Your predictions for 2021 updates
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So I thought it might be fun to try and do some predictions on what we think we’ll get in the form of software updates on the S7 in 2021 (here’s hoping they continue to push them out just as regularly this year).
So what are your predictions in terms of new software features? Bear in mind, these are supposed to be predictions, not a wish list :).
My predictions for 2021
- Customizable HR zones
- Auto-pause
- Customizable auto-lap (time based for instance)
- Show POI on the map
- Create POI directly on the watch
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@aleksander-h it just occurred to me that some of the most regular posters on this forum are probably also beta testers for the S7, and therefore probably can’t partake
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Sports mode customisation in order to display a couple of stats on Breadcrumb screen (which could also be displayed on the low power ‘empty’ version of the Breadcrumb).
Customize auto-lap (variable distance & time).
Tuned distance for ‘off route’ depending on activity type when navigating.
Ability to copy and created a new Sport Mode from one already created rather than starting from scratch.
New POI types (8 compass directions).
New watch faces (a version of HeatMap with analogue face?).
More customisation of faces…change colour of hands etc.
Suunto First party Compass / Barometer / Altimeter app/apps (potentially with some barometer/altimeter tracking across the day a bit like heart rate).
Ghost Race Pace / Race Goal…set a target pace and +/- delta from target metrics. If I had a display that said I am ‘30 metres behind’, in mid race, its an easier concept to deal with in terms of putting in some effort to catch up, than just memorising a pace and knowing I’m running 5seconds per km slower than I should be.
(could add ‘race distance’ target to this, and have estimated finish time stat).
Note I have noticed there is an option to select a previous activity and ‘Start As Ghost Target’ - although I’ve no idea what this actually does!!Don’t predict this will arrive, but I’d like options for smoothed versions of pace/heart rate etc, maybe averaged over 10 to 30s. (whilst the overall numbers at the end are accurate, I find most metrics a bit erratic if looked at in realtime, I’m running at what feels like constant pace, glance at wrist a couple of times within a short period and see variations of 30 to 45 seconds per km in my pace (sometimes a number faster than I can even sprint, when gently cruising!)).
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@aleksander-h said in Your predictions for 2021 updates:
@aleksander-h it just occurred to me that some of the most regular posters on this forum are probably also beta testers for the S7, and therefore probably can’t partake
.You are absolutely correct on that one. However, the advantage is once released you can ask us about the new firmware as we have seen many versions and done much testing…
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Off topic but how do you join the beta? Is it invite only?
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@suuntoman said in Your predictions for 2021 updates:
Off topic but how do you join the beta? Is it invite only?
I’m guessing invite and a good dose of luck
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@brad_olwin said in Your predictions for 2021 updates:
advantage is once released you can ask us about the new firmware as we have seen many versions and done much testing
That is a very good point!
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@suuntoman the beta for the app, both Android and iPhone, is open, but at least for Android it has a maximum number of users.
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@isazi thanks, how do you join?
Also, if I could wish for one feature it would be to have the watch still record heart rate and sleep activity during the battery saver mode. Sometimes I don’t need the smart watch functions (e.g. sleeping, working, etc.) and it would be nice to have an option to squeeze a few more hours or even a day out of the watch by switching to that mode and still record basic activities
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@suuntoman as I said the changes to batter saver are highly unlikely.
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@brad_olwin I can understand the want for these features, as my old TicWatch Pro (OG) could still record steps and HR (the google fit every 15 mins version) whist in the super low power ‘Essential’ mode.
I can understand dropping the HR, as that is most battery intensive, but it would be great if it could still track steps during the battery saver mode
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My predictions (or should I call them a wish list??) are mostly similar to those already mentioned, but I would like to add:
External sensor support - for me this is an absolute must!
Auto pause during activity - I’m still shocked this isn’t there and I assume it would be an easy thing to add in
And one last one that has been bugging me for a while…
Allow the screen to go even dimmer!
I find that at night, even with display set to auto brightness, when my screen activates (I have screen always off and use power saver tilt to show the ambient display when I lift my wrist) it is still very bright and distracting. It could easily be 50% less bright and still be very readable in the dark.
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@olymay said in Your predictions for 2021 updates:
Auto pause during activity - I’m still shocked this isn’t there and I assume it would be an easy thing to add in
Might be a bit more complicated than we think. When standing still a gps watch will often hop about a bit. Might not be so easy to tell when the user is moving and not. Of course, it might be I’m just overthinking it.
@olymay said in Your predictions for 2021 updates:
External sensor support - for me this is an absolute must!
Personally I don’t think we’ll se this until there comes a Qualcomm chip capable of doing BLE on the low power core. So maybe a gen 2 or gen 3 watch?
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@aleksander-h said in Your predictions for 2021 updates:
@olymay said in Your predictions for 2021 updates:
Auto pause during activity - I’m still shocked this isn’t there and I assume it would be an easy thing to add in
Might be a bit more complicated than we think. When standing still a gps watch will often hop about a bit. Might not be so easy to tell when the user is moving and not. Of course, it might be I’m just overthinking it.
Other devices can do it, as can other apps on the S7 (Strava for example). If an activity is using ‘best’ GPS then it should be easy to implement, although I appreciate it might be more tricky for the ‘good’ GPS mode.
(Personally I don’t use it, as some of my runs take me through underpasses where I lose GPS and this often causes apps to pause the activity, but I know many people want it).@olymay said in Your predictions for 2021 updates:
External sensor support - for me this is an absolute must!
Personally I don’t think we’ll se this until there comes a Qualcomm chip capable of doing BLE on the low power core. So maybe a gen 2 or gen 3 watch?
We can do it with other apps on the watch (Ghost Racer, SportyGo, Strava, etc) but I want it with the Suunto App.
I know it will affect the battery, but as the user it would be nice to have the choice. I really want to be able to use a chest HR monitor, so that I can either mount the S7 on handlebars of a bike, or put it on the outside of my sleeve when the weather is particularly grotty.
I would also love to be able to use it with a Stryd sensor. -
@olymay said in Your predictions for 2021 updates:
We can do it with other apps on the watch (Ghost Racer, SportyGo, Strava, etc) but I want it with the Suunto App.
I know it will affect the battery, but as the user it would be nice to have the choice. I really want to be able to use a chest HR monitor, so that I can either mount the S7 on handlebars of a bike, or put it on the outside of my sleeve when the weather is particularly grotty.Oh I agree it is possible, and would be nice. But I think Suunto might not want to explain that battery discrepancy to regular users who might be wondering why the battery gets cut drastically by using a chest HR, which in their mind probably means better battery because we’re offloading the OHRM.
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@aleksander-h I’m sure a little screen prompt/warning during the connection process would suffice? Something like:
‘Caution, using an external sensor will have a detrimental impact on battery life, tap OK to continue’
or similar?
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@olymay said in Your predictions for 2021 updates:
pause during activity
I think it could start been implemented for cycling and running activities … I can understand that it could be a big deal for other sports… but they could start for the most common sports … they should fix a minimum speed and pause it.
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I read from S7 FB group that apparently Suunto is working on the sensor support. This came from Youtube video from Romain Berger (Amer Sports sales area manager) who apparently stated that it is in Suunto’s plans for future updates.
PS don’t shoot the messenger! -
@jantikainen oh really? Do you have a link? To the youtube video that is. I don’t use Facebook.