Burner
Productivity
temporary phone numbers
SHOW HN2012
323points
180comments
#32of 1,677 in 2012
Top 2%of 2012 by points
How HN took it
CuriousMostly questions and neutral comments
17 positive, 50 neutral or asking, 2 mixed, 19 critical, out of 88 comments about the project. Thread score +0.00.
Idea: 10 for, 7 againstPricing: 3 for, 5 againstPrivacy: 1 for, 5 againstExecution: 2 for, 0 againstDesign: 0 for, 2 against
The thread, comment by comment
Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.
positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker
What HN said
What people liked
Clever idea and good name
From 3 comments
This is a brilliant idea. I had this exact same one myself a few months ago and never moved forward with it because I had no clue how to execute it properly. Without having…
stanmancan on HNDid the founders watch The Wire - love the name!
merrick on HNYou, sir, win the award for best product name. And shame, HN, for not complimenting him sooner.
twelvedigits on HN
Polished, fast app
From 1 comment
Really wonderful job on this app. Just tested it out (ios6b4 on a 4s) and all worked really well and very fast. Would love to see some usage data as you grow. Congrats on shipping!
noinput on HN
Objections
Pricing is steep and unclear before purchase
From 2 comments
Pricing seems a bit steep for what you get, especially since it is not obvious before you buy the app.
ApolloRising on HNThis looks like a great concept- but I have to question the one time purchase price. Right now, Burner is top of mind for me, but I don't have an immediate need to use the app.…
quintendf on HN
Could be used for harassment or drug dealing
From 2 comments
"You can use a Burner for dating, Craigslist, short-term projects, side businesses, bands, and other times when you need to be in touch but want to maintain a little privacy." --…
patrickmclaren on HNA drug dealers dream...
barakstout on HN
Recycled numbers may receive stray calls
From 2 comments
Neat idea. A couple of thoughts: 1- They better have a very large pool of unused numbers - otherwise it's likely my phone will be randomly ringing due to the many past users of…
arturadib on HNGreat idea: I assume app + backend + twillio API? The only think that might confuse people is if you start to recycle numbers (because you don't want to keep paying for them),…
PanMan on HN
Requests
Android version
From 3 comments
Very clever idea. Any plans on an Android version?
philipDS on HNIs this coming to Android at any time?
sspiff on HNThis is a brilliant idea. I had this exact same one myself a few months ago and never moved forward with it because I had no clue how to execute it properly. Without having…
stanmancan on HN
International availability
From 3 comments
Does anyone know if they plan to launch the same service in Europe soon? Or does a similar service exist?
adelivet on HNPlease bring this to the UK app store. Please.
drcongo on HNAwesome idea. You don't seem to be listed in non-US app stores (Canada, in my case). Any plans to be available internationally, or at least in the same countries served by Twilio?
meursault on HN
Free app with in-app purchases
From 2 comments
Greg, Wouldn't it be a better idea to release the app for free and then use in-app purchases for the numbers? That way you would not scare away the people who just want to…
nicc_ap on HNThis looks like a great concept- but I have to question the one time purchase price. Right now, Burner is top of mind for me, but I don't have an immediate need to use the app.…
quintendf on HN
Questions
Law enforcement and subpoena policy
From 2 comments
So, the term "Burner" is associated with temporary cell phones used by criminals to avoid wiretaps. Presumably that's the inspiration for the name and the concept. What happens…
yahelc on HNI wonder if they keep track of who had what number and when? Just thinking about whether law enforcement or the courts can get details.
Tyrannosaurs on HN
Whether outbound calls and texts work
From 2 comments
I assume this is incoming only? or can a Burner number be used to make calls and send texts? Either way, I see huge value in something like this (too bad you are iOS only). But…
jack-r-abbit on HNin-bound and outbound, calls and texts. and you can turn the ringer and/or message notifications on and off as you like.
gregcohn on HN
Alternatives named
Google Voice
From 1 comment
Neat idea. A couple of thoughts: 1- They better have a very large pool of unused numbers - otherwise it's likely my phone will be randomly ringing due to the many past users of…
arturadib on HN
RingCentral
From 1 comment
RingCentral, a more established player in this space, has been providing a similar service since last year http://mashable.com/2011/09/12/ringcentral-new-numbers/
g123g on HN
Plivo and Twilio-based services
From 1 comment
If it's Twilio, then numbers will only cost 50 cents in volume pricing so this could be a nice model. I'm skeptical about handling dead numbers though. Either the service hangs…
jhuckestein on HN