www.hialex.cc | the alex story
Your mind is for creating ideas.
Not storing them.
When your mind is full of "things to do", there's no room left for generating ideas, thoughts and notes.
Alex is a reflection system that captures what’s on your mind now and turns it into a structured brief you can return to later.
Reflect and capture now.
Act later.
Clear your mind in 60 seconds.
Meet Alex.
Think of Alex as your brain buddy, helping you capture, organize and reflect on important things, before you forget.
Simply click or tap Alex to begin capturing your thoughts by voice. Alex starts working in the background, bringing clarity to your thoughts.*
Click the play button to see how Alex works:
* Alex works on Apple devices. Alex works by default with Apple Intelligence. Your privacy remains within the system you are familiar with.
Get started.
Select the option that's right for you.
| Feature | Alex ($29) → | Alex+ ($249) → |
|---|---|---|
| Great for: | The self-starter | The busy human |
| Instant access | ✓ | ✓ |
| One-time fee (no subscription) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Native installation (no app installation) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple Intelligence | ✓ | ✓ |
| ChatGPT (optional) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Online support | ✓ | ✓ |
| New feature updates* | ✓ | ✓ |
| Managed setup and configuration | ✓ | |
| Training: Usage and upkeep | ✓ | |
| Managed personal management system | ✓ | |
| One-time fee | Alex: $29 → | Alex+: $249 → |
Payment securely transacted via Stripe, Inc.
Invoicing managed via The New Communicate, LLC.
For feature details, please see the Questions and Answers page.
* All feature updates included in current version.
Getting started is easy!Once your purchase is confirmed, you will be redirected to your step-by-step setup and user guides (and Alex+ onboarding link).
Questions and answers.
What do I get for $29?
→ Downloadable system (with AI prompt)
→ Online + email support
→ Use cases
→ Free updates in v1*
* All 1.x updates are included in the original price.
What are the requirements for Alex, Alex+?
iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or Mac running recent software (*os26 or *os27).
Apple Notes app (free).
Optional: A ChatGPT account with the ChatGPT app installed.
Does Alex work with ChatGPT free?
Yes.
How do I get started with Alex?
After your purchase confirmation, you will receive the Alex system and instructions to get started. Three minutes later, you're up and running!
How is payment handled?
Purchases are securely transacted via Stripe, Inc.
Invoices are managed by The New Communicate, LLC (my company.)
How is support handled?
I will refresh this FAQ with support updates as needed.
Your cost covers online support.
If you have specific questions, please let me know.
How are updates handled?
An email notification will be sent when a new update is available.
Update instructions will be included.
What about privacy?
The creator of Alex does not have access to your conversations, decisions, files, prompts, reports, or other information.Alex does not send your information to the maker of Alex or maintain a separate database of your activity or host your information on some remote server.
Is Alex ready for iOS/iPadOS/WatchOS/macOS 27?
Yes!
How does Alex compare with Apple’s Listening Feature?
Alex is not "always on".
Alex is only activated when you intentionally start recording and is built to only capture your input.
How do I add a shortcut to all my devices?
Assuming you own an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and/or Mac...
Click here to see how to add shortcuts to all your devices →
How can I see Alex in action?
Great for...
The self-starter
If you just want to get started, this is the plan for you. Click to purchase, then download Alex and you are ready to get started!The busy human
If you are like most people, you could use a buddy, someone to walk you through the experience, set up Alex, and build a personal management system that's unique to you, Alex+ is for you.
Feature: Instant access...
That's the feature. You purchase your version of Alex, then you download the Alex system. That's it. It's yours.
Feature: No subscription...
I don't want to manage subscriptions as much as you don't want to pay them. So let's not have subscriptions. You buy it. It's yours.
Feature: No app installation...
No need to download another app, create a user name, create a password, find the confirmation email...Alex works within the system you already have.
Feature: Apple Intelligence...
Alex leverages Apple Intelligence.Wait, aren't all the other AI products so much better?It depends.If you're worried, to the extent you can be worried, about the state of AI and privacy and their leaders, then all the other AI products may not be better. (I'd rather work with a partner that takes privacy serious.)
Feature: ChatGPT (optional)...
You can use ChatGPT (even the free version) with Alex.Wait, what? Didn't you just say...Yes. I did. However, if you are comfortable using ChatGPT, it's available.
Feature: Online support...
In addition to this FAQ, users have access to an online site for specific support and feature updates.
Feature: New feature updates...
This is probably the trickiest part, for me, of building Alex and Alex+ Here's what I've come up with, which I think works for me for and you...The current version, whatever that current version is, will receive all the features and updates for the current version.This gives you peace of mind that the version of Alex you purchase and use will be supported for the foreseeable future.This also gives me the freedom to think about and the opportunity to build entirely new versions of Alex and Alex+ with new business models.What does this mean today? It means you can be confident the current version of Alex you have purchased and are using will be supported for the foreseeable future and beyond.
Feature: Managed setup and configuration...
I'll set everything up and configure it for you.
Feature: Training: Usage and upkeep...
I will walk you through Alex and show you how to get the best out of your personal management system.
Feature: Managed Personal Management System...
I will build the framework for your personal management system, then integrate it into Alex, making Alex work with your unique ambitions.
I have other questions.
Kindly submit your questions here.
Add a shortcut to your...
Apple Watch
Open the Apple Shortcuts app
Long-tap on a Shortcut (right-click)
Tap to open Details
Tap Show on Apple Watch
Apple iPhone or iPad
Open the Apple Shortcuts app
Long-tap on a Shortcut (right-click)
Tap to open Details
Tap Add to Home Screen
Apple Mac
Open the Apple Shortcuts app
Right click the Apple Shortcut
Select Add to Dock
Last updated: September 5, 2026
Single-User Commercial License Terms
By purchasing Alex, you are acquiring a single-user license granted by The New Communicate, LLC.
What you can do
Use Alex to help you focus on your priorities.
What you cannot do
Duplicate, distribute, sub-license, resell or publicly share the raw markdown codebase, Apple Shortcut or system instructions of Alex.
The Alex architecture (codebase, Shortcut, instructions) is the proprietary intellectual property of The New Communicate, LLC.
How may I help?
Technical questions? Setup issues? Just want to say hi?
Use the form below. I'll get back to you as quickly as I can.
Message received!
Thank you for sending your feedback.
I'll get back to you as quickly as I can.
I regularly update the FAQs... those might be helpful in the interim?
Alex in action.
The following images are screenshots from a session with Alex.While it depends on how much information is recorded (ie, how long you provide voice input), the typical process from start to the completion of your Daily brief is roughly 2 minutes.Once your Daily brief is built, the Apple Note containing your Daily brief will be launched automatically.
01: The Alex "app" icon (shown in tray at bottom).
02: Tapping the Alex "app" icon displays the voice input reminder. Tap the "OK" button.
03: Tapping the "OK" button launches the Alex voice input recorder. Tap the screen to finish recording.
04: Tapping the screen to finish recording displays the progress circle in the dynamic island.
05: Once the progress bar is complete, today's Alex brief automatically launches.
You've purchased Alex+. Thank you!
Last updated: Tuesday, September 22, 2026
If you have any questions during the setup process, contact me.
Kindly find a time on my calendar that works with you to get started
(Want to get started now? Follow this guide.)
You've purchased Alex. Thank you!
Last updated: Friday, September 4, 2026
Pertains to v0.1
If you have any questions during the setup process, contact me.
Setting up Alex takes less than 3 minutes in 3 easy steps:
1: Download Alex
2: Create your Alex! folder and your Alex: Priorities! note
3: (Optional) Connect ChatGPT to Apple Shortcuts
Click the arrow to get started.
1: Download Alex
Click the button below to download Alex.
Alex will be saved in your SHORTCUTS folder.
Next... Click the arrow to set up your Alex folder.
2: Create your Alex! folder
Open the Apple Notes app on your device
Ensure all folders are visible
Click the folder icon with the "+" symbol
Type: Alex! to name the new folder
Note: Kindly use the exact folder name above
Next... Click the arrow to get set up your Priorities notes.
2: Create the Alex: Priorities! note.
Open the Apple Notes app on your device
Open your new Alex! folder
Click the Create a note icon
At the top of the new note, type: Alex: Priorities!
Note: Kindly use the case insensitive note name above
Next... Click the arrow below to confirm Apple Intelligence is turned on, and how to connect ChatGPT*.
*Connecting to ChatGPT is optional.
3: Confirm SIRI AI / Apple Intelligence is turned on.
Optional: Use ChatGPT
On your device, open the Systems Settings
Click Apple Intelligence & Siri in the left navigation
Scroll down and select Extensions > ChatGPT
(Note: Screen not shown)
Turn on ChatGPT, then sign in to your OpenAI/ChatGPT account
That's it!
You have installed and configured Alex!
Next... Click the button below to see Alex in action.
Photos source: Apple
An idle mind...
Hi. I'm Wil. The maker of Alex.Like you, probably, I enjoy being busy. And while I'm keeping myself busy, I come up with ideas or notes or reminders.Things I know I should write down, but I'm busy!
Over the years, I've pieced together a work and personal management system, which are based on one idea:I don't want to forget something important in the moment.
So I started reading Getting Things Done by David Allen. I've read and heard the GTD system is a good, if not overly ambitious, foundational process to get yourself organized and productive.After reading and re-reading GTD, no disagreement from me.
I also tried * Forever Notes * by Matthias Hilse.I really like * Forever Notes *!
The problem, I felt, with both systems: it was just too much.
Remember? I'm busy!
So I took pieces of both and mashed them into a framework and system I call "Alex". Using a voice-first, privacy-focused environment, Alex helps me stay organized and creates a series of reflections to keep an eye on the personal and professional goals I've set for myself.
The concept, I think, is alarmingly simple: Speak into your device.
Alex then works in the background to bring clarity to your goals and priorities, ultimately giving you control over your own system.
I'd like to say Alex was built for the over-thinker, the creator, the busy human. And maybe that's true: Alex was built out of necessity for me: someone who enjoys being in the moment without forgetting things.
I hope Alex helps you, too.