A Tale of Two Interfaces (and One Very Confused User)
As I sat there, staring at the new user interface (UI) of my Arlo security system, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of déjà vu. It was like being transported back in time to the “Version 26 fiasco” of 2018-2019, when Arlo had apparently made changes so significant that they had to report a “material event” to the SEC. Apparently, the user experience had degraded so much that it caught the attention of the financial authorities. And now, here I was, facing a new UI that seemed to be causing me yet another existential crisis.
As I navigated the dashboard, I must admit, I was initially rather perplexed. The idea of having a “widget” to access my most important cameras seemed like a waste of space to me. Why not just call it what it is – a shortcut to the devices I use the most? And why on earth would the “Emergency” function be placed right in the middle of all the icons I use frequently? I mean, I get that it’s an important feature, but shouldn’t it be tucked away somewhere a bit more out of the way, just in case I accidentally hit it while trying to check the status of my garage camera?
Landscape vs. Portrait: The Great Debate
But the real kicker for me was the differences in functionality depending on whether I was using the app in landscape or portrait mode. On my trusty 11-inch iPad Pro, the landscape view was an absolute disaster. The “Feed” screen was a huge waste of space, with acres of gray bar between the metadata and the actual video footage. And when I tried to access the full-screen view of a device, I was trapped – no way to close the screen or navigate back to the previous view. It was like being stuck in a maze, with no clear path to freedom.
However, when I rotated the device to portrait mode, the app suddenly came alive. The top and bottom navigation bars appeared, giving me access to all the features I’d been struggling to find. It was like the app had been designed solely for a smartphone, with the tablet experience as an afterthought. And as someone who primarily uses a tablet in landscape mode, this just didn’t sit well with me.
The Trials and Tribulations of Routines and Schedules
But the frustrations didn’t end there. As I delved deeper into the new UI, I quickly realized that the “Routines” feature was sorely lacking. Sure, we had the classic “All Armed” and “All Disarmed” modes, but what about the in-betweens? What if I wanted different cameras armed and disarmed based on specific activities, like the kids playing in the backyard or the landscapers working around the house? And why couldn’t I have my schedules tied to my “Home” and “Away” status? It just didn’t make sense to me that I’d have to turn off my schedules when I was away, just because the system couldn’t figure out that I might want different settings when I’m not at home.
A Glimmer of Hope (and Some Serious Wishlist Items)
Now, I know I’ve been a bit of a grump throughout this whole ordeal, but I do want to give credit where credit is due. The new calendar pop-up for choosing recording days? That’s a definite improvement. And the “Feed Settings” and “Manage Events” options seem like a step in the right direction.
But if I could make a wishlist for the Arlo team, it would be a long one. For starters, I’d love to see more than just three Routine modes – maybe something like “Kids Playing,” “Entertaining Guests,” or “Landscapers Working.” And while we’re at it, why not let me control the siren based on the time of day? Seems like a pretty logical feature to have.
Oh, and one more thing – can we please get the settings icon back on the Devices screen? I don’t want to have to navigate to a separate screen just to tweak my camera settings. It’s a small thing, but it makes a big difference in the overall user experience.
A Hopeful Conclusion (and a Reminder to the Arlo Team)
As I sit here, reflecting on my journey through the new Arlo UI, I can’t help but feel a sense of cautious optimism. Sure, there are plenty of areas for improvement, but I know the Arlo team is always working hard to make their products better. And hey, maybe this is all part of some grand plan to make the interface more consistent across platforms – I’m not one to judge.
But as they continue to iterate and refine the UI, I hope the Arlo team remembers one thing: not all users are created equal. Some of us are die-hard tablet enthusiasts, while others prefer the convenience of a smartphone. And when it comes to security systems, we all have our own unique needs and preferences. So, let’s strive for a UI that caters to the diverse needs of the Arlo community, shall we?
After all, at the end of the day, we’re all just trying to keep our homes and families safe. And if a little user-friendly interface can help with that, then I’m all for it. Here’s to the future of home security, and may the Arlo team continue to innovate and surprise us all!
