Customer Reviews (500)

Playful Me! • 2025-03-10T02:24:15-07:00

I use it to plan my shopping and social activities đź’ť

SeekerJones • 2025-02-27T05:16:23-07:00

Have used Living Earth for almost 15 years on 4 iPhones. It was one of the very first apps purchased for first iPhone. Its weather widget was the BEST bar none! It’s too bad that the app appears to be abandoned by the developer (Radiant Labs) at this point…Hope this is not the situation, but with 2 iOS releases and 2 years since last update, doesn’t bode well for those who love Living Earth…it would be great there was an update that brought back a Weather Widget compatibility with iOS 18. Can’t live without its Weather Widget.

guidobeh • 2025-02-27T05:13:00-07:00

Frequent crashes still knowing that this app has been >10 years on the market. Pretty amateuristic imho….

Summary of Key Insights

  • Living Earth - Clock & Weather is an app praised for its visually stunning interface and unique 3D earth simulation. However, the app suffers from accuracy issues, particularly with weather data and forecasts. Many users report that the app's data is often inaccurate compared to other weather sources. Additionally, the lack of recent updates has led to concerns about abandoned development and compatibility issues with newer iOS versions. While users appreciate the aesthetic appeal and world clock features, the unreliability of weather data significantly detracts from the overall user experience.
  • Key Strengths: Beautiful design, unique global weather visualization, world clock functionality, alarm clock feature.
  • Key Weaknesses: Inaccurate weather data, infrequent updates, potential for abandoned development, widget limitations, occasional crashes.
  • Overall Sentiment: Mixed. While many long-time users express love for the app's aesthetics and features, recent accuracy issues and lack of updates have led to disappointment and frustration.
  • Quantitative Metrics:
    • Overall Rating: Based on the score distribution, the weighted average rating is approximately 4.1 stars.
    • Score Distribution: 5-star (64.8%), 4-star (11.6%), 3-star (7%), 2-star (5.4%), 1-star (11.2%).

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews.
  • Time Frame of Reviews: The reviews span a long period, from 2017 to January 2025, with a higher concentration of recent reviews indicating ongoing usage and relevance.
  • Analysis Methods: Manual review and thematic analysis of the reviews to identify recurring themes, sentiment, feature requests, and pain points. Sentiment was inferred from the star ratings and text content of the reviews. Keyword extraction was used to identify frequently mentioned topics.

Key User Pain Points

  • Inaccurate Weather Data/Forecasts: The most frequently mentioned issue. Users report significant discrepancies between the app's weather data and actual conditions or other weather sources. This includes incorrect temperatures, precipitation forecasts, and wind speeds.
  • Lack of Updates/Maintenance: Many users express concern about the app's infrequent updates and potential abandonment by the developer. This leads to compatibility issues with newer iOS versions, outdated satellite imagery, and unresolved bugs.
  • Widget Limitations: Users find the widget limited in terms of placement and functionality. They desire more customization options and broader compatibility with home screen layouts.
  • Crashes and Instability: Some users report frequent crashes and instability, which negatively impact the user experience.
  • Alarm Clock Issues: Some users report that the alarm clock function is unreliable, sometimes failing to go off or having issues with music playback.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Improved Weather Data Accuracy: Users consistently request more accurate and reliable weather data.
  • More Frequent Updates: Users want the app to be updated regularly to address bugs, improve compatibility, and add new features.
  • Enhanced Widget Functionality: Users desire a more customizable and functional widget with options for displaying different weather elements and placing it on any home screen page.
  • Radar Integration: Many users request the addition of a radar feature to visualize precipitation patterns.
  • Air Quality Data: Some users request the inclusion of air quality information.
  • Better Zoom Capabilities: Some users want to be able to zoom in closer on the globe for more detailed local views.
  • Apple Watch Support/Complications: A significant number of users desire Apple Watch support or improved complications.
  • Option to Display Real Temp with "Feels Like" Temp: Some users want the option to see both the actual temperature and the "feels like" temperature simultaneously.
  • Lock Screen Integration: Users want the ability to use the app as a live wallpaper on their lock screen.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Beautiful and Visually Appealing Design: The app's stunning 3D earth simulation and attractive interface are consistently praised.
  • Unique Global Weather Visualization: Users appreciate the ability to view global cloud patterns, storms, and weather systems in a visually engaging way.
  • World Clock Functionality: The world clock feature is useful for users who need to track time in different locations.
  • Alarm Clock Feature: Some users find the alarm clock function useful, particularly the ability to wake up to a view of the planet.
  • Ease of Use: Many users find the app easy to use and navigate.
  • Informative: Users appreciate the range of weather information provided, including temperature, humidity, wind speed, and forecasts.
  • Educational: Some users find the app educational, using it to teach children about geography and weather patterns.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Improve Weather Data Accuracy: Investigate and address the sources of inaccurate weather data. Consider switching to a more reliable weather data provider or implementing algorithms to improve data accuracy.
  • Increase Update Frequency: Commit to more frequent updates to address bugs, improve compatibility, and add new features. Communicate update plans to users to reassure them about ongoing development.
  • Enhance Widget Functionality: Redesign the widget to offer more customization options, broader compatibility with home screen layouts, and the ability to display different weather elements.

Medium Priority:

  • Implement Radar Integration: Add a radar feature to visualize precipitation patterns.
  • Address Crashes and Instability: Investigate and fix the causes of crashes and instability.
  • Improve Alarm Clock Reliability: Fix the issues with the alarm clock function, ensuring that it goes off reliably and that music playback works correctly.
  • Add Air Quality Data: Include air quality information to provide users with a more comprehensive view of environmental conditions.
  • Improve Zoom Capabilities: Allow users to zoom in closer on the globe for more detailed local views.

Low Priority:

  • Add Apple Watch Support/Complications: Develop or improve Apple Watch support and complications.
  • Option to Display Real Temp with "Feels Like" Temp: Provide users with the option to see both the actual temperature and the "feels like" temperature simultaneously.
  • Lock Screen Integration: Explore the possibility of allowing users to use the app as a live wallpaper on their lock screen.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Hyperlocal Weather Visualization: An app that combines the visual appeal of Living Earth with highly accurate, hyperlocal weather data and forecasting.
  • Personalized Weather Widget Platform: A platform that allows users to create custom weather widgets with a wide range of display options and data sources.
  • Global Environmental Awareness App: An app that combines weather data with other environmental information, such as air quality, fire danger, and sea ice coverage, to raise awareness of global environmental issues.
  • Interactive Weather Education App: An app that uses interactive visualizations and simulations to teach users about weather patterns, climate change, and other environmental topics.

Trends and Observations

  • Long-Term User Base: The app has a loyal user base, with many users having used it for several years.
  • Dependence on Accuracy: Users are highly dependent on the app's accuracy for planning their daily activities and travel.
  • Visual Appeal as Key Differentiator: The app's visual appeal is a key differentiator, but it is not enough to compensate for inaccurate weather data.
  • Desire for More Features: Users are constantly requesting new features, such as radar integration, air quality data, and improved widget functionality.
  • Concerns about Abandonment: The lack of recent updates has led to concerns about the app's future and potential abandonment by the developer.

Conclusion

Living Earth - Clock & Weather is an app with a strong foundation and a loyal user base. However, its inaccurate weather data and infrequent updates are significant weaknesses that need to be addressed. By prioritizing improvements to data accuracy, increasing update frequency, and enhancing widget functionality, the developer can restore user confidence and ensure the app's continued success. The app's visual appeal remains a key differentiator, but it needs to be paired with reliable data and ongoing development to meet user expectations. Overall, the app has the potential to be a leading weather app, but it needs a renewed focus on accuracy and maintenance to reach its full potential.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/living-earth-clock-weather/id379869627?uo=2