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Bosch SmartphoneHub – a special type of smartphone holder
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About the Bosch SmartphoneHub in a nutshell:
- The Bosch SmartphoneHub is mounted on the handlebar of the e-bike and has a holder for your smartphone. In conjunction with the COBI.Bike app and your smartphone, the hub becomes the control centre for your bike. Without a smartphone, you can read important data on the LCD display of the smartphone hub.
- Functions of the SmartphoneHub + Cobi.Bike app: charging function directly at the hub with USB or via the iPhone holder Mount Case, navigation, fitness tracking, setting of riding modes, Help Connect incl. fall detection, display with data on support and battery charge level.
- Alternative to SmartphoneHub, smartphone and Cobi.Bike app: Bosch eBike Connect (for Bosch bikes with Nyon or Kiox), the COBI.Bike system or Smartphone Grip in combination with the Bosch eBike Flow app.
- The PowUnity app offers you a cross-system solution. Together with the BikeTrax GPS tracker, it offers you reliable e-bike theft protection via real-time tracking throughout Europe.
One of the first things you might notice is that if you want to equip your e-bike with the Bosch SmartphoneHub, you have to “dig deeper” into your pocket than for a conventional holder. But the “inconspicuous” device can do a lot more. As an interface between your smartphone and your e-bike, it allows you to use your smartphone as a display and to use a variety of functions via your smartphone – from navigation and fitness tracking to controlling riding modes. Apart from the smartphone, hub and e-bike, all you need is the COBI.Bike app. But how exactly does the Bosch SmartphoneHub work and what are its advantages and disadvantages? We will take a closer look at this below.
Are you interested in an overview of current e-bike apps from motor manufacturers? Then have a look at our overview article “How to find the best e-bike app for your needs”.
The Bosch SmartphoneHub at a glance
The Bosch SmartphoneHub is mounted on the handlebar of the e-bike and has a holder for your smartphone. Actually, you can choose between two different holders.
In combination with the COBI.Bike app and your smartphone, the hub becomes a fully networked control centre for your (smart) e-bike. It allows you to access the Bosch eBike Connect portal and all online services of the company as well as navigate, track the most important training data and much more.
In case you don’t have your smartphone with you, the SmartphoneHub has its own LCD display on which you can read the most important riding data. In this way, it also works alone as a bike computer.
Functions of the SmartphoneHub and the COBI.Bike app
Two different holders for your smartphone
As we already mentioned, you can choose between two holders to have your smartphone connected to the hub and e-bike:
- The Mount Case is ideal for attaching the iPhone X as well as 6, 7 or 8 in standard and plus versions. You also have the option to get a cover for weather protection.
- The Universal Mount fits all iPhones and Android phones that are a maximum of 78 mm wide (with cover).
Separate control unit
The separate control unit enables you to operate the SmartphoneHub conveniently on either the left or right side of the handlebar.
Charging function
A very practical feature of the SmartphoneHub is the possibility to charge your smartphone directly at the hub, either with a USB cable or via the iPhone holder. This means that there is no need to carry a power bank around.
Navigation
When navigating with the COBI.Bike app and SmartphoneHub, you have the choice between a 2D and 3D map view. A voice output is also on board. If you want to use this function while keeping your eyes on the road, don’t forget your headphones. Otherwise, the navigation instructions might get lost in the surrounding noise.
Fitness and health services
The SmartphoneHub also collects real-time fitness data and the most important training data for you. Via the COBI.Bike app, you can connect it to the digital world of health services such as Apple Health or Google Fit as well as apps such as Komoot and Strava. Bluetooth is also available for the use of heart rate monitors.
Setting the riding modes
Of course, the Bosch SmartphoneHub is also suitable for controlling the riding modes of your Bosch drive.
For emergencies: Help Connect
In the event of an e-bike accident, quick help is often crucial. The Help Connect function is designed to ensure that help arrives on site as soon as possible. For this purpose, the COBI.Bike app has an automatic fall detection function. According to Bosch, this function not only recognises whether a biker has fallen, but also how badly. If the worst comes to the worst, the app sends an emergency call including location information to Bosch service personnel. This ensures that the rescue starts immediately. In addition, the app sends out a “fall alarm” to alert first responders to what is happening. Alternatively, you can contact the emergency team manually, for example if you witness an accident.
Own integrated display
Have you forgotten your smartphone or is it broken? You don’t feel like driving around with your smartphone on the handlebars? No problem! Thanks to its display, the SmartphoneHub also works without a smartphone or app. The small, but fine display informs you up to date about the most important riding data such as support level and battery charge status.
Other services and functions
Other functions, some of which are still quite new, are the following:
- CO2 tracker: Do you want to know how much CO2, money and fuel you save with your pedelec compared to your car? The COBI.Bike app will tell you.
- Live weather forecast: The precise weather data ensure that you know when it’s time to find shelter.
- Audio control for entertainment: If you’re bored of just riding, the COBI.Bike app provides you with access to your favourite streaming libraries and audio book streaming services. Music is then controlled via the hub or the smartphone app.
How well do the SmartphoneHub and COBI.Bike app perform in practice?
Both the SmartphoneHub and the COBI.Bike app were introduced a few years ago. Since then, Bosch has come to grips with various teething problems, at least according to reviews of the app. Other problems, however, have remained. For example, navigation in 2D or 3D map view sometimes seems unnecessarily complicated. E-bikers should also plan enough time for the regular updates.
Most users are pleased with the SmartphoneHub itself, except for the still rather high price.
Important note: Do you have an e-bike with a Bosch drive and want to retrofit the SmartphoneHub? In such cases, you can get retrofit kits with short delivery times. These are compatible with the following Bosch drives:
- Bosch Active Line
- Bosch Active Line Plus
- Bosch Performance Line
- Bosch Performance Line Speed
- Bosch Performance Line CX
- Bosch Cargo Line
The SmartphoneHub Compact control unit is also available separately.
Advantages and disadvantages of the SmartphoneHub from Bosch
Should you equip your e-bike with the SmartphoneHub or not? As always, there are some pros and cons.
Vor- und Nachteile des Bosch SmartphoneHubs
⊕
- simple installation and operation
- compatible with almost every smartphone
- integrated display for use without smartphone
- sits firmly on the handlebar
- connected with thumb controller
- possibility to charge your smartphone
⊖
- high price
- only for Bosch systems
Alternatives to the SmartphoneHub
If you are looking for an alternative to the combination of SmartphoneHub, Cobi.Bike app and smartphone, you can use the Bosch eBike Connect app. This option is particularly suitable if your bike has a Bosch drive with the Nyon or Kiox on-board computer. In this case, the app is even completely free. However, in contrast to the SmartphoneHub, the range of functions is limited and the performance in practice is inconsistent. There is also the COBI.Bike System, which is available in three variants, COBI.Bike Sport, COBI.Bike and COBI.Bike Plus, or the Smartphone Grip, which is intended for combination with the eBike Flow app.
Either way, the following applies: For e-bikes with Bosch drive, you are dependent on Bosch apps.
You can find out more about the Bosch eBike Connect app and its strengths and weaknesses in our article “Bosch eBike Connect – the app at a glance”.
Excursion: SmartphoneHub vs. SmartphoneGrip
New e-bikes with Bosch Smart System drive are no longer compatible with the SmartphoneHub. Instead, you can use the Bosch SmartphoneGrip.
This is a smartphone holder that, at around 50 euros, is significantly cheaper to buy than the SmartphoneHub. However, it has a charging function but no integrated display. The SmartphoneGrip can be used either with your smartphone or the Kiox 300 display. The eBike Flow app serves as the app.
So far, users are very enthusiastic about the Bosch SmartphoneGrip. However, the reactions to the eBike Flow app are mediocre. It does not always work without errors and the range of functions could be greater.
PowUnity App – cross-engine app with reliable real-time tracking
Are you looking for a reliable app for smooth route tracking via smartphone, preferably with theft protection? The PowUnity app can be used across different engine systems, regardless of whether your drive comes from Bosch or another manufacturer. Together with the BikeTrax GPS tracker, it ensures seamless real-time tracking throughout Europe.
If someone moves your e-bike without permission, you will be notified immediately. In addition, you can track a stolen e-bike in real time and transmit the live location to the police in the app – optimal conditions for getting a stolen e-bike back. The app automatically records all your routes and also includes a bike passport and a route diary. You get it free of charge with your GPS tracker. The GPS data flat rate for the first year is also free.
Sounds good? That’s not all!
In 2023, the PowUnity app will be expanded. You will be able to use your smartphone as a display, view speed and performance data as well as plan maintenance. In short: your smartphone will become a comprehensive control unit for your e-bike. And to e-bike manufacturers, we offer a white label solution of our PowUnity app.
Conclusion on the Bosch SmartphoneHub for e-bikes
The Bosch SmartphoneHub is an interesting solution for all e-bike riders who want to use their smartphone as a bike computer. Once installed, you can navigate thanks to the smartphone and Cobi.Bike app, call up real-time fitness data while exercising or listen to your favourite music and audio book streaming services. For the most part, all of this works well in practice, although some features do not yet seem fully developed. We also find it really useful that you can use the hub without a smartphone thanks to its own display.
As a retrofit kit, however, the Bosch product is not a small investment. Moreover, it only works with the manufacturer’s drives and the range of functions is limited. Theft protection, for example, is missing, not to mention real-time tracking, as offered by the PowUnity app and the BikeTrax GPS tracker.
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