Oh my, Grande!

When we moved to Austin, we thought long and hard about which internet and television provider to sign up with. After signing up for both, Time Warner and Grande Communications, we ended up choosing the local underdog: Grande Communications.

They promised higher internet speeds, more channels and better customer service. That works for us.

Until we saw their television interface.

I can’t remember my exact reaction but I assure you it was nothing less than horrified. I feel like I’m running Windows 1.0 on my television every time I turn it on. Note: it’s not a good feeling. The pixelation! The horror!

I was going to add notations to these screens but they’re so horrible, I think they can all speak for themselves.

“Welcome to the mid-80’s!”
Video On Demand
DVR Playback Channel
Channel Guide

When a customer service representative was questioned by my husband about their outdated interface, they told him that based on customer surveys, the customers preferred more channels than a slick interface. With that said, I hope these customers never end up at user testing for anything I ever design.

Grande Communications lacks much more than a pretty face, but an entire holistic experience. There is no evidence of anything remotely up-to-date about it, including supporting services like an iPad or iPhone application. This might bode well with the elderly but I can’t imagine how they will ever gain new customers without updating their software.

Give us something, anything! Or, please, just match all the corner radii and we’ll call a truce!