The new web home page is a JOKE

Very limiting.  Definitely a step backwards in layout design.  Allow unlimited In Focus and Glance items, then it would be usable.  

Dave 57 said:

As it happens, I use the mobile app to keep track during the day but use the web page to do my detailed looks.
I'd be surprised if more people ddin't use it the same way but if the majority of users are mobile app only, then we'd better guide our kids to become opticians, as the future's bright for that profession.
Like you, I used the Sync function on the mobile to transfer data across, or Garmin Express when I'm charging or checking for updates.

Only speaking as a runner, but as someone who runs with people ranging in age from 20s to 60s, I can confidently say:

- none of them use Express

- most of them don't use Connect at all (either the app or the site) unless they have to (they use strava)

- those that do use Connect probably use the app and not the site

Dave 57 said:

if the majority of users are mobile app only, then we'd better guide our kids to become opticians, as the future's bright for that profession

I know you're half kidding but

https://www.npr.org/2023/10/17/1200611635/the-story-behind-soaring-myopia-among-children

The World Health Organization warns that by 2030, 40% of the world's population will be nearsighted. In the U.S. alone, myopia rates have soared over the past 50 years, from 25% in 1971 to nearly 42% in 2017. Many of these myopia cases are in children—who are going nearsighted at increasingly younger ages. In China, where they specifically track early onset myopia, over 80% of teens and young adults are now nearsighted.

This is what Suunto did.. They redesigned the app(movescount - suunto app) then They killed the web app/page which then killed of many of their users and watches as they could nolonger function fully. Was an ambit 3peakuser when they killed it off and that killed off all the mini apps too plus they removed the ability to wirelessly sync. you had to use a sync app that syncs to server then too the App... What Garmin are now doing is very similar too all that...  Looks very much like they want to purge their user base with these changes.

rockncrag said:

What Garmin are now doing s very similar too all that...  Looks very much like they want to purge their user base with these changes.

Yeah it's a self-fulfilling prophecy. "Nobody uses the site bc it sucks" (according to some Garmin manager), so let's neglect it and make it even worse so literally nobody uses it.

I agree with this -- and the one thing I really like about the update is that there is now uniformity between the app and web. It's entirely possible that what they've launched is just the starting point for what's to come -- they had to do the heavy lifting to get the back end figured out and now they will layer on new features going forward, bringing back some of the useful functionality that they've taken away, as they do. At least, that is my hope. If I can eventually do on my phone *or* the web everything that I've been doing to date only on the web, that would be great and worth the interim step. If that's the plan, they might communicate more effectively about it to keep everyone on board, but ... here we are.

LOL, I knew someone would have stats on that.
As it happens, I was being half-serious re: the prospect of Garmin (and others) potentially moving towards a total reliance on mobile apps verses a fuller sizes screen of whatever kind.  I onloy ever use mobile apps when I have to, as smaller screens don't suit me at al, despite the current trends.  Simple as.
I'm not a runner at all.  Not since I left the military & frankly, I used the device as much to try to counter the effects of medical issues I have as a result of that distant career.  In addition to trying to maintain some semblance of control over my efforts to counter arthritis in both knees, as well as motivate myself from the onset of severe Gout attacks as well.
All of that on top of the burdens of injuries sustained, age & general drive to keep going, are reasons why I've aired disappointment on a forum which I hope Garmin pay attention but suspect that they don't.  It's as much a medical thing in my case, as a recreational one.
That lost functionality from this unforeseen change, is a major issue for me in order to have that information clearly & simply to hand, to maintain my efforts (not to mention my own personal motivations).
So while I totally appreciate the functions of the app are used in different ways by different users, the losses encountered since this time yesterday are rather more significant in my own situation.
I have written to Garmin on here as well but as with previous efforts in the past, as well as those of others on this forum, I sincerely doubt there'll be a reponse, though I'd rather be stonewalled than not have written to them at all.
Meanwhile, the search will begin for alternatives, I think.

Dave 57 said:

I onloy ever use mobile apps when I have to, as smaller screens don't suit me at al, despite the current trends.

Say what you will about trends, but for most people it's the opposite. It's a mobile first world, and (outside of work) most people will only use a computer if they have to. In many cases, if there's something outside of work that absolutely requires a computer (or just has terrible mobile UX), they just might not do it at all. I know a few people who have a laptop but haven't used it in years (except for work). I also had a software developer coworker who bought a desktop PC then recycled it shortly after bc he had no use for it.

e.g. Real convo I had with a runner friend (sorry I know not everyone is a runner):

Her: "I wish Garmin showed us [some random stat]"

Me: "You can get [some random stat] at this free site runalyze.com. Unfortunately it's really better on a computer. You can use it on your phone, but the user experience is bad"

Her: "This is 2024, why isn't there an app???"

Also note that even the existence of a website, mobile-friendly or not, isn't enough for most people. Most mobile users wouldn't use Connect in their mobile browser, even if it was designed to be mobile friendly. They would demand to use an app on mobile.

So to be clear, there's some stat that she wants to see, and there's a way for her to get it, whether it's on her laptop, tablet or even mobile browser, but she won't do it because she prefers the convenience of an app.

To be super clear, convenience and simplicity are more important than functionality for most people, even if that functionality is something they say they want. If something isn't easy enough, they just might not do it.

Dave 57 said:

the losses encountered since this time yesterday are rather more significant in my own situation.

Yeah I'm pretty mad that the dashboard is gone, too. I hope Garmin brings it back. There seems to be a lot of outcry on the forums, maybe they will bring it back as a "classic" option (same as they maintained the classic Connect website for a few years after the last big change).

I meant connect.garmin.com - not this forum :)

Ch4rvel said:

I meant connect.garmin.com - not this forum :)

Haha my mistake. Yeah, you're absolutely right.

However, I think if Garmin were starting out today, they would be a lot more like Apple where, instead of trying to provide a one-size-fits-all platform that does everything for everyone, they'd just provide a common backend (like Apple Health) with basic maps and workout apps, and let 3rd party devs fill in the gaps.

Obviously they're locked into their current approach, but I can see that they might be thinking "less is more" now.

Appreciate the viewpoint, especially from a developer's perspective.

That said, I know that "hope" never had any place in a plan (as I've advised many CEOs before now) so I'll not hold my breath for a "classic" option.  That would take effort on their part & I can't see that happening anytime soon...  although of course I'd love to be proven wrong on that.

Ah well...  I'm off to start the search.