By people more senior and more involved in product than me (I’m in engagement), and the idea is to make it more welcoming to new users and help them get that “aha” moment. A lot of feedback we get (and I’ve seen this in person) is that it’s not clear exactly what the point of iNat is when someone new and especially someone not really into nature starts using the app. Carrie also discussed the more simplified mode here.
For what it’s worth, I’ve looked through thousands of observations made with the new app, of all data quality grades, over the past few days and I’m not noticing any trends of poorly chosen IDs, at least for California. At least nothing worse than normal, and maybe a bit better. But I think most people using the app are experienced users, so I’ll keep looking. When I’ve looked at observations in other parts of the world they also seem pretty realistic but I have less expertise in those areas.
If anyone else wants to do so, here are all observations made with the new app, of all data quality grades. You can add more filters beyond that. Of course, CNC has started and it will bring with it all sorts of confounding factors, so take those into consideration.