Leak suggests new Fitbit Surge smartwatch will best Apple Watch by integrating GPS

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  • Reply 21 of 64
    solipsismxsolipsismx Posts: 19,566member
    patpatpat wrote: »
    The dot is where you are, why would you need a map.

    You have that backwards. Why would you a dot to know where you are when there is no map to correspond to other locations around you?
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  • Reply 22 of 64
    john.bjohn.b Posts: 2,742member

    Add me to the list of people skeptical that Fitbit will be able to make a GPS downloadable watch at the $100 pricepoint.

     

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by djames4242 View Post

     
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by eightzero View Post



    I'm a cyclist, and my iPhone is part of my safety gear. Don't think you can call 911 or AAA (or find a mapped route) on this fitbit.



    Likewise, I cycle and run always have my phone with me. However, I can't run more than about eight miles with my phone's GPS enabled before I'm about out of battery. More than 40-50 miles on my bike is out-of-the-question. A dedicated GPS device helps solve the problem of a dead phone battery (which renders it useless for safety).


     

    I bike between 50 and 100 miles with my iPhone as my sole GPS device and have no problem with battery life, even with speed and cadence data via Bluetooth.  The only concessions I make for battery life is to turn off WiFi, don't run unnecessary apps and let the screen turn itself off normally. 

     

    I keep looking at the various Garmin devices but its hard to spend that money when my phone and an inexpensive app pretty much already do everything I need.

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  • Reply 23 of 64
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by SolipsismX View Post





    You have that backwards. Why would you a dot to know where you are when there is no map to correspond to other locations around you?

     

    Why would I care. The GPS would be to track my exercise route, not the location of the nearest Starbucks.

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  • Reply 24 of 64
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Tallest Skil View Post

     

     

    Great, so the little dot that tells me where I am is accurate, but there’s no map so I don’t know where the dot is.


     

    If you're going for a run or cycling, you're much more likely to want GPS capability to track where you've gone and how far travelled. Not to get directions.

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  • Reply 25 of 64
    john.bjohn.b Posts: 2,742member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Tallest Skil View Post

     
    Originally Posted by MazeCookie View Post

    GPS does not require a data connection, only visibility to GPS satellites. 

     

    Great, so the little dot that tells me where I am is accurate, but there’s no map so I don’t know where the dot is.


     

    I track my rides (MapMyRide, RideWithGPS, Strava, MotionX, etc.) but I tend to already know where I'm going.  OTOH, there are apps or bike computers/GPSs that will give you turn-by-turn directions if you need them, but that's different than route tracking.

     

    BTW, if you want to see how crazy this tracking stuff really gets, look up the prices for bicycle power meters.

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  • Reply 26 of 64
    ibeamibeam Posts: 322member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by djames4242 View Post

     



    I can't run more than about eight miles with my phone's GPS enabled before I'm about out of battery


    I'm no expert but I would guess the battery drain issue is primarily due to whatever app your are running. I have GPS and location services running all day long by default with no battery issues whatsoever.

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  • Reply 27 of 64
    eightzeroeightzero Posts: 3,209member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by djames4242 View Post

     



    Likewise, I cycle and run always have my phone with me. However, I can't run more than about eight miles with my phone's GPS enabled before I'm about out of battery. More than 40-50 miles on my bike is out-of-the-question. A dedicated GPS device helps solve the problem of a dead phone battery (which renders it useless for safety).

     

    If you look at most high-end GPS fitness watches, they generally run anywhere from $300-500. I doubt this will be much less; certainly it will be more than $100. I don't see it as a direct competitor to the Apple Watch. Apple Watch is a device you wear all-day as you would with any other watch. A dedicated sport watch is meant to be worn as an accessory during a fitness activity.


    Hum. My iPhone 5s has the location services enabled, but I'm not recording using Strava. I have a Garmin705 that records (and will be the last Garmin device I ever buy.) I don't have battery issues, so I'd suspect the app you're using to record.

     

    I've given thought to getting one of those battery booster cases for just this purpose. They are quite inexpensive.

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  • Reply 28 of 64
    john.bjohn.b Posts: 2,742member

    FWIW, here's a random RideWithGPS route from this year's STP that you can upload to a Garmin or a smartphone turn-by-turn app or an electronic cue sheet app:

     

    http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5274527

     

    Just as an example of what's possible.

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  • Reply 29 of 64
    eightzeroeightzero Posts: 3,209member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by John.B View Post

     

     

    I track my rides (MapMyRide, RideWithGPS, Strava, MotionX, etc.) but I tend to already know where I'm going.  OTOH, there are apps or bike computers/GPSs that will give you turn-by-turn directions if you need them, but that's different than route tracking.

     

    BTW, if you want to see how crazy this tracking stuff really gets, look up the prices for bicycle power meters.


    I suspect Apple Watch will have an app for turn by turn...and use taps on the wrist for left or right. 

     

    Power Meters are for serious athletes. I, however, don't really need a device telling me "push the pedals harder, you slacker."

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  • Reply 30 of 64
    pscooter63pscooter63 Posts: 1,084member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Tallest Skil View Post

     

    “best”




    "winning"

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  • Reply 31 of 64
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by ibeam View Post

     

    I'm no expert but I would guess the battery drain issue is primarily due to whatever app your are running. I have GPS and location services running all day long by default with no battery issues whatsoever.




    Curious - I tend to kill off all my apps and use MapMyRide to track my workout and use the Music app to listen to music. I used to use Spotify to stream, but found that killed off the battery faster (sometimes I do use Spotify, but only to listen to a playlist that has been downloaded). Two-to-three hours and I'm down to 20%.

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  • Reply 32 of 64
    ibeamibeam Posts: 322member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by djames4242 View Post

     



    Curious - I tend to kill off all my apps and use MapMyRide to track my workout and use the Music app to listen to music. I used to use Spotify to stream, but found that killed off the battery faster (sometimes I do use Spotify, but only to listen to a playlist that has been downloaded). Two-to-three hours and I'm down to 20%.


    Now with iOS 8 you can view your usage by app. Settings > General > Usage > Battery Usage

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  • Reply 33 of 64
    john.bjohn.b Posts: 2,742member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by eightzero View Post

     

    I've given thought to getting one of those battery booster cases for just this purpose. They are quite inexpensive.


     

    I've got a 15000 mAh external battery from Anker that will charge my phone every day for a week, I mostly use it for backpacking, camping etc. trips.  Also useful in airports.  They come in smaller sizes for those who aren't likely to be away from civilization for extended periods and want something lighter/smaller.  The one I bought for my son cost all of $19 on Amazon.

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  • Reply 34 of 64
    freediverxfreediverx Posts: 1,424member

    Fitbit will be out of business within 2 years.

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  • Reply 35 of 64
    pazuzupazuzu Posts: 1,728member
    It's a better looking watch too.
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  • Reply 36 of 64
    solipsismx wrote: »
    I'm glad to see the Surge has a decent looking strap. I loved using my Fitbit Force but that band, despite attempting to be vigilant in putting it on properly eventually fell off after a few months.
    You can use ?Watch indepentedly, like if you're going for a run you can use it as a clock, certain apps, and for music playback wirelessly. However, it's designed to be paired with an iPhone and will need to be paired in order to get the maximum, intended benefit as well as sync.
    Judging by the same, features, and new HW I'm guessing around $200 for this new Fitbit Surge.

    That makes me happy I can use it independently, and I will know likely purchase one. I currently do not own an iPhone, instead I do have an iPad mini. It'd be fantastic if you could pair it with an iPad, though I do doubt it.
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  • Reply 37 of 64
    john.bjohn.b Posts: 2,742member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by eightzero View Post



    Power Meters are for serious athletes. I, however, don't really need a device telling me "push the pedals harder, you slacker."

     

    Also useful for those of us who aren't serious athletes but want to improve.  My big thing is riding distance, and my Stages power meter really helped me understand how to properly train and to pace myself.  I hadn't ridden a century since my 20s, now I do weekly rides in the 400-700 mile range all through the summer.

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  • Reply 38 of 64
    They'll support HealthKit only if their customers want it? I think they've got it backwards. Why would I buy a new Fitbit if it doesn't support HealthKit? Any customers obviously don't find it a problem.
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  • Reply 39 of 64
    But will it be made of GOLD?!
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  • Reply 40 of 64
    MacPromacpro Posts: 19,873member
    I admit I was surprised at first that the ?Watch didn't have GPS. Then i started to think of all the things Apple missed out of other products that the Microcraps and Assdroid types added and the media were all over. Stuff like USB connections and HDMI on iPads. Funny thing is Apple seemed to win out all the same. It's almost as if Apple somehow figures out what is really needed in the things it makes. It is amazing really, you'd almost think Apple know what they are doing .... /s 8-)
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