From 2e45bdc76ef0033f37aa53be28ddd5e4e334aa1b Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: alexanderbrunker-star Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2026 08:38:41 +0200 Subject: [PATCH] SF-33: document Brain.fm parity roadmap --- README.md | 1 + docs/competitive/brainfm-parity-gap-audit.md | 187 +++++++++++++++++++ 2 files changed, 188 insertions(+) create mode 100644 docs/competitive/brainfm-parity-gap-audit.md diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index cf26152..133b3b6 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -157,6 +157,7 @@ Parallel work is supported via agents for independent tickets, with one branch/P - [Team workflow](docs/guides/github-workflow.md) - [Linear + GitHub process automation](docs/guides/linear-github-process.md) - [Codex automation prompts/instructions](docs/guides/codex-automation-prompts.md) +- [Brain.fm parity gap audit](docs/competitive/brainfm-parity-gap-audit.md) - [Historical execution notes](docs/reports/execution-log.md) - [Current status snapshot](STATUS.md) diff --git a/docs/competitive/brainfm-parity-gap-audit.md b/docs/competitive/brainfm-parity-gap-audit.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..50f1f4a --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/competitive/brainfm-parity-gap-audit.md @@ -0,0 +1,187 @@ +# Brain.fm Parity Gap Audit + +Date: 2026-04-24 + +Linear source: SF-33, "Competitor analysis: Brain.fm" + +## Source Notes + +Brain.fm currently positions itself around functional music for Focus, Sleep, +Relaxation, and Meditation, with activity variants such as Deep Work, +Creativity, Learning, Light Work, Motivation, Unwind, Destress, Recharge, Chill, +Guided Sleep, Deep Sleep, Wind Down, Power Nap, Guided Meditation, and Unguided +Meditation. + +Official Brain.fm pages also describe: + +- patented neuromodulation / neural phase-locking rather than binaural beats +- direct acoustic modulation, temporal patterning, and frequency shaping +- no headphone requirement +- sleep 3D spatialization / rocking or cradling effect +- science-first positioning with NSF-funded and peer-reviewed research claims +- web, iOS, Android, and desktop availability +- current public pricing of $14.99/month and $99.99/year + +Primary references: + +- https://www.brain.fm/pricing +- https://www.brain.fm/home +- https://www.brain.fm/blog/how-neural-phase-locking-works +- https://brainfm.helpscoutdocs.com/article/43-what-is-brain-fm + +## Current SonicFlow Coverage + +| Capability | Current SonicFlow state | Parity assessment | +| --- | --- | --- | +| Four functional modes | Focus, Flow, Meditation, Sleep exist across core JS, core Swift, iOS, macOS, Chrome, and Android surfaces. | Partial. Brain.fm names Relax instead of Flow; Flow is currently alpha productivity, not explicitly relaxation. | +| Target frequency bands | Gamma 40 Hz, alpha 10 Hz, theta 6 Hz, delta 2 Hz are implemented in shared engines. | Partial. Bands exist, but there is no richer mode taxonomy or activity sub-mode mapping. | +| Direct amplitude modulation | JS and Swift engines apply amplitude modulation to generated stereo PCM. | Partial. Current left/right channels are identical and simple sinusoidal modulation; no independent channel design, temporal patterning, frequency shaping, or sub-perceptual calibration. | +| Session controls | Duration, ambient mix, pulse depth, beat volume, starter sessions, source/file controls exist in native surfaces. | Partial. No Pomodoro intervals, infinite sleep mode, session history, or efficacy feedback loop. | +| External audio overlay | Chrome can layer over web-tab audio; macOS has partial system/source capture; iOS and Android do not yet expose a complete Spotify/YouTube overlay mode. | Partial. This should become a first-class "Overlay Mode" across platforms where OS rules allow it. | +| Web app / PWA | Browser extension exists; standalone web app is tracked in Linear SF-34 but not implemented in the repo. | Missing. Needed for Brain.fm-style web availability and standalone browser sessions. | +| Personalization | No onboarding quiz, neurotype, genre preference, or intensity defaults. | Missing. | +| Genre/activity selection | Starter sessions exist; genres do not. | Missing for Brain.fm-level parity. | +| Offline access | README explicitly says browser shells do not offer native offline render/export/cache flows. | Missing. Mobile offline should be prioritized before desktop offline. | +| Sleep spatialization | No 3D rocking/cradling spatial effect. | Missing. | +| Research validation | No placebo-control framework, attention task, EEG/fMRI partnership tracking, or claims gate. | Missing and should stay blocked from public claims until evidence exists. | +| Platform coverage | Browser, iOS, macOS, Android exist. | Mostly present. Product depth varies by platform. | +| Monetization | No subscription/paywall plan in app surfaces. | Missing, but not required before core functional parity. | + +## Required Parity Tracks + +### 1. Mode Taxonomy and Session UX + +Align the product taxonomy to the competitive baseline: + +- Focus: Deep Work, Creative Flow, Light Work, Learning, Motivation +- Relax: Unwind, Destress, Recharge, Chill +- Sleep: Deep Sleep, Wind Down, Power Nap, Guided Sleep, Infinite Sleep +- Meditate: Guided Meditation, Unguided Meditation + +Implementation implication: + +- introduce a shared activity/sub-mode model +- decide whether current Flow becomes a Focus sub-mode or remains a branded + alpha productivity mode +- keep one-click default sessions to avoid decision fatigue +- add Pomodoro/interval timer and infinite sleep playback + +### 2. Modulation Engine Upgrade + +Move beyond simple sinusoidal beat generation: + +- support low/medium/high neural intensity +- support direct amplitude modulation that works over speakers +- add independent stereo channel modulation while avoiding binaural-only logic +- add temporal patterning and frequency shaping per mode +- add seamless looping for long sessions +- add tests proving modulation depth, frequency bands, and fade/loop behavior + +IP note: do not claim or copy patented Brain.fm technology. Treat this as an +independent modulation engine inspired by known auditory entrainment concepts, +with legal review before using "neural phase-locking" language commercially. + +### 3. Personalization + +Add onboarding and defaults: + +- focus challenge quiz +- ADHD/self-reported attention support path +- genre preferences +- neurotype/intensity assignment +- per-session intensity override + +Data model requirements: + +- local-first profile model +- sync-ready shape for future Supabase/backend work +- privacy-safe analytics events + +### 4. Offline Mobile + +Mobile should support offline sessions first: + +- render/cache generated session assets +- download/delete UI +- storage quota handling +- offline availability indicators +- no offline promise on browser shells + +### 5. Sleep Spatialization + +Add a sleep-specific spatial layer: + +- slow stereo pan / 3D rocking profile +- low-distraction movement curve +- no abrupt dynamic shifts +- speaker and headphone QA +- disable/soften spatialization at low intensity + +### 6. Scientific Validation and Claims Gate + +Build the measurement layer before strong claims: + +- placebo/unmodulated control sessions +- sustained-attention task integration +- subjective efficacy feedback +- anonymous aggregate reporting +- formal research-partnership tracker +- marketing copy gate: only claim what evidence supports + +### 7. External Audio Overlay Mode + +SonicFlow has a distinct product advantage that should be treated as a core +mode, not a hidden implementation detail: layering functional modulation over +audio the user already plays in Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, podcasts, or +browser tabs. + +Target behavior: + +- Overlay Mode is explicit in the UI next to standalone sessions. +- The user can choose an external source where the platform permits it. +- The functional layer stays low-distraction and mixes under the primary media. +- Mode, activity, intensity, duration, and Pomodoro/infinite timers still apply. +- Source status is always honest: connected, unavailable, permission needed, or + browser-tab only. + +Platform rules: + +- Web app / PWA: support standalone generated sessions first; expose Overlay Mode + only where browser APIs or companion extension permissions make it reliable. +- Chrome/web extension: prioritize YouTube and supported browser tabs with the + existing content-script/tab-audio path. +- macOS: use system capture where permitted and keep file fallback. +- iOS: system-wide Spotify/YouTube capture is not generally available; support + local/media-library or app-owned playback first and avoid promising full + Spotify overlay unless a compliant API path exists. +- Android: investigate media session / audio capture policy, then implement only + sources that are legal and technically reliable. + +Acceptance criteria: + +- Overlay Mode has a shared product model and platform capability matrix. +- Unsupported sources fail gracefully with clear UI copy. +- Browser and macOS implementations can mix the SonicFlow layer with active + external audio without hijacking playback. +- Verification covers source selection, permission states, and session-state + continuity when source availability changes. + +## Recommended Execution Order + +1. Ship taxonomy/session controls: Brain.fm-like modes, activities, intensity, + Pomodoro, and infinite sleep. +2. Upgrade the modulation engine with tests before changing marketing claims. +3. Add personalization profile and genre preferences. +4. Add offline mobile render/cache. +5. Add sleep spatialization. +6. Promote External Audio Overlay Mode across browser and macOS, then define + compliant mobile fallbacks. +7. Add research validation tooling and keep science claims conservative until + external validation exists. + +## Immediate Product Decision + +SonicFlow should not market itself as having Brain.fm-equivalent patented neural +phase-locking. The safe target is feature parity in user outcomes and independent +audio-engine capability: purpose-built functional audio, explicit activity modes, +speaker-compatible modulation, low-distraction sessions, and measurable efficacy.