Great hardware system, so-so software

The Savant home automation system is truly great, especially insofar as the hardware (and software infrastructure) is concerned. However, the user interface is merely ok, and certainly not up to the standards (or price) of the system as a whole. Specifically, this particular version for Mac OS X is merely a clone of the iPad version, but without that versions full functionality (for instance, it lacks the energy monitoring screens). Furthermore, certain interface features are simply poorly thought-out: when you select an auto-off time for the TV, say, after clicking the "Enable timer" button, the next screen youre taken to has only one option at the top, "Cancel." While this doesnt actually cancel your timing request, it sure looks as though it might, and that can certainly be better designed. Really, the whole interface could use a bit of a redesign, to both look and function better (for example, finely controlling the audio volume is difficult on small screens: couldnt this slider "grow" when you select it to give you finer control?)

In general, the Savant system does not allow enough end-user customization. Want to rename a room or zone? Call the programmer. Want to rename a particular source? Call the programmer. Want to set up simple things like lighting groups or timings, or HVAC schedules? Call the programmer. Want to reset the default zone for a particular remote? Call the programmer. Really? It doesnt need to be like this.

These folks need to hire a few dedicated people who do nothing but fix up the software and bring it up to the standards of Apples own software with regards to human interface design, rather than keep pumping out new hardware while their softwares interface, functionality and flexibility remain stagnant.

FrustratedUser923847 about Savant TrueControl