Shiny new features instead of sorting issues and requests.
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I woke this morning to an email stating there is new firmware for my K2 and I hoped the re-routing switch off had been implemented. Or alerts added (eat/drink/whatever dependant upon time/distance/calories) Or maybe the unusable overly complicated and none-configurable SLS page has had the much needed re-design. Maybe Di2 features back. Maybe GPS sensor back. Perhaps E-bike features added.The list goes on.
No. Some countdown thing... like a countdown of doom until your ride is complete. What a waste of your developers time.
Can you please shift emphasis and sort out what is actually wanted/needed by the users of the devices? Please.
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Interesting perspective. Personally, the new graphical displays for distance and ascent remaining (both previously available as data fields) are fantastic for me. I use these fields often during training rides to monitor my energy/power levels through interval or long-distance endurance work, and the graphic display is much easier to use. So, for me, these weren't a waste of developer time as as a user, this is something I definitely wanted. Use-case of 1.
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Honestly, SRAM/Hammerhead are glancing ownership on this BIGTIME, they've promised this back in October, or whenever, last year, yeh guys we're working on this that and whatever else that's being moaned about on these forums. So @Ali or whomever errant customer service job is on hand, WHAT THE karoo IS GOING ON, yep straight talk because yous aren't ????!?!? 😐 ~ so come on, get ya bloody fingers out!
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Hi All, Thank you, sincerely, for the time and effort you dedicate to helping us improve Karoo. There’s no question you all care in the same ways we care about our products. With all the several feature request and improvements we receive week on week we’re not able to respond to or deliver on all the requests we receive. There are a lot of factors that go into our product development decisions, but we always appreciate everyone's input as it helps define our priorities.
To provide additional insights, the features and improvement listed above are currently not the most requested ones from the growing community; through our various platforms, which includes the support tickets raised by riders, feedback shared on social media, as well as the feedback form attached on the release notes.
E-bikes is under development, and should be released once it is ready in a few weeks. We hope to work on everyone's desires to see the best on Karoo as soon as we are able to through our well defined process.
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I have to admit that I do feel a little disappointed when I read the Release Notes and don't see anything on my personal wishlist (Distance to Next POI, new layouts, Blank data fields).
And I fully understand that software development has to take all factors into planning consideration, not just mine.
All it would take to keep me happy is to let me know "What's in the Pipeline" via posted updates. This doesn't have to be a commitment or a promised time frame, but something to give me a sense of what might be coming over the next few update cycles.
Another regularly updated post that would be super helpful is "What We Are Thinking About Working On Next" which would list new features that are being considered so we can upvote those we really, really want (I don't think a downvote function would be useful).
I very much appreciate the work that is being done on my all-time favorite head unit and those two posts would help keep me and others engaged in the journey.
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Hi All, thanks again for your valuable inputs. Publishing a roadmap is something we have done in the past. With the experience, we have come to know how difficult it can be to maintain the Product development cadence with the roadmap, as Business priorities as well as the complexities come along the way. Our riders were deeply disappointed because we could not keep up with all the promises. Taking that experience forward, we do not want to promise something that we can’t deliver on time, and would rather be happy to announce timelines as they are ready.
Additionally, I can share that currently we are focusing on e-Bike, Language support, enhancing the Bluetooth functionality between the companion app and Karoo 2.
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A few comments, just from what I've noticed over the past 2 years.
It is no surprise to me to see HH shy away from posting a pipeline with an ETA. The backlash received starting with the release of the K2 (delayed) and missing features at launch saw a tremendous amount of upset customers. Also, in regards to what is the most requested feature list - the only thing we can see are the comments on this forum, we have no idea how many users are requesting other features (or have complaints) that are emailed, tweeted, DM'd etc.. (I am a bit surprised the 'turn-off auto routing' is not on the list.).
I suppose a possible compromise could be a list of 'we're listening: most requested features' but not include any dates - although I expect people will use this as another reason to get upset with 'this is on the list and it has been 9 months...'
I'd think something like language support would be very high on this list - expanding access to the device would be quite critical to growth.
I'm curious about the Bluetooth functionality with the companion app - I assume this is android only? -
After thinking on this a little further, it makes sense for HH to work on expanding into new markets (E-Bikes, other Countries) first rather than working on new features. Heck, even if they programmed everything on my wishlist they would be unlikely to sell a single new unit.
So, even if I don't get anything on my wish list I still 1) Want to see them stay in business and 2) Sell so many new units they have plenty of resources to work on new features (mine first, please).
I too would like to see a "most request features" blog post, but I understand why HH doesn't.
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