Customer Reviews (134)

Chuck Conyers • 2024-11-15T13:38:20-07:00

Very easy to read tide charts.

Xkhalidvv • 2024-11-12T12:42:21-07:00

I do not recommend it, I regretted buying it because he wants the geographical location, and if I write something that is not accepted

Srfnff • 2024-10-13T14:26:35-07:00

Loaded the app on my iWatch and put on my watch face. It only connects about half the time. Very annoying. If I wanted to pull my phone out every time I want to check the tide I would not have loaded it on my iWatch. Contacted support and so far, crickets.

Summary of Key Insights

  • Tides PRO - Tide Times is generally well-received, with a high percentage of 5-star reviews. Users appreciate the app's ease of use, accuracy, and helpfulness in various activities like fishing, boating, and beach walks. The app's Apple Watch integration is a significant selling point for many, but also a source of frustration for some due to persistent bugs. A significant number of users report issues with the Apple Watch complication not working correctly or consistently. There are also complaints about location finding and occasional data loading issues. The app is praised for its graphical presentation of tide data.

  • Strengths: Accuracy, ease of use, helpful tide information for various activities, graphical presentation, and Apple Watch integration (when it works).

  • Weaknesses: Apple Watch complication issues, location finding problems, occasional data loading issues, text size issues, and lack of a widget for iPhone/iPad.

  • Overall Sentiment: Positive, with an average rating leaning towards 4 or 5 stars, but with significant frustration regarding specific features.

  • Quantitative Metrics:

    • Overall Rating: Approximately 4.3 stars (estimated based on review distribution).
    • Score Distribution:
      • 5-star: 64.18% (86 reviews)
      • 4-star: 9.70% (13 reviews)
      • 3-star: 7.46% (10 reviews)
      • 2-star: 5.22% (7 reviews)
      • 1-star: 13.43% (18 reviews)

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 134 reviews
  • Time Frame: Reviews span several years, with some older reviews mentioning issues that may or may not be resolved in the latest version.
  • Analysis Methods:
    • Sentiment Analysis: Categorizing reviews as positive, negative, or neutral based on language used.
    • Keyword Extraction: Identifying frequently mentioned keywords and phrases related to features, issues, and user experience.
    • Thematic Analysis: Grouping reviews based on common themes or topics, such as Apple Watch integration, location finding, or data accuracy.

Key User Pain Points

  • Apple Watch Complication Issues: The most frequently mentioned problem is the Apple Watch complication not working correctly, displaying incorrect information, failing to update, or showing a "loading data" message indefinitely. This significantly impacts the user experience for those who rely on the watch app for quick tide information.
  • Location Finding Problems: Some users struggle to find specific tide stations, or report that the app is locked to an initial location and cannot be changed. The inability to find or change locations renders the app useless for those users.
  • Data Loading Issues: Some users experience intermittent data loading problems, where the app displays a "loading data" message for extended periods. This can be frustrating when users need quick access to tide information.
  • Text Size Issues: Some users find the text too small, particularly on the Apple Watch, making it difficult to read the tide information.
  • Lack of Response from Developer: Some users reported that their support requests were not answered.

Frequently Requested Features

  • iPhone/iPad Widget: Many users would like to have a widget for quick access to tide information on their iPhone or iPad home screen.
  • Currents Information: Sailors are specifically requesting current information (speed and direction) integrated into the app, especially on the Apple Watch.
  • Smoother Tide Trace on Graph: Users want a smoother trace on the tide graph for better visual clarity.
  • Larger Text Option: An option to increase the text size, particularly for the Apple Watch display.
  • Ability to add locations that are missing: Several users reported that certain locations were missing from the app.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Ease of Use: Many users praise the app for its intuitive interface and ease of use.
  • Accuracy: The app is generally considered accurate in its tide predictions.
  • Graphical Presentation: Users appreciate the graphical representation of tide data, finding it helpful for visualizing tide patterns.
  • Apple Watch Integration: When it works correctly, the Apple Watch integration is a significant selling point, providing quick access to tide information on the wrist.
  • Comprehensive Coverage: The app covers a wide range of tide stations around the world.
  • Helpful for Various Activities: Users find the app helpful for fishing, boating, beach walks, and other activities influenced by tides.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Fix Apple Watch Complication Issues: This is the most critical issue, as it affects a significant number of users and undermines a key selling point of the app. Thoroughly test the Apple Watch complication on different watch models and watchOS versions to identify and resolve the underlying bugs.
  • Improve Location Finding: Address the issues with location finding, ensuring that users can easily find and select the correct tide stations. Implement a more robust search functionality and allow users to add custom locations if needed.
  • Address Data Loading Issues: Investigate and resolve the intermittent data loading problems. Optimize the app's data retrieval process to ensure quick and reliable access to tide information.
  • Improve Customer Support: Respond to user inquiries and address their concerns promptly and effectively.

Medium Priority:

  • Add iPhone/iPad Widget: Develop a widget for iPhone and iPad to provide users with quick access to tide information on their home screen.
  • Increase Text Size Options: Provide options to increase the text size, particularly on the Apple Watch, to improve readability.
  • Smooth Tide Trace on Graph: Improve the visual clarity of the tide graph by smoothing the trace.

Low Priority:

  • Add Currents Information: Consider adding current information for sailors, but prioritize the more pressing issues first.
  • Add Missing Locations: Continuously update the app's database with new tide stations as needed.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Hyperlocal Tide Prediction Service: A service that uses real-time sensor data and advanced algorithms to provide even more accurate tide predictions for specific locations, potentially targeting niche markets like aquaculture or coastal engineering.
  • Tide-Based Activity Planner: An app that integrates tide information with other data sources (weather, user preferences, social events) to suggest optimal times for various activities like surfing, fishing, or kayaking.
  • Smart Buoy Network: A network of smart buoys that collect and transmit real-time tide data, providing a more comprehensive and accurate picture of tidal conditions.

Trends and Observations

  • Apple Watch Dependency: A significant portion of users rely heavily on the Apple Watch integration, indicating a trend towards wearable technology for accessing tide information.
  • Frustration with Updates: Some older reviews express frustration with the lack of updates, suggesting that maintaining app compatibility with new iOS and watchOS versions is crucial for user satisfaction.
  • International Appeal: The app has a global user base, but some users outside the US report issues with location finding and data accuracy, indicating a need for improved localization.

Conclusion

Tides PRO - Tide Times is a valuable app for anyone who needs tide information, but the persistent issues with the Apple Watch complication are a significant weakness. Addressing these issues should be the top priority. Adding a widget and improving the user interface would further enhance the user experience. Overall, the app has a strong foundation and the potential to become even better with targeted improvements.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tides-pro-tide-times/id1016528618?uo=2