Evolution of Mirai Live

[Gran_Puma]

Just wondering if anybody out there has the app and can give feedback as to how happy they are with it as both an educational/technique reference tool and a "calender" for activities?
It has been a while since launch so I'm guessing any early bugs are now ironed out, improvements made and what is available now is essentially the backbone of the app and how it will operate.
I know there was a lot of emphasis on the educational angle when Mirai Live was up and running and plenty of reference to "nuance" when it came down to specific timing for jobs/activities related to tree maintenance. I struggle to see how that can be effectively incorporated into an app that does all things for all people, everywhere. I know there is zoning etc but that doesn't really accurately translate in Australia for instance, and then there is differentiating between trees depending on their developmental stage etc... Not trying to stir up a hornet's nest but just genuinely interested how effective the app is at dealing with timing of tasks and maintenance for individual trees along with providing an educational service to those that have it.
I genuinely wish Ryan well, he did a massive amount to promote and elevate bonsai in the western world over the last decade plus ... my hat is off to him.

I paid for the annual pro subscription by accident this year and I have to say the app is underwhelming in my opinion. The only "pro" calendars I have access to are the deciduous calendars, I can't figure out if I should have access to the conifer pro calendars, some people seem to have access to them and others don't. As an idea it has merit, but the current state of the app isn't really ready for prime-time with the lack of information that was communicated to be in the pro calendar side of the app. I'm sure it was pushed out this year in order to give Ryan the ability to change his work schedule to better fit his family life, everyone deserves a work/life balance that benefits themself.

At this point I'm going to do a couple months of Bjorn's platform in February and March when I should have some time to watch videos/streams. That would place me at little over a year since I was on his platform, there should be plenty to catch-up on.

 

[Maiden69]

View attachment 574266

I remember when those were $1 each, about triple the size and tasted way better... LOL, it's been decades.

 

[Hartinez]

I remember when those were $1 each, about triple the size and tasted way better... LOL, it's been decades.

I’m pretty sure this is just what Amazon has them listed as. My son sold them this year and they were still a dollar! Someone call that owner and figure out what makes them inflation proof!

 

[Maiden69]

Someone call that owner and figure out what makes them inflation proof!

I can tell you they are not the same. They are about 1/3 - 1/4 the size they were (in the mid-late 80's), they have about 2-4 almonds tops, and the taste is definitely blander. So, less quantity and less quality is the reason why. Same with most things that are similarly priced as a few decades back.

 

[Hartinez]

I can tell you they are not the same. They are about 1/3 - 1/4 the size they were (in the mid-late 80's), they have about 2-4 almonds tops, and the taste is definitely blander. So, less quantity and less quality is the reason why. Same with most things that are similarly priced as a few decades back.

Ok. It was a joke. But ok. Thanks for the explanation but I’m pretty sure it was shitty chocolate when I sold it in the 90s also.

 

[pandacular]

Just wondering if anybody out there has the app and can give feedback as to how happy they are with it as both an educational/technique reference tool and a "calender" for activities?
It has been a while since launch so I'm guessing any early bugs are now ironed out, improvements made and what is available now is essentially the backbone of the app and how it will operate.
I know there was a lot of emphasis on the educational angle when Mirai Live was up and running and plenty of reference to "nuance" when it came down to specific timing for jobs/activities related to tree maintenance. I struggle to see how that can be effectively incorporated into an app that does all things for all people, everywhere. I know there is zoning etc but that doesn't really accurately translate in Australia for instance, and then there is differentiating between trees depending on their developmental stage etc... Not trying to stir up a hornet's nest but just genuinely interested how effective the app is at dealing with timing of tasks and maintenance for individual trees along with providing an educational service to those that have it.
I genuinely wish Ryan well, he did a massive amount to promote and elevate bonsai in the western world over the last decade plus ... my hat is off to him.

No one has really addressed your question, so I’ll give it some thought before it gets lost.

I found the app’s calendar view to be pretty nice, mostly in terms of what I should be doing at any given time. I found the individual tree tracking to be a little clunky and not really manageable for a larger collection—I have my own system that I built out on Notion that is much more flexible.

The calendar has two paramters, hemisphere and USDA zone. My biggest issue with it is that for some task it gives just a date rather than a horticultural response to look for. Often, the video will mention this, but I don’t always want to watch—maybe this speaks to the nuance you speak of.

The educational content is targeted at beginners. It’s good, but knowing your trees, it’s likely below your skill level.

Overall, my feeling is that the app is better for beginners and intermediate.

 

[Wood]

The calendar has two paramters, hemisphere and USDA zone. My biggest issue with it is that for some task it gives just a date rather than a horticultural response to look for. Often, the video will mention this, but I don’t always want to watch—maybe this speaks to the nuance you speak of.

I find this wildly ironic because my impression was that Ryan Neil was such a primary driver of looking for clues from the tree before doing some kind of work, only to turn around and push out a product that's purely pegged to a date. I'm sure the calendars are within the ballpark of accurate and you wouldn't hurt the tree too much by following it in lockstep though

 

[Kanorin]

I find this wildly ironic because my impression was that Ryan Neil was such a primary driver of looking for clues from the tree before doing some kind of work, only to turn around and push out a product that's purely pegged to a date. I'm sure the calendars are within the ballpark of accurate and you wouldn't hurt the tree too much by following it in lockstep though

I agree. The calendar seems mostly for beginners and is not really useful to me. I guess more advanced folks wouldn't need or want a calendar anyway (it's better to look for tree or weather-related cues).

I do like the tips of the day and the ability to save those and go back through them. Some of the courses are useful too. All in all, leaves quite a bit to be desired, but there are some pieces that are still useful.

 

[Colorado]

I find this wildly ironic because my impression was that Ryan Neil was such a primary driver of looking for clues from the tree before doing some kind of work, only to turn around and push out a product that's purely pegged to a date. I'm sure the calendars are within the ballpark of accurate and you wouldn't hurt the tree too much by following it in lockstep though

So true…..I bet that somewhere in that old library of videos Ryan could be found saying “Now we don’t do bonsai on a calendar…”

 

[Ryceman3]

The calendar has two paramters, hemisphere and USDA zone. My biggest issue with it is that for some task it gives just a date rather than a horticultural response to look for. Often, the video will mention this, but I don’t always want to watch—maybe this speaks to the nuance you speak of.

Thanks for the feedback, I think this part of your response is kind of what I was interested in.
For example, I have about 30 JBP that I'll be looking to decandle in a couple of weeks.
I was thinking an app is capable of giving me calendar reminders of when I should have been fertilising over spring etc to build up strength for this, but I also know by looking at them, a couple just aren't going to be ready when it comes time ... for whatever reason. I guess I was interested in how the app can knit together timing with horticultural strength/response to give the user enough information to work their trees. I have experience to know what to look for in this example, but for someone looking to decandle for the first time they wouldn't necessarily have that and a calender based app is going to only give half the information they need to decide whether to perform an action.
The number one response to any bonsai related question is "it depends" and it's a big ask to have an app that can address that I guess. I suppose as long as that is understood by the user then it's fine as a basic reference.

 

[Carol 83]

I remember when those were $1 each, about triple the size and tasted way better... LOL, it's been decades.

Yep, back when I had to drag them to work to sell them for my kids.

 

[clem]

That’s definitely true and I think the content is great, just can’t justify spending the money monthly. [...]

I understand if you don"t have the time or motivation to watch those videos. But in terms of value for money it is not so expensive.

There is another "business model" which consists of buying each video individually but I find that it is almost taking us for cash cows with individual prices between 20 and.. 80€!! for 1 single video that we will only watch a limited number of times (5 times maximum?).

Select your online Bonsai course - Bonsai Empire

www.bonsaiempire.com

The Mirai model (like Netflix) allows you to watch a lot of videos per day, take notes, take screenshots (etc.) for €10 to €30 per month .."only" ^^

 

[clem]

Maybe it could be interesting for him to create a minimal (low cost) account ($5 or $10/month) with a reduced number of lessons in the library.

they did it ! 10 € per month with ALL the livestreams & lessons ->

 

[BobbyLane]

Yes thats definitely great value!
The gripe for most people seems to be the length of the videos, often I would have them on while styling trees, eating my dinner etc

Tempted to go back n binge the rest of the deciduous content now!
Looks tasty at $9.99!

 

[Dabbler]

Meaning the paid content from Bonsai-U or from Bjorn's free content?

Bjorn's free content

 

[hampton]

they did it ! 10 € per month with ALL the livestreams & lessons ->
View attachment 574568

I wasn’t aware they had restructured pricing, $10.00 is a great value for the content/streams. I was commenting on more on the calendar/lack of live streams at the Pro level.

Again, no ill will towards Mirai. I think Ryan has put together a great repository of information, I just can’t personally justify the $30.00 with the current state of the application. I do hope with some updates that changes or maybe I’ll shift over to the lower tier.

 

[clem]

I wasn’t aware they had restructured pricing, $10.00 is a great value for the content/streams. I was commenting on more on the calendar/lack of live streams at the Pro level.

Again, no ill will towards Mirai. I think Ryan has put together a great repository of information, I just can’t personally justify the $30.00 with the current state of the application. I do hope with some updates that changes or maybe I’ll shift over to the lower tier.

I agree. If one day I subscribe again, I will take the basic subscription (10€/month).

 

[MrBonsai19]

What I find most challenging about using the Mirai Mobile Calendar is that if you cancel your subscription you lose access to EVERYTHING. I just can't take the time to build out the catalog of trees in the calendar knowing that as I upload photos, make notes, and keep track of my activities, I will lose access to all the information that I have input if/when I pause the subscription. Much better to maintain my journal of trees in a service where I don't have to worry about losing access to my data.

If the Calendar were accessible even for paused/inactive subscriptions I think it would be a lot more compelling.

 

[Colorado]

Well, well, well…saw this on my Instagram this morning:


Maybe the live streaming is making a comeback?!

 

[Ruddigger]

Great, livestream lectures.