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Weather & Environment · head to head

Apple Weather (Dark Sky) vs Sea Machines

Apple Weather (Dark Sky) logo

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Weather & Environment

Hyperlocal precipitation forecasts built into iOS

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Sea Machines logo

Sea Machines

Maritime & Shipping

Autonomous vessel control systems

From
$50000/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Apple Weather (Dark Sky) has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Apple Weather (Dark Sky) dark Sky as a standalone app and API no longer exists, it was removed from the App Store and its API shut down; Dark Sky's technology now only exists folded into the built-in Apple Weather app, so any 'Dark Sky' branded product/API can no longer be evaluated or purchased; Sea Machines requires hardware fitted to the vessel; the autonomy systems are retrofits or new build installations rather than a software purchase
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Sea Machines covers Autonomous control.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and Sea Machines actually diverge.

Attributes where Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and Sea Machines differ
AttributeApple Weather (Dark Sky)Sea Machines
Starting priceFree$50000/one-time
Pricing modelfreeone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, macOSEmbedded, Web, Mobile
CategoryWeather & EnvironmentMaritime & Shipping
Founded20112015

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

  • Minute-by-minute precipitation
  • Next-hour forecasts
  • Severe weather alerts
  • Air quality
  • UV index
  • iOS widgets
  • Siri
  • Apple Watch

Only in Sea Machines

  • Autonomous control
  • Remote operation
  • Collision avoidance
  • Pattern following
  • Vessel systems
  • Communication networks
  • Shore-based control
  • Embedded support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

  • Checking hyperlocal current conditions and next-hour precipitation forecasts on iPhone/iPad/Mac/Apple Watchnot Sea Machines
  • Viewing hourly forecasts for the next 10 daysnot Sea Machines
  • Viewing high-resolution precipitation radar mapsnot Sea Machines
  • Receiving severe weather notificationsnot Sea Machines

Sea Machines

  • Intelligent voyage and transit autonomy for workboatsnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Pattern autonomy for survey and repetitive route worknot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Collision avoidance using the AI-ris computer vision sensornot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Remote command and control of vessels, including in GPS denied environmentsnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)
  • Fleet management and telemetry through Fleetviewer and the SMLINK APIsnot Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

  • Dark Sky as a standalone app and API no longer exists, it was removed from the App Store and its API shut down; Dark Sky's technology now only exists folded into the built-in Apple Weather app, so any 'Dark Sky' branded product/API can no longer be evaluated or purchased
  • Apple Weather has no public pricing/API tier of its own comparable to the old Dark Sky API, developers must use Apple's separate WeatherKit product instead
  • Apple Weather (the consumer app) is limited to Apple's own platforms; it is not available on Android or Windows

Sea Machines

  • Requires hardware fitted to the vessel; the autonomy systems are retrofits or new build installations rather than a software purchase
  • Targeted at vessels from 10 to 300 ft, so it does not address the largest commercial tonnage
  • Pricing is not published and is arranged directly with the vendor
  • The SM300-NG is the class-approved unit, so the cheaper SM300-SP does not carry the same approval

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Weather (Dark Sky)

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full weather features
    • Minute-by-minute rain
    • Severe alerts

Sea Machines

$50000/one-time
  • SM300$75000/one-time
    • Autonomous control
    • Collision avoidance
    • Remote operation

Which should you pick?

Choose Apple Weather (Dark Sky) if

  • You need minute-by-minute precipitation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, macOS.
  • You also want next-hour forecasts.
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) review

Choose Sea Machines if

  • You need autonomous control.
  • You work on Embedded, Web, Mobile.
  • You also want remote operation.
Sea Machines review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Sea Machines better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) starts at Free and Sea Machines at $50000/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Sea Machines?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apple Weather (Dark Sky) and $50000/one-time for Sea Machines.
Does Apple Weather (Dark Sky) or Sea Machines run on more platforms?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) runs on iOS, macOS. Sea Machines runs on Embedded, Web, Mobile.
Can I use Apple Weather (Dark Sky) for free?
Yes. Apple Weather (Dark Sky) has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Sea Machines starts at $50000/one-time.
What is Apple Weather (Dark Sky) best used for?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) is most often used for checking hyperlocal current conditions and next-hour precipitation forecasts on iphone/ipad/mac/apple watch, viewing hourly forecasts for the next 10 days, viewing high-resolution precipitation radar maps, receiving severe weather notifications. Of those, checking hyperlocal current conditions and next-hour precipitation forecasts on iphone/ipad/mac/apple watch and viewing hourly forecasts for the next 10 days are not what Sea Machines is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Weather (Dark Sky) do that Sea Machines cannot?
Apple Weather (Dark Sky) covers Minute-by-minute precipitation, Next-hour forecasts, Severe weather alerts, Air quality. Sea Machines covers Autonomous control, Remote operation, Collision avoidance, Pattern following.
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