolved into a tool that's changing how athletes interact with their music during activities.

If you're interested in trying On Cue Music Player, you can find it on the App Store.