Question

I’m confused.  If ST wants to phase out the Classic App, why are they still fixing bugs and doing updates to it?I’m confused. If ST wants to phase out the Classic App, why are they still fixing bugs and doing updates to it?  

Answer 1

Because the new app is trash and they know it

Answer 2

Best guess is to keep it running in parallel with the new app for now

Answer 3

Pretty sure the app has no clue what's going on. I mean I'm literally connected to First Things First.  

Answer 4

They have said repeatedly it will not be pulled offline until parity exists. They also know they are a long way from full parity. (at least 10 months by my best estimates) so until then they have to fix really broken stuff.  

Comments

@anatolia7046 maybe they should start with the new app

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@achaea29767 two different teams.  

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@anatolia7046 gotcha. Maybe they should swap em. I never have issue with the legacy app.  

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Maybe. Maybe not. Im just glad some manager at Samsung hasnt bewn able to force the migration yet.  

Answer 5

The majority of custom DH's will never work in the new app. If they cut off the old app, they will piss off the majority of their core base. Everyone will flood to Hubitat overnight.  

Comments

@ides8 I agree they would hemmorage thier champion user base. Although they do have plans that should allow most custom DTHs to eventually at least transition. (source: Jody Albritton, 'Get ready to make the switch' megathread on the community site) I carefully say transition as it probably won't include direct consumption of custom DTHs and instead using yet unannounced VIDs allowing composite custom devices. I just wish theyd ho ahead and at least present what they have up their sleeve so we (collective user base) could try it and give feedback.  

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Right? This is the longest transition in world history! I don't think they have any plan for active tiles though (dynamic tiles in the app). That's a big part of the old app custom DH's that many are unwilling to give up

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@ides8 actually they do have something planned (again source: Jody). Look for the transactions with Tonesto and Bangali in that thread. It should allow things like the custom interfaces Anthony is notorious for in Nest Manager and the like to have a replacement.  

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Unless Hubitat decides to start into the integrated mesh network arena, I see them and Smarthings as apples and oranges.  

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@bradney sure, if you don't use SmartThings as a smart hub.  

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@ides8 but when I did my analysis to choose my smart home platform, the integration with a strong mesh network and all the security that comes with it was my reasoning to choose Smarththings. The smart devices don't rely on their own extenders and jump on to the to closest hub.  

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You aren't getting any added security by using an ST mesh WiFi access point with built in Z-Wave/Zigbee radios vs any Z-Wave/Zigbee repeating device. Only the main AP acts as an endpoint. The others will repeat the signal through the Z-Wave/Zigbee mesh just like any other device. They don't pass directly on to the main point unless they happen to be the next hop.  

Answer 6

The Classic app versions are “fixing” things to enable migration to the new app. I. e., the migration banner and program, disabling routines and SHM when it’s removed, point Classic to the Classic Alexa skill instead of the new one, etc.  

Answer 7

Several things still don't work properly in the new app

Comments

@nabob39 like the whole fing thing?  

Answer 8

I’m not a tech guy but aren’t apps pretty easy to build these days? I’d think a global engineering powerhouse like Samsung could knock this out over a long weekend

Comments

@narcolepsy i am a tech guy. And no. They aren't. Not to build them well, even when you do have the best staff. (and inwill refrain from speculation on the skills of thier development staff. )

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@anatolia7046 person who has written apps and corresponding backends here, not that easy sadly, even with an awesome team

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@slap639 #truefacts Admittedly the tooling is much better these days and its much easier to write once and run on various platforms but with something as complex as an IoT platform written to interact wit literally thousands of devices on two major end user platforms and at least four variants of interface devices on two back ends with hundreds of local hardware variants and equally as many languages. Im suprised they're doing as well as they are. My biggest issue is transparency with future plans.  

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@narcolepsy they aren’t using cross platform tooling (so android and iOS apps are totally separate codebase) the reason they most likely are not is even though the tools exist when used they almost always lead to sub-par apps.  

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Their problem is not simply the app. Probably the entire huge backend microservices that they have are completely different between apps

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If you just want a super simple app then yes they are easy to build but in general people have much higher expectations for apps so building a good one is probably harder than it has ever been.  

Answer 9

Because they are no where close to phasing out the old app. Every issue I’ve brought to them, the response is “that doesn’t work in the new app, keep using classic”

Comments

@angell Understood, and agreed. But UPDATES to Classic?  

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Every program has bugs. They also need to occasionally tweak the classic so that they can keep saying "use the classic version for now" as new devices come into demand.  

Answer 10

They need to first create a good smooth path to upgrade using existing device configurations and settings. zero service interruptions.  

Answer 11

Because the “new” app still isn’t even halfway usable.  

Answer 12

Did they fix the missing icons?  

Comments

@hexateuch nope. Jusy checked. Still broken.  

Answer 13

They gotta keep it somewhat stable until everyone is switched over.  

Answer 14

Because the classic app is 1000x better than the shit new one.  

Answer 15

Switched over to the new app and had nothing but trouble. Slow response, circles spinning endlessly until the app was closed and reopened. Switched back but now use ActionTiles as my daily front end. Samsung killed this product imo. Just waiting for the hardware to die so I can switch over to something else that has a responsive and engaged company backing the product.  

Answer 16

They need to release a new app to replace the “new” app that hasnt really worked well for a couple of years now. Imagine the fun: classic/old app, old new app, new new app. Whee!  

Comments

And don't forget the new and improved new new app that actually works.  

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@sammy, which is actually the updated old app rebranded to be the new and improved, new new app.  

Answer 17

This new app is the worst smart home app that I've used to date. Hopefully they never finish the migration

Answer 18

Classic app 4 life.  

Answer 19

So why are they creating the new app? What's the driving force?  

Comments

@estis Samsung being Samsung, that's what. They're all about worthless software. They were handed a solid platform when they bought it, and have done nothing but run it into the ground. All in the name of appealing to more "novice" technical users. Unfortunately they have failed in that as well.  

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They probably want to sell more to "dumb" users and not only technical people

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Sadly, they could have done that years ago by just improving the user interface and adding new features to the old app.  

Answer 20

Move to home assistant

Comments

I did about three months ago and absolutely love it

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@journalistic2 what is that?  

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@waist2 it's a home automation system but it works locally so don't need the cloud so your in control.  

Answer 21

Because they know the new version sucks.  

Answer 22

Because it works and the new app sucks still. LOL I dread the day the classis dies.  

Answer 23

Because the new app still has a lot of work to be done and Classic needs to remain stable.