Higlo is Designed to be Inclusive

Higlo began with a simple vision: connect families together, no matter where they are. Over the past year we’ve spoken with hundreds of you: Grandparents who just want to speak to their grand kids, busy parents juggling dinner and homework and looking after their children, and tech-savvy tinkerers who can’t wait to peek under the hood.

From these conversations we’ve learned that our community naturally falls into two broad groups. Both are equally important to us, but they have very different needs. We want to build something that’s right for both groups. I’m sure our thinking around managing this will evolve over time, and I suspect I’ll do more communication around this, but here’s how we’re thinking about it in the middle of 2025.

1. The “Just-Make-It-Easy” Families

These are the families who told us:

• “My mum shouldn’t need a manual to call her grand-kids.”

• “I need to know my seven-year-old can’t wander into the wrong part of the internet.”

• “Less fiddling, more giggling on screen, please!”

For you, simplicity, safety, and inclusivity are non-negotiable. So we’re doubling down on:

• Simple use: No usernames to remember, no passwords, no hidden menus.

• Simple calling: No meeting invites, no various buttons to press

• Locked-down content: Nothing can sneak onto Higlo that you didn’t put there on purpose.

• Clear, friendly design: Simple visuals, well designed interfaces, and the easiest control mechanism.

• Invisible automatic updates that arrive quietly overnight and keep everything secure, but don’t keep changing what you’re use to

These aren’t “nice-to-haves.” They’re the very heart of Higlo, and they will always come first.

2. The Enthusiasts and Operators

Some of you love to customise and expand the use cases of Higlo. You dream of hooking Higlo into your smart-home routines, using various video services, use the device for family, but also work communication, and access many different services. We hear you, and want to support you.

Right now we’re exploring the best way to open those doors without risking the effortless and safe experience the rest of the families will rely on.

We have to figure this out, and we have to manage:

• Interoperability – advanced tweaks on one device shouldn’t break Grandma’s morning call, or make the experience for others worse.

• Security – extra freedom must not create extra risk for others that are part of the same network

• Support – we’ll need clear guides and a safe “reset” button in case something goes sideways.

The Default is Clear

As we figure out the right way to support both groups, it’s clear the default should be the simpler, safer, more streamlined experience. Those families, which are the majority, don’t want to have to setup, customise, and manage. This should be the normal.

But we’re exploring paths to unlock the “Pro Mode”, to give deeper control. This might involve offering access to lower levels of the system, to allow people to customise things further, make it more their own general purpose device.

Best Calling Experience

Under testing, we’ve found building a communication solution that is tailored for the hardware, and the design is done in one continuum between the hardware and the software, out performs off-the-shelf popular communication apps that have been developed to work on any hardware, in any situation. This probably doesn’t surprise you.

As we’re prioritising building the best calling experience, a custom made full communication solution, though more work, will give families the best experience.

Why We’re Sharing This

Families come in all shapes, sizes, and tech comfort levels. By explaining our thinking out loud we hope to:

• Give peace of mind to parents and grandparents that simplicity and safety will always be our top priority.

• Reassure enthusiasts that your curiosity and drive for productivity is welcome and will have a home on Higlo.

Looking Ahead

2025 is about perfecting the basics while building the foundations. As we iterate, we promise to:

1. Keep the core experience effortless. If it ever starts to feel complicated, we’ll pull back and rethink.

2. Design with openness in mind. Even if advanced features arrive later, we’re laying the plumbing today.

3. Listen continuously. Your stories, frustrations, and “wouldn’t-it-be-cool-ifs” guide our roadmap.

Thank you for trusting Higlo to connect your loved ones. Whether you’re here for the “just works” magic or the “let me tinker” thrills, we’re building a place for you.

Have thoughts or suggestions? If you’re on the waiting list, you have my email address already, and if you’re not, what are you waiting for?