"Connect IQ lacks the dynamic recommendation algorithms seen on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, relying instead on static ranking systems for watch face discovery. With paid Garmin Pay-integrated watch faces now occupying most homepage real estate, non-monetized developers struggle for visibility.
While we're eager to become Garmin merchants, geographic restrictions block our path. Would Garmin consider:
- Expanding payment options (e.g., PayPal integration) to reduce onboarding barriers?
- Creating a dedicated section for free/third-party payment watch faces?
- Rebalancing recommendation algorithms to decrease paid content bias?
The current UX feels antiquated. It's akin to YouTube endlessly recycling watched trending videos while burying fresh content. Why not prioritize showcasing new watch faces post-download until updates refresh recommendations, rather than recycling familiar ones?