Weather Station Setup

Setup Process and Error Avoidance: BloomSky weather station owners must set up their new station by connecting it to a wifi network and a BloomSky user account before it can capture and display weather data. A device can be set up from the app onboarding (if the user is opening the app for the first time) or from the location list and settings (from within the app). The starting screen of the setup flow provides information to ensure the user does not run into common errors during the setup process (see screen 1).

Navigation: Once the setup process begins, at the top of the screen is a navigation bar that allows a user to go back, see what step they are on within the entire setup, and exit the setup. This helps the user from getting stuck during the setup and sets expectations for how long it will take & where they are (see 2–4).

Setup Instructions: Throughout the setup, the app does the job of an instruction manual and informs the user what to do, what to look for, and where, at an appropriate time to avoid information overload (e.g. the power button is located on the bottom of the station; a red wifi light blinking means the weather station is on and ready to set up) (see 2).

Photo Testing: The photo test gives the user an easy way to see what their camera sees during the setup. With the photo preview, they can readjust and test as necessary (see 3). Otherwise, the alternative was to complete the station setup and wait for the 5-minute photo refresh rate of the station for each reposition, which would make a quick and simple process much more time-consuming.

Profile and Privacy: Afterwards, the user can change their station profile including name, description, and search privacy. Privacy had been an issue with customers previously because search results would show the address details of weather stations placed on customers' residences. To address the issue, search privacy was introduced as well as location approximations, in which the station's location pin would show on a randomized point within a circle around its location and the station's location would show as "Private address within neighborhood or city name" (see 4). After the setup, the user is once again confirmed of their privacy in the context of a location pin on a map to explain visual address privacy (see 6).

Setting Expectations: The next screen confirms setup completion and gives the user expectations on what to do next and what to keep in mind to reduce confusion and errors. Previously, the app had sent the customer to their weather station information screen with a blank image, leaving some customers confused as to whether their station was working because it takes the camera five minutes to take the first photo (see 5).

Search Introduction and Tutorial: Upon exiting the setup, the user will see their new weather station located on a map, to give them context of their weather station within the app and amongst all others in the BloomSky network, anchoring the different screens within the app to each other and communicating to the user that they are part of a community network (see 6). After they tap Okay, they will be introduced to the search screen and given next steps via highlights. The prompt to explore the app gives the user a chance to experience the rest of the app while their camera loads and takes its first photo (see 7–8)