Feature Request: Smartphone connectivity
Answered
I would love to have the ability to display calls on my Karoo (and answer or reject them) as this would allow me to keep my smartphone in my pocket instead of mounting it to my handlebars
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I second this request for connectivity to my smartphone, notifications on screen of sms or incoming call and caller id would allow me to decide on the importance of the message or call and decide whether to pull over to retrieve my phone from pocket to answer or reply. So annoying pulling over only to find a lame unimportant sms or cold caller interrupting my ride.
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I do also think smartphone connectivity will be very beneficial, I fully understand you want to make this a standalone device but by adding phone connection it does not mean it will no longer be a stand alone device. It is a standard feature with pretty much all bike computers have though they do not require phone connection throughout the ride if the rider does not want to.
A mobile phone can never be replaced by a GPS computer, there are other bike computers that can run without mobile connection. I loved absolutely everything about my lezyne mega XL except for the navigation hence the upgrade, but if it means I have to sacrifice basic features like important phone messaged and call alerts which is extremely useful on group rides e.g I missed the breakpoint or something has happened and I need to turn back, these are just basic examples but if there is no intention of implementing such a crucial feature of a 'bike computer' and live track is not added within my 'risk free trial' period then I am certainly sending mine back, again the live track can be implemented with a phone connection to save the unnecessary cost of an additional sim(which again serves no purpose)
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Hi Hari,
Your argument makes no sense because almost every single Wahoo,Garmin and Lezyne cycle computer provides the functionality that I'm talking about, and they are very much standalone cycle computers.Your integration with Garmin Varia radar & lights and with di2 / EPS also contradicts your point.
Communicating with a mobile phone does not mean that your product is not standalone, it merely adds the kind of functionality most users want out of their cycle computers (and the feedback from other users on this thread confirms that).
This functionality is critical because the Karoo is way too big to allow me to have my phone mounted to my handlebars. If I can see who's calling me and answer/reject calls, then I can keep my phone in my pocket.
Could you please confirm with your development team once more that you are not going to add this feature, because if this is the case I will be sending my unit back this week.
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For me integration with mobile phones is also very much wanted. I like that I can see who is calling/texting me so that I can decide to get my phone out of my backpocket or leave it there.
I used to ride with a Wahoo Elemnt and the integration there was exactly what I needed
Please Hammerhead add this to the Karoo!
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It shouldn't be too hard a thing to implement compared to a lot of other roadmap items - just a copy of the SMS text message or call details would suffice.
It would go perfect with this large screen and would allow us to continue long rides without the kerfuffle of stopping and checking the phone.
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I would also like to have my Karoo connect to my phone via Bluetooth for notifications. That is a feature that I missed most when I switched from my Garmin Edge 820 to my Karoo. When I ride in the Winter, I have to bury my phone under layers of clothing to keep the battery from freezing. When I get a message or phone call, I have to ignore it until I can stop and dig my phone out. Most of the time the message is unimportant and can wait until I finish my ride, but sometimes I miss an important message! To have a message pop up on my Karoo along with a tone over my Bluetooth speaker would be very helpful!
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I think the key here is Bluetooth connectivity. Make the integration as power efficient as possible, and limit the phone service to 3 things specifically: communication notifications (phone, SMS), Strava Live segments (although I feel you could possibly tie this to the map upload with a refresh every wifi connection - honestly, how often does the segment change, leaders, yes, but segment), and ride upload/save.
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The Karoo is a heavy unit. But due to it's internal SIM which is unlike other cycling computers, with software development it can become the lightest of all cycling computers. How? Because it would mean I could leave my phone at home. As an android-phone-using, bluetooth-audio-bone-conduction-listening wanna-be-weight-weanie, this would be the best option ever! I can either get a duplicate SIM, or put my phone SIM in the unit before going on a ride, I could also copy some music to it, synch my contacts with my google account, send txts directly to people from hammerhead using that ample screen and awesome UI. All I use my phone for on a ride is streaming audio to my headphones, taking calls, sending texts, navigation. The Karoo could totally do all of this meaning I wouldn't need my phone! Come one guys, tell me this is the vision!!!
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The K2 does have some similar integrations. https://support.hammerhead.io/hc/en-us/articles/360054073194-Android-Smartphone-Notifications
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