Live tracking capabilities with GPS?

[natalya]

I'm guessing the answer is no since I haven't seen that it's possible but does/will the Ionic have live tracking capabilities with GPS? One of my favorite features on my Garmin is being able to connect to my phone via bluetooth and send an email/text to specific people allowing them to live track my runs. It's helpful for when I'm running races for my family/friends when they're spectating and a nice feature to have for safety reasons. I currently have an Alta HR and also where my Garmin when running. I would love to just have one device and the apparent lack of live tracking is what's holding me back from pre-ordering.

If live tracking isn't an option, I would love to hear what other solutions folks have come up with.

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[bbarrera]

No. I also use Garmin's live tracking on my bike computer, although its a lot easier to carry a phone while biking than while running. 

To get it down to one device you would need something like an Apple Watch 3 that supports LTE connection to send updates.

[datalore]

I'm thinking this is an app that could be developed. With the open SDK I don't see any reason we couldn't have a live tracking app with the Ionic. I'll dig into the code when I have time, but I think it's possible. 

[SunsetRunner]

@datalore i was thinking the same thing about the SDK, however I have not looked into it yet. Have you already delved into it? Would be curious to see what you have found. 

[N8teGee]

You would also need to carry your phone for this to work as the Ionic hasn't got its own cellular connection. 

[datalore]

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@SunsetRunner wrote:

@datalore i was thinking the same thing about the SDK, however I have not looked into it yet. Have you already delved into it? Would be curious to see what you have found. 

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I have a friend with a garmin watch and this weekend we did a long lake swim. His wife followed on her computer at home. Garmin does not have LTE, but he brought his phone along. They use something called live track and there is no reason fitbit couldn't implement the same thing. Live track is actually pretty cool and is something fitbit could easily implement. Check it out here: www.garmin.com/livetrack

[SunsetRunner]

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@datalore wrote:

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They use something called live track and there is no reason fitbit couldn't implement the same thing. Live track is actually pretty cool and is something fitbit could easily implement. Check it out here: www.garmin.com/livetrack

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I have it on my cycling computer, a Wahoo Elemnt Bolt, and yes, it is pretty cool. Anyone I choose to share a link with can see my route and location.

[natalya]

I'm actually okay with running with my phone. I do that anyway. Like my original message says, my Garmin connects to my phone via bluetooth and that transmits my location to whomever I send the link to. It's great for race tracking, for example. This is the capability I'm looking for.

[bbarrera]

Yes, live tracking is really nice. When starting a ride, my bike computer tells Garmin servers to send email to my wife and myself with a link to the live track. Instead of using Find My Friends she can pull up a map and see where I've been, and my current location. Useful when I venture out on hot long summer rides and she is going to meet me to refill my water bottles. And good peace of mind in case something happens on the ride.

For those thinking "its easy for Fitbit to do this" I'll just note that Wahoo added Live Tracking to their bike computer over a year ago. It just displayed a single dot on a map, ok but not very useful. Then in July they rolled out a major upgrade and its really nice now. Its a lot of work to implement, so don't hold your breath if Fitbit hasn't been working on it.

[datalore]

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@bbarrera wrote:

Yes, live tracking is really nice. When starting a ride, my bike computer tells Garmin servers to send email to my wife and myself with a link to the live track. Instead of using Find My Friends she can pull up a map and see where I've been, and my current location. Useful when I venture out on hot long summer rides and she is going to meet me to refill my water bottles. And good peace of mind in case something happens on the ride.

For those thinking "its easy for Fitbit to do this" I'll just note that Wahoo added Live Tracking to their bike computer over a year ago. It just displayed a single dot on a map, ok but not very useful. Then in July they rolled out a major upgrade and its really nice now. Its a lot of work to implement, so don't hold your breath if Fitbit hasn't been working on it.

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Lol, easy being a relative term. Definitely a feature they should implement and one they should have the in-house talent to create. 

[datalore]

Garmin and others have had live tracking for a few years, fitbit has no excuse to not implement on the Ionic. 

[bbarrera]

Sure, but "nothing needs to be invented" (= "easy") can take a long time to engineer, test, and deliver in a production environment.

[datalore]

I used the word implement not invent. I’ve developed software and, trust me, I know it’s not easy. I’m actually calling out fitbit on their inability to develop something their competitors have had for years. As I said used “easy” in the broadest sense of that word. I just think fitbit has no excuse not to implement a version of live tracking on a premium/mid-level smartwatch. 

[Tonci]

Would be keen to see this feature on the Fitbit Ionic. Added safety when out on hikes etc!