App Gallery Reviews update

[JonFitbit]

I wanted to give you an update regarding the delays in the app gallery review process that have been caused by a small number of developers submitting a high volume of clocks.

I have worked with the platform team and the App Gallery Review team to formulate a number of specific changes which will dis-incentivize people from flooding the review queue, and effectively reduce the wait times for each developer.

The summary of changes are as follows:

1. The `Recently Viewed` clocks category will now only display 1 clock per developer from the past 7 days. Developers will not be able to batch publish 20 clocks flooding this category.
2. The App Gallery review queue will change so that the oldest clock/app from each developer will be prioritized first. So ideally each developer should only wait a short period for a single review. If a single developer submits 100 clocks, other developers will not need to wait for 99 other reviews before theirs are processed. This means that review time is evenly distributed across all developers.
3. We have also optimized the steps within the review process itself, so we should be able to perform each review faster.

These changes and potentially others will be rolling out in the coming weeks, thanks for your patience during this busy period.

[Mrch]

Hey @JonFitbitthank you for the update much appreciated! I have a pending review since February 24, but also an update coming. Should I wait for the review to be done or should I upload the update now so it can all be done at once?

[JonFitbit]

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@Mrch wrote:

Should I wait for the review to be done or should I upload the update now so it can all be done at once?

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If you cancel your pending review you'll rejoin at the end of the queue.

[curxxx]

How is Fitbit coping with recent events concerning COVID-19? Are your app reviews still continuing? I imagine you guys could work from home, right? Keep safe, everyone! 

[AndyXXX]

If the new rules haven't started. New clockfaces are not reviewed, for example, we have those that were not reviewed from March 6. Where then do the new clockfaces appear in the `Recently Viewed` section? And developers continue to flood, just look at the first page in the `Recently Viewed` section. I understand the current conditions associated with coronavirus but then there should be no accepted clockfaces at all. For many developers, this is a very important issue, we need to understand the timing, or at least given an explanation.

[JonFitbit]

We're all staying safe and working from home. Reviews are still happening, but the new measures mentioned above haven't been deployed yet. Occasionally you might see clocks appear out of order of their submission date, this would primarily be for AOD reviews, since they're handled separately.

[JonFitbit]

These changes are now live!

[SunsetRunner]

That's great to hear. However, I have noticed that the only clock faces that will show up on the main page of the gallery are those that rotate. Given that many of the spammers publish new content every day, it would be beneficial if those clock faces would be randomized like before the change. This would help to improve these changes. 

[BamaBob]

@JonFitbit, I just had an app submission rejected for the app name being one character too long.  I have adjusted and resubmitted.  Is there any way to expedite review of the revised app so I don't have to wait another 5.5 days?

Thanks,

Bob

[atomia10]

Hello,

We have been receiving the same message for almost a month - to be patient.

Is not our fault that there are technical problems that persist and are not solved. It is one of the reasons why there are so many applications for approval.

In my case, the oldest application was sent on March 11 for approval and I have not yet received a response.

In addition, throughout April I received only 2 answers.

The situation is not normal and I feel that solving technical problems is not a priority.

I come with the request to convey your opinion about the estimated time in which the situation returns to normal - and without  be patient.

Best regards.

[AndyXXX]

Hi. You can be patient for a month or two, but this much. New rules are being introduced and what we see after a while, they are simply not being followed. I don't understand Fitbit needs developers? Or only those who got access to the AOD program? Their watchfaces regularly appear on the first page. All the last watchfaces I did with the AOD in mind, but why?

[JonFitbit]

We're aware of the issue with the review queue and we're working to resolve it.

The AOD review queue has also been impacted, but it's handled separately, which is why you've send AOD clocks published.

Thanks for your patience at this time.

[FitPoint]

Hi. So is it possible to send a watchface with AOD, or do you need a special invitation?

[jeremiahlee]

Good changes. Please also consider how end users are affected by this. There are so many low quality watchfaces that it is overwhelming for people browsing. I encourage Fitbit to approve, but not necessarily make discoverable, designs of lower aesthetic value.

[SunsetRunner]

Define "Low Quality"...

"Low Quality" is relative...you may have spent 2 years making a clock/app that you think is the best quality ever produced...someone else deems it low quality just because it's not in their fave colour...who is right/wrong?

Surely the end user decides the quality not the creator?

[jeremiahlee]

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@SunsetRunner wrote:

Define "Low Quality"...

"Low Quality" is relative...you may have spent 2 years making a clock/app that you think is the best quality ever produced...someone else deems it low quality just because it's not in their fave colour...who is right/wrong?

Surely the end user decides the quality not the creator?

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Successful retailers curate what they put in their store and how they present products to customers. I think Fitbit should curate the watchface and app gallery to only feature third-party creations that meet a minimum threshold of functionality and design in its sections and search results. Third-party creations that do not meet this quality threshold should still be able to be installed if directly linked or perhaps an exact title match in search, but not otherwise discoverable. There simply is too much noise in the gallery today.

What is the threshold? If Fitbit wouldn't promote it as its own creation, Fitbit should not promote it period. Fitbit knows its own threshold for quality and it can apply it to third-party apps.

[SunsetRunner]

Again...sounds good in theory...BUT...the watchface you look at and see something basic and of low quality someone with sight problems may be like wow I have waited for this my whole life...

In the interests of fairness why not let end users decide if your product is quality or not by letting them install it on their watch...assuming you know what is best for the users is borderline psychic and you should put that to better use winning lotteries and donating it to charity or something haha

We can both spend the same time and effort making a watchface...one maybe graphically amazing the other nothing much...one passes the other doesn't...should our time and effort at least not be worth the same? or does that depend on who's was the one rejected? If our time is not equal...well...I would like to hear a good reason why not...

EDIT: I mean as long as it does what it says it's supposed to do...and it's not infringing on anyone...coz that's a different kettle of worms...

[Capitano]

Hi all,

Can you tell, what the average duration for a clockface review is? I have clockfaces with reviews pending since April, 30th and May, 5th.

Can you give us a rough value how long this takes currently?

Regards

Capitano 

[FitPoint]

It's amazing that you don't see a huge number of dials here that don't meet at least minimal design standards. Try to scroll through more than just the first pages.

[derekwilson]

Hi @JonFitbit 

Thanks for keeping us all in the loop. I do understand that these are very trying times and it is difficult to remain as efficient with the "new normal"

I also wanted to get a feel for how long the average wait in review queue is. I submitted for review on 1st May and its now been 6 weeks. I have an update I would like to submit but I am loath to rejoin the queue at the end 😞

Thanks for your help

Derek