Map Feature & Navigation Instructions eg Google maps

[Jakob_Freitag]

It would be great if it would be possible to get navigation instructions on the smartwatch. Maybe as a notification from the Google Maps App.

[DrRobin]

Hi,

I am an independant developer, have written a nav app (paid for) and a watch face (free).  I don't know if the Fitbit team has access to more routines than I do, but for me there is no easy way (not possible) to manage a messaging system between say Google Maps on the phone and the Ionic/Versa.  That kills this app on day 1.

The second issue is that you only get 64k of program and memory space for each app, this is a bit limiting, my nav app has had to be re-written several times just to fit in the space everytime I wanted to add something.

The third issue is that apps don't really run in the background, you would need the nav app open, or you would need to do it with a clock face.  Even clock faces go to sleep, so you need some mechanism to wake the app/watch face to give you the directions.  Unless of course you are happy to have the 'Google maps directions' app open all of the time?

Finally, if the 100 people who have commented on here, bought the app at say $1.99, that's a massive $199, actually it is less due to billing and handling costs.  The app and clock face I wrote, I wrote for myself, I wanted these, they weren't commercially viable, and put them up to see if anyone else finds them useful.  Apart from that you now have to pay Google for an API key to get the directions, on-going cost for someone.  Are all the 100 people prepared to pay for this feature or do you want it for free?

So for me, as an independant developer, I can see lots of technical challenges (even if it is possible) and then the returns wouldn't be worth it.  Does this feature fall in to the category of one I want?  Er no, I wouldn't use it often enough.  Sorry guys, but don't expect an app from me.

[DanLatimer]

I'm a developer too. Like Dr Robin said, basically what you want isn't
possible with the versa with how it's OS works right now. You could try
things to hack around the OS but it wouldn't work well. I stopped using my
versa after it got a huge scratch it in and I realized it doesn't do much
for me anyway.

[Den_in_USA]

What I don't understand is why doesn't one of the more talented developers give us a Nav Me app and charge each of us $20. 

[DanLatimer]

The "apps" that run on the versa are extremely limited in what they can do.
Analogy: why can't a talented cop get me out of my life sentence for
murder. There are limitations put in place by the system which making an ap
like that to work properly almost impossible

[Den_in_USA]

I really got spoiled wearing a Pebble for five years of my life. Unfortunately, alot of us that are new to Versa can't even get the Uber app to work. I guess alot of us Pebblers hoped that the former Pebble personnel that went to Fitbit would have an influence on their upcoming smart watches. I totally understand if it's a design limitation to make a Fitbit Nav Me.

[SunsetRunner]

@DrRobin Thanks for the detailed post. Could expand more on the point "there is no easy way (not possible) to manage a messaging system between say Google Maps on the phone and the Ionic/Versa" please?

Versa is able to receive notifications from third party phone app's, such as (in my usage) WhatsApp, Yahoo, Slack, without any companion watch app. The watch notifications are duplicated so-to-speak from the phone notifications. 

When I use Google maps notifications on my Android phone, the directions are also pushed as notifications (eg. turn right in 100m). Where I'm confused in this whole topic is why these Google maps notifications are treated differently. Is this a Google policy restriction rather than a Fitbit OS restriction?

And when you guys talk about the limited program and memory space in Versa, is Versa 2 also limited by the same specifics?

[DrRobin]

@bennymede

A fitbit watch app could go direct to Google Maps, just using the phone as an Internet gateway, but how do you then get the route or destination in?  Perhaps you know of a way and you could write the app?

What everyone wants is an app on the phone to set up the route and then send the turn notifications to the Fitbit, this requires a comms channel between the app on the phone and the Fitbit and it is this part which is missing.

i haven’t tried compiling for Versa 2, but suspect that the same 64k limit will also be a barrier.  It is there as the code development is in Java script and this is a little limited.

[SunsetRunner]

I've found a work around for now and it's basically to not use Google maps! This decision was based on the knowledge from the independent developers above and I imagine Google are not gonna make it easy for a competitor OS.

* Play Store Install 'OsmAnd — Offline Travel Maps & Navigation'

* Fitbit App > notifications > enable 'OsmAnd' app

* Open 'OsmAnd' > search your destination > Click Start

* My Versa 2 instantly received notification directions from 'OsmAnd'

I also tested 'maps.me' from the Play Store. The phone app is nice to use, but I did not receive notifications on my Fitbit. Which I was surprised about because maps.me also uses OpenLayers as does OsmAnd as its maps source.

And I briefly tested 'bikemap' from the Play Store (paid app after trial period). Although I received notifications on my Fitbit that I had started a 'Recording session', I did not receive the first direction notification. But in fairness I wasn't on my bike and didn't leave home to test it properly!

If anyone has other alternative map applications suggestions, I been keen to hear them.

[Den_in_USA]

@bennymede

I installed OsmAnd and it is totally working the way that I wanted! I only use the map to get me back to my house when it's late at night and I am 30 miles away in an unfamiliar area. I didn't realize that Google Maps was my limitation. At first, I didn't see my city in the downloadable maps, but, when I chose the Los Angeles map, I noticed that it covers other cities within 60 or more miles. 

[Puzzlegut]

What did you replace it with? I want something that is more functional too!
😂

[Den_in_USA]

@Puzzlegut, Instead of Google Maps, I use OsmAnd.

[Den_in_USA]

What I liked better about the Pebble Nav Me app was that there was a big arrow displayed on the watch that clearly indicated that you need to turn either right or left.

[Scorpyyy]

Just bought the Versa 2 and tested the Komoot App. I used the paid version and turn by turn navigation is working well :-). 

[chnacat]

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Scorpyyy

 

First Steps

Just bought the Versa 2 and tested the Komoot App. I used the paid version and turn by turn navigation is working well :-).

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can you please elaborate?  tested the komoot app on your mobile device?    what steps did you take to get turn by turn working on your fitbit?

thank you.

[chnacat]

Just bought the Versa 2 and tested the Komoot App. I used the paid version and turn by turn navigation is working well :-).

[SunsetRunner]

Nice one @Scorpyyy I'm also able to receive Komoot notifications on my Versa 2 (with free app version).

One issue I can see already is that the notifications text is being truncated, rather than wrapped text onto the next line.

As you are a paying Komoot customer, can you raise a ticket with them to wrap notifications text for small screens? It's worth a try. 😀

To achieve this I did the following:

* Fitbit App > notifications > enable 'Komoot' app

* Android Notification Settings > Komoot > select Navigation Notifications > set 'Importance = Urgent' 

(I did this for both the Navigation Notifications)

* Phone > open Komoot app > Notification instructions (I only found this setting after starting a route plan, then select the Bell icon on bottom of screen) > change it from Voice to Notifications

I'm not 100% sure if I really needed to enable all of these settings, but it doesn't hurt!

[SunsetRunner]

In other news I also tested 'HERE WeGo – City Navigation'  Android app because they have built a native app for Samsung galaxy watch active series, but my Versa 2 does not receive any notifications from Here WeGo.

So I then contacted them and asked if they had any plans to build a native at for Fitbit, their response:

"Thank you for your request and your suggestion for our product, which I have forwarded to the appropriate team inside our organization. Please understand that we cannot make commitments in regard to future features of our products."

[chnacat]

@SunsetRunner does komoot work in cities? or just terrain?  i'm looking for map functionality in the city of London specifically

thanks!

[SunsetRunner]

@chnacat I live in London too. Yip Komoot covers cities. You get to choose one free location after signing into the application, so you can get greater London for free. As I mentioned above the truncated notifications text is a bit annoying.

[chnacat]

@SunsetRunner 

thank you so much!!!  super helpful!

[SunsetRunner]

https://blog.google/products/hardware/agreement-with-fitbit?utm_source=tw&utm_medium=social&utm_camp...

Maybe now someone will build a native navigation app for Fitbit!! 😃

[thomasgroenhart]

The only app that I'm missing for the Versa 2 (or any other Fitbit smartwatch for that matter) is turn-by-turn navigation with Google Maps. The watch could just piggyback off of the GPS on your phone and give you all the Google Maps functionalities.

It would be great if you could, next to typing in the location, also set it by speaking it into the phone and if the turn-by-turn navigation could be read out loud by the Google Assistant. Of course you should be able to turn the voice off, set the watch to only vibrate when a turn is coming up or just set it to silent.

Anyone else missing this app on their Fitbit smartwatch?

And does anyone know if this is in works now that Google acquired Fitbit?

[thomasgroenhart]

Edit: Versa doesn't have a speaker, so having it read the turn-by-turn navigation out loud wouldn't be an option.

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @thomasgroenhart. Great suggestion, thanks for explaining why you'd like to have a navigation app with Google Maps with us! This feature suggestion already exists, so I’ve moved your post here. Don’t forget to post a comment and click on the thumbs-up to show your support.

[Micure]

I too would like this. A simple map up showing your route as you walk. 

As a safety issue phones in hands are an easy target.  If you could see the immediate snapshot and directions on your wrist this would be a good safety selling point. 

[LizFitbit]

Hi everyone, thanks for this suggestion. We've changed this back to 'Reviewed' status as you've told us the below workarounds aren't the complete solution that you want. I'll post any further updates here but please note:

• There is currently a way to get navigation instructions with vibration alerts on the Ionic and Versa. Under 'notification settings' in the Fitbit App, enable 'background navigation instructions' and make sure Fitbit notifications are enabled too. When you launch Google maps from your phone (be sure that your phone screen is turned to off/sleeping for this to happen), you should start getting text push notifications on your watch.
• If you want to see a map and your live location, there are third party apps for this (search 'maps' in the Fitbit app gallery).
• If you want to Download maps to watch please vote on this existing feature suggestion.

I’m happy to let you know that this suggestion has been picked up internally at Fitbit and is being considered by our team. This suggestion will either remain ‘Under Consideration’ until released, or else move to ‘Not Currently Planned’ if it’s not viable right now. Further updates will be posted here.

Please remember that if a suggestion is chosen for development, it can take some time before updates are available or a release is finalized, so thanks in advance for your patience. To learn more about how Fitbit decides which suggestions get developed, visit our FAQs. Fans can continue to vote for this feature suggestion while it is under consideration.