I am writing this because I am absolutely fed up with the way Garmin treats Connect IQ developers. The level of disrespect, lack of transparency, and complete absence of communication is honestly unbelievable.
First, I want to highlight one particular developer:
Apps by ArcApps | Connect IQ Store
This developer has approximately 240 practically identical pixel by pixel watch faces published on the Connect IQ Store.
How on earth was this allowed? Does anyone at Garmin actually really review these submissions? Is there a real person checking what gets approved, or is the entire review process actually automated?
Today, when browsing the Connect IQ Store sorted by "Recent", I saw this developer's watch faces appearing what seemed like a hundred times. The store is being flooded with repetitive content, yet other developers are left waiting endlessly for their applications to be reviewed.
How is this acceptable? Where is the quality control? Where is the fairness?
In my opinion, this developer's submissions deserve an immediate investigation. Appropriate action there should be taken, including removing duplicate content or suspending the developer. Garmin should also examine how these submissions were approved in the first place.
Now, let's talk about how Garmin treats developers.
Garmin, stop treating developers like they are disposable and their time means absolutely nothing.
We deserve honesty and transparency.
If Garmin selectively prioritizes certain applications or developers for review, then have the courage to say so publicly.
If an application has been stuck in "Pending Review" for more than a week, should we simply assume it will never be reviewed? Because right now, that is exactly how it feels.
Why is Garmin completely ignoring emails?
Developers spend their time creating applications, testing them, following guidelines, submitting updates, and contacting Garmin when something goes wrong. And what do we get in return?
Silence. Complete silence.
We send emails, wait for responses, and receive absolutely nothing. It gives the impression that Garmin simply does not care.
And what about this forum? Is it really too much to ask for someone from Garmin to check the developer forums a couple of times per day and respond to serious concerns?
We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for basic respect, communication, and a functioning review process.
Garmin, I want clear answers to the following questions:
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What is actually happening with the Connect IQ application review process?
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What should developers do when an application remains in "Pending Review" for weeks?
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Are applications submitted this month actually being reviewed and approved?
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Are established developers receiving priority while newer developers are effectively being ignored?
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Why are emails and forum questions being left unanswered?
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How can hundreds of nearly identical watch faces be approved while other applications remain stuck in the review queue?
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Is there a defined maximum review time, or can an application remain pending indefinitely?
Please stop hiding behind silence and give developers some real answers.
I am 44 years old, and I can sincerely say that I have never experienced this level of disregard and disrespect from a company before.
This is not how a professional developer ecosystem should operate. Developers invest their personal time, effort, creativity, and sometimes money into building applications for Garmin devices. Without developers, the Connect IQ platform would be a much less valuable ecosystem.
We are not worthless. Our time is not worthless. And we should not have to beg for basic communication.
Garmin, your current approach is unacceptable. Something needs to change, and developers deserve a public explanation.
I genuinely hope someone from Garmin will finally take responsibility and respond instead of ignoring yet another legitimate concern.