Friday, January 20, 2006

PRODUCTS: Garmin Announces MacOS X Compatibility

While I am sure that many of you are at least a little puzzled by the strange intrusion of geek-talk into this sphere of athletic endeavor, hang in there and read this:
Beginning in spring 2006, Garmin will offer a Mac version of its popular Training Center software. Used with Garmin’s line of Forerunner and Edge series of fitness products, the Training Center software lets users plan and analyze workouts. Fitness enthusiasts can create their own workouts or use workout templates that can be downloaded into the unit for any level of personal training. The software also offers interactive analysis tools that will now allow Mac users to chart their performance information like speed, heart rate, cadence, elevation, and pace.

Also in spring 2006, Garmin will make the www.MotionBased.com upload interface Mac compatible. MotionBased.com translates GPS data into performance analysis, online mapping, and route sharing for endurance and outdoor athletes. Data collected by a Garmin GPS device is uploaded to MotionBased.com where time, distance, speed, elevation, cadence, grade, and heart rate analysis is displayed through charts, illustrations, and reports. This activity data can also be displayed as a route and replayed on street, photo, topographic, and elevation maps as well as the popular Google Earth service.
This is great news for bikers not using Windows. I know I have been salivating about getting a new Edge 305 and using MotionBased for my training.

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I bought the Edge 305 based on Garmin's committment to the Mac. But I thought that I could at least use the the training software and motionbase under VirtualPC. Sadly the unit is not recognized even when all the software is properly installed in VPC. Anyone make that deep foray into getting this to work on the Mac? Even under emulation.

- Steve

/k said...

MotionBased has released a beta client for MacOS:

http://wiki.motionbased.com/mb/Mac

Not sure when the Training Center port is supposed to debut.