Windows 10 and Netgear Arlo cameras

[silanah]

So where is the Windows 10 UWP app? 

Accessing via the web interface would be fine if it actually worked on any Windows 10 device. I'm not hung up on the idea of an 'app' but if you are not going to produce that app at all you need to make sure the web interface can do everything you can do via an app - for example, geofencing.  I want to take my mobile device - a Windows 10 tablet with GPS - with me to my business and have geofencing activated when I leave the set perimeter.  How do I do that?  The option is greyed out on the web interface and says it has to be set up on the "mobile device". Well that is what I am trying to do!  SO I thought maybe I need to set the mobile device to access the Arlo web interface via the mobile site rather than the full "desktop" site. No, that only gives the inane web page telling me to download the app, which of course there is not one.  Even my mobile phone gets the same "catch 22" scenario with the added annoyance that I can watch recorded videos but can't see a live stream because your web site is outdated and uses flash instead of modern html5. 

Alternatively, you really need to (1) change your product packaging and (2) print and send out stickers to all your retailers so they label current boxes with "If your business or residential devices use Windows 10, please buy another manufacturer's cameras as Netgear products have limited functionality when used with Windows devices."

There are a vast number of businesses using Windows devices whether desktop, laptop, tablet and, yes, even mobile phones. Right now you are just being commercially misleading (intentionally?) on your current packaging when you imply that any web browser interface is somehow equal to the iOS and Android apps. 

You know, if you don't have the Windows 10 know-how in house, you can hire it and have that app in no time...

Now, can you tell me how I get geofencing to work, PLEASE?   Thanks.

[JamesC]

silanah,

Geofencing requires the Arlo Mobile app (iOS or Android). Currently, Windows mobile devices are not supported.

There are discussions on this topic within the Arlo Idea Exchange. The Arlo development team routinely reviews these posts for ideas on how to improve and introduce new features to the Arlo system.

I encourage you to visit these discussions and offer your support by adding Kudos.

JamesC

[silanah · Accepted solution]

Hi James C,

I realize it is your job to post that carefully crafted response but you must surely cringe when you have to do it. SInce I had difficulty setting up the Q+ to get full feature functionality from the product I have been reading the community forum posts. 

The Idea Exchange you pointed me to seems to discuss widgets for iOS, apps for Apple TV, Apple Watch, a desire for Android TV app, etc. Quite a few have been made available well after the requests for Windows UWP app as the request for Windows UWP app is one of the oldest and the most kudo'ed on the Idea Exchange.  There was even a hint early on from someone who likes to appear as 'in the know' that it was in development or would shortly be so. No mention now even though Kudo number rises and, I suspect, would be a heck of a lot higher if the purchasers of the products didn't just get disgusted and return the products or resell on ebay before they pass away while waiting....

You wouldn't even need to do the mobile phone part if you didn't want to, just having the app for other Windows 10 devices would do. There are heaps of Microsoft Surface, Lenovo, Dell, HP devices running Windows 10 that are not 'desktops' but are 'mobile' and their business owners want to administer a security system using those mobile devices which happen to sit on their desktop. Frankly, I don't care if I use an app or a browser interface, I just want the same functionality. 

Heck if Netgear doesn't have the expertise to write a Windows 10 app or fix it's web site, they could even make more money and have a little device like those 'finder tags' that you could stick or attach to anything you want to act as one of the triggers for geofencing.  If you can't work out how to make your web site send push notifications, you could just get the little device to vibrate, buzz or have an LED light or something - I don't know, you are the guys who are supposed to understand the technology. It can't be that difficult nor time consuming.

While it really isn't a problem for someone to return (or not purchase) the Arlo as there are many open source based cameras with similar or greater functionality on the market, Netgear appeals as it is a cute design and the clever marketing spin makes it appear to be an easy, all-in-one solution for every home and business, app lover or web browser user.  However, given what I've learned in these few days of trying to implement the advertised features, Netgear really should label products "Limited functionality with Windows 10 devices" and list the available apps as mandatory 'System Requirements' on the packaging. To not do so is misleading to consumers and small businesses. Not to mention dealing with the open box returns to retailers for a product not fit for advertised functionality for which people are always entitled to a refund. 

Like a lot of small businesses, I can't afford to pay for 'pretty' if it doesn't do what it says it will do or it doesn't do what I need it to do.

Here's hoping my Support queries will turn up a work around and that Netgear will actually fill a genuine need in the small business market before bothering to give homeowners yet another app view on their large screen tv...

[rtdbw]

---

silanah wrote:

Hi James C,

I realize it is your job to post that carefully crafted response but you must surely cringe when you have to do it. SInce I had difficulty setting up the Q+ to get full feature functionality from the product I have been reading the community forum posts. 

The Idea Exchange you pointed me to seems to discuss widgets for iOS, apps for Apple TV, Apple Watch, a desire for Android TV app, etc. Quite a few have been made available well after the requests for Windows UWP app as the request for Windows UWP app is one of the oldest and the most kudo'ed on the Idea Exchange.  There was even a hint early on from someone who likes to appear as 'in the know' that it was in development or would shortly be so. No mention now even though Kudo number rises and, I suspect, would be a heck of a lot higher if the purchasers of the products didn't just get disgusted and return the products or resell on ebay before they pass away while waiting....

You wouldn't even need to do the mobile phone part if you didn't want to, just having the app for other Windows 10 devices would do. There are heaps of Microsoft Surface, Lenovo, Dell, HP devices running Windows 10 that are not 'desktops' but are 'mobile' and their business owners want to administer a security system using those mobile devices which happen to sit on their desktop. Frankly, I don't care if I use an app or a browser interface, I just want the same functionality. 

Heck if Netgear doesn't have the expertise to write a Windows 10 app or fix it's web site, they could even make more money and have a little device like those 'finder tags' that you could stick or attach to anything you want to act as one of the triggers for geofencing.  If you can't work out how to make your web site send push notifications, you could just get the little device to vibrate, buzz or have an LED light or something - I don't know, you are the guys who are supposed to understand the technology. It can't be that difficult nor time consuming.

While it really isn't a problem for someone to return (or not purchase) the Arlo as there are many open source based cameras with similar or greater functionality on the market, Netgear appeals as it is a cute design and the clever marketing spin makes it appear to be an easy, all-in-one solution for every home and business, app lover or web browser user.  However, given what I've learned in these few days of trying to implement the advertised features, Netgear really should label products "Limited functionality with Windows 10 devices" and list the available apps as mandatory 'System Requirements' on the packaging. To not do so is misleading to consumers and small businesses. Not to mention dealing with the open box returns to retailers for a product not fit for advertised functionality for which people are always entitled to a refund. 

Like a lot of small businesses, I can't afford to pay for 'pretty' if it doesn't do what it says it will do or it doesn't do what I need it to do.

Here's hoping my Support queries will turn up a work around and that Netgear will actually fill a genuine need in the small business market before bothering to give homeowners yet another app view on their large screen tv...

I am the same - I have had this Arlo camera's for a couple of years now and have had such difficulty getting it to work on my Windows phones.....I only have windows phones and I was made to believe that the Arlo netgear would work on my phone when I bought it which is why I bought it because I could access the camera's from my phone when away......well after so many attempts and frustrations realised that it wasn't going to work at all!!!!  I am very disgusted that I cannot access from my phone as advertised and have been waiting patiently for the app for a windows phone......SO HURRY THE HELL UP ARLO!!!!!!