Dave Cutter

Well I just download the new upgraded iOS 11. It has some new/cool features... but mostly I am posting here about the new Do Not Disturb (in settings).

The phone now automatically detects when a phone is traveling... cycling included. And can be set to automatically disable text messages from friends and family (numbers in your favorites) while your riding your bike. I often am included in group "text discussions" which can be an insane disturbance when cycling... and unsafe when driving.

Now... while riding (or driving) if I get a text the sender gets a message back that reads: I'm driving (or bicycling) with Do Not Disturb While Driving turned on. I'll see your message when I get where I am going.

The message also includes directions that reads: If your text is urgent... enter urgent in the text. So... anyone who needs to can still send a text.

Pretty neat feature.... Long awaited.

Skipjacks

For the record, you've been able to do that with any Android phone for years. Apple stopped innovating a while ago and just copies now.

(And quite frankly I don't recall the last "got to have that" feature that Android came up with either. It's been a while since something new and actually useful was introduced by either OS)

Flip Flop Rider

here we go

jefnvk

Except, if I an sending a text, it is probably urgent (at least in my mind), so I'm going to just start sending them with "urgent".

Probably best you just leave those directions for the loved ones who could conceivably have an urgent message to send you.

highrpm

You could have always turned the phone to vibrate and not texted anything until you were done.

Skipjacks

Yeah...pretty sure all phones since the dawn of text messaging have had this feature!

You have to enable 'self discipline mode' in settings.

It also works to turn the volume/vibration off completely and keep the phone in your pocket. People can text you until the cows come home and you don't even know about it.

mstateglfr 

Yup!
To add on- a phone can just be turned off too.


My dad likes to say that a ringing phone is a request not a requirement.
...pretty sure thats because sometimes he can barely hear the phone ringing at this point!

MidSouthBiker

What did we do B.C. (Before Cellphones)?

John_V 

It's kind of a neat change but the whole purpose of texting is so you can respond to it when you get a chance to read it. If it's that important have them call you. The reason for the Do Not Disturb feature is to put all your calls, except those in your favorites list, into voice mail. I get text messages and phone numbers on my Wahoo Bolt and I can decide then if I want to respond or answer.

northtexasbiker

If I text a buddy and get an immediate response of I'm driving (or bicycling) with Do Not Disturb While Driving turned on. I'll see your message when I get where I am going. I'm going to give that nerd a wedgie the next time I see him.

ibikee

Mine only kicks in once I go past 40mph.

CliffordK

Put the phone in the backpack, and answer when convenient?

Stormsedge

I tell family if it is an emergency---call me on the phone and I will pull over. Texts I let build up. The occasional robocall or unique time share opportunity call would cause me to stop as well, but they are thankfully rare. If I were still on the "job", I wouldn't be able to get six blocks with this system, but works under the current circumstances.

coominya

Wouldn't it rattle off the cradle and fall on the road?

Maelochs

Dude, that is positively un-American.

"Too much of everything is just enough .... "

FlamsteadHill

I think some may be missing the point that for someone who is usually responsive to texts, if they just don't respond for a couple/few hours, the sender may get concerned. This is like an Auto-Reply for email when you're on vacation.

And "turn it off" or "put it in the pack" doesn't work if you're using your phone as a navigational aid and/or to provide metrics.

jefnvk

For the "just turn the sound off" crowd:

I can understand the OP. I only send/receive a handful of texts a day, I can go hours without hearing a notification. I don't think to turn off sound, even at night, because it generally isn't a necessity. Every once in a while I do get added to a group text, and the phone starts blowing up, it is annoying to either listen to it or stop my riding to shut it off.

rachel120

Just because it's on your bike within view doesn't mean you have to check it right then. I use a bluetooth headset when riding so I can listen to music with my right ear. Every time the headset says I have a text or an email I just make a mental note to check it once I arrive at my destination. It can even be set up to read the text or email to me, though my personal situation doesn't make me feel I need that. I am one of the most impulsive, instant gratification driven people out there, and if I can ignore a text or email notification so can everyone else.

Dave Cutter

I agree... to some extent. The Luddite Armies have stifled innovation.

But Apple has helped the Home Automation community with recent upgrades too

Dave Cutter

I am not sure what all my limitations or abilities might be yet. I was so thrilled that the phone knew I was bicycling I wanted to share.

Dave Cutter

I lived a half of a century... before my 1st cell phone. And I honestly don't have a clue as to how I managed B.C..

Dave Cutter

I think this is a feature that is handy for me as a cyclist.

But it could save my life if used by most motorists. Texting motorist are a noticeable hazard I've seen on the roads/streets many times. I am encouraging everyone I know to use it.

genec

BINGO! Self discipline mode. 'Cause not every text IS urgent.

When we have to rely on our phones to make the judgement that we should not be disturbed... well, that is disturbing.

Sy Reene

My texts popup on my garmin while riding. I agree, being able to enable this feature so my garmin stops showing messages during frenzied group chats (that I don't care about at the moment) could be useful.

jon c. 

I often can't even hear the text signal when the phone is in the seat bag. If it's ringing, I generally just ignore it. I don't get enough calls or texts to make it a serious annoyance. If I did, I'd just turn the thing off when riding.