The Week in Review is a collection of both all the goodness I’ve written during the past week around the internet, as well as a small pile of links I found interesting – generally endurance sports related. I’ve often wondered what to do with all of the coolness that people write, and while I share a lot of it on Twitter and Facebook, this is a better forum for sending it on to y’all. Most times these different streams don’t overlap, so be on the lookout at all these places for good stuff!
So with that, let’s get into the action!
DCRainmaker.com posts in the past week:
Here’s all the goodness that ended up on the main page of DCRainmaker.com this past week.
Sunday: Week in Review–August 7th, 2016
Monday: 5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
Wednesday: GoPro’s New Cycling Handlebar & Seat Rail Mounts: In-Depth Review
Thursday: TrainingPeaks adds Strava Segment Integration
Friday: A DCR August Wahoo KICKR Giveaway!
YouTube videos of note:
Woah! I’ve been rockin’ the Tube. YouTube that is (not the London Tube). So lots of stuff here to share! I’ve got a pile of interesting YouTube ideas for the next few weeks. I’m trying to find the balance for videos like these that don’t take me at max more than 45-60mins to produce (including shooting/editing/etc…). Once I get beyond that, my video skills just take me too long.
In any case – enjoy! Oh, and you can subscribe on YouTube here, so you get notifications instantly when I publish new stuff.
Stuff that I found interesting around the interwebs:
Here’s a not-so-small smattering of all the random things that I stumbled on while doing my civic duty to find the end of the Internet:
1) Screening 20,000 Olympic photos per day: This is this man’s job. It’s mind-boggling.
2) Riding the barrier in the velodrome in Rio: This will likely be the most impressive cycling thing you’ll see at this Olympics – so definitely take note of Laurine van Riessen’s astounding bike skills. Amazing pic here too. (via Matt)
3) Mountain biking trail turned into photo gallery: Perhaps it’s just me, but when I’m mountain biking – I’m generally more concerned about not hitting a tree than pondering the nuances of art. But I’m sure I’m doing it wrong. Obviously I need to become more cultured.
4) GoPro’s Omni Rig starts shipping on Wednesday: Only requires 6 GoPro Hero4 Black cameras for 360° footage. Well, I’m 1/3rd of the way there. Better than 1/6th the way there, right? Maybe they’ll loan me one, so I can show whether it’s appreciably better than solutions that cost a fraction of it. Would be interesting to do side by side. Of course, the real magic of this system would be the software side of it (though, it has some hardware portions that make it easier than DIY solutions).
5) Why someone thinks Intel should buy Jawbone for their fitness app: This piece fundamentally misunderstands why people like Basis as hardware and the platform, and continues the confusing tech-media love-fest for Jawbone’s fitness app….which isn’t really all that different/better than that of other activity trackers these days.
6) This is why there are so many ties in swimming: It’s rare that you find a half-way decent Deadspin article on sports, but this is really interesting and well done. (via Bruce Lane)
7) A Triathlete’s Guide to Rio: Here’s how it’ll all work in a few days for the triathlon event.
8) Paddle share, like bike-share but with kayaks: Though beware, it’s not cheap! Still, gotta start somewhere. I wish I could paddle in Paris proper. 🙁 Had to leave my kayaks behind in DC when I moved over.
9) The Wrong Track – Understanding the Canadian Olympic system: Pretty interesting read, especially on how Canada essentially gives up Olympic slots if they don’t think they’ll medal. (via Steve Fleck)
Sports Technology Software/Firmware Updates This Week:
Each week I quickly highlight some of the new firmware, app, software and website service updates that I see go out. If you’re a sports technology company and release an update – shoot me a quick note (just one liners are perfect, or Tweet it at me is even better) and I’ll make mention of it here. If I don’t know about it, I won’t be able to post about it. Sound good? Oh – and if you want to get a head start on things, this page is a great resource for watching Garmin firmware updates.
Garmin Vivoactive HR firmware update: Floor related bug fix.
Garmin Vivoactive firmware update: It can now control Spotify, among other things.
Garmin Vivosmart HR: Crapton of updates, including adding MoveIQ. But seriously, just go look at the huge list.
Garmin Fenix3 HR/Fenix3/Tactix Bravo/Quatix 3: Also a crapton of updates, numerous fixes. Also just go look at the list.
Garmin FR735XT firmware update: Adds muscle oxygen support, Strava Live segment support, and ability to broadcast HR during an activity (woot!). More on both the SMO2 & Strava things later in the week.
Garmin FR920XT firmware update: Updated Connect IQ app support, other bug fixes.
Garmin Edge 1000 & Edge 520 firmware update: Updated Connect IQ app support, other tweaks.
Garmin Edge 820 firmware update: Same as Edge 1000/520, but with additional bug fixes.
Garmin VIRB X & XE firmware update: Minor tweaks.
Suunto Spartan Ultra firmware update: This got an update this week, but I’m not quite sure what’s in it, and it’s not yet listed on the updates page. I assume just bug fixes.
Sport Tracks enables Wahoo ELEMNT auto sync: Wootage!
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Thanks for reading all!
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Honestly, I’m not a big fan of youtube video. I’m showing my age, but I much prefer text stories mainly because I can read them at my own pace and read them during downtimes at work.
I find many you tube videos to be not organized very well and people tend to just ad lib the content instead of actually writing down what they want to say which leads to no structure to the videos. (not saying this is you BTW)
I get that is the way the world is moving and I know all the “kids” probably gravitate towards video.
But I just do not like it.
Fear not, there’s still boatloads of written content.
But there are also cases where video paints a clearer story. For example, how swiping works on the Suunto Spartan Ultra and exactly how much lag there is. It’s hard to put that into written words, versus just showing someone. Or how quickly instant pace responds on the Garmin FR735XT in different scenarios.
In most cases I’m using YouTube to supplement to tell a different side of the story. It’s also easier for me to dive into all sorts of nuances in video that writing (which does admittedly make my videos longer) – such as a complete tour of the Suunto Spartan menu system. It’s not for everyone though, and that’s fine.
I’m actually moderately surprised at how few YouTube viewers know I have a full in-depth review that accompanies the post. So I think there’s far less cross-over between the two than one might think.
Don’t get me wrong. Video is absolutely necessary to compliment things. And there are things video does that text/pics can’t do.
I watch about 1/3 of your vids that go with your posts.
But I am showing my age, as I said and I see it more and more instead of text stories. (Again not directed at you)
I do have a minor complaint. When I watch some if your vids the sound isn’t that good. Is it just me?
I quite like the YouTube stuff as you can actually see something like how you would use it properly and you can often do something else (like doing a turbo trainer ride) while watching.
I like the addition of the video, but the device screens are really hard to read.
The Garmin FR630 also got the Connect IQ app update this week, bringing the firmware to v5.20 afair.
And I believe this firmware fixed a bug where no GPS track was recorded even though it was clearly getting GPS because the elevation was fairly accurate.
Wow – Strava live segment on 735. I’ve been really keen on Strava segments on a running device, so great to see it land finally.
Looking forward to reading more about it before I press the button on buying one…
Are you sure about the FR735XT and strava live segments? It’s not mentioned in the feature list on the Garmin link?
I’ve been waiting so long for that integration, would be killer feature for a watch.
Yup, it’s there. But…and here’s the trick…the GC and Strava aspects lighting that up haven’t been lit up yet. So, unless you load Segments manually, it won’t do much.
there was something about this on the garmin forum but garmin removed these posts. you can still find some information on strava but considering garmin doesn’t want this information out there yet i probably should paste the link here
What do you think the odds are of Live segments coming to the 920xt?
I was a little hasty in my Garmin forums post on this. Expect some instructions on how to do it properly very soon.
I suspect the odds are low, but then again, sometimes random things happen.
Found this on Strava blog but did not figure out how it should/will work…
link to support.strava.com
I agree this would be a killer feature if nicely implemented. Me excited!
Strava Segments working now on 735 as of today. Just sync’d mine.
Thanks, Joe!
Can’t wait to try it out.
How good is it?
Works very well. link to strava.com is a short test run I did showing the various screens you get.
Wow, that’s impressive. I’m gettingmore and more satisfied with my little plastic watch!
Is it a new feature that my Edge 1000 updated itself while connected to my phone via Bluetooth? I remember it usually told me in the Connect App, that an update was available which it installed the next time I connected it to my computer.
The Forerunner 230 and 235 also received updates to their firmware (to 5.20) and their Display A1 firmware. The 5.20 update seems to have messed up instantaneous pace – it’s a bit all over the place.
Also, a sweet part of that 5.20 update is that music controls are now able to control any media playing app now. Finally, I can control Spotify on my 235!
This sounds really cool, would love to control music through the watch so I don’t have to pull my phone out. Any idea on how to get it to work? Is there an app I have to download for the watch?
Yes – the Garmin mobile app. Pair your iPhone and watch through the app and then the music controls on the watch should work to control whatever music app you are using on the phone.
Yup, the 5.20 firmware on the 230/235/630 totally broke the current pace metric. I ended up having to rollback to 5.07 beta. Garmin is apparently investigating the issue. I can’t wait for them to have just one solid firmware release without breaking something important.
About that vivoactive (non HR version) update:
My music player widget no longer works since the update.
Says “waiting for data” now.
First time its ever malfunctioned.
Anyone else?
Vivoactive quickly kicked out another firmware update, 4.20, to fix the music control issue.
Nice to see Garmin more responsive to customer issues.
site layout on ipad … cant enlarge videos as the right column overlays the main column.
see screenshot
How do you find Edge 820 firmware release notes? What I mean is:
– I followed the link in this article and found the web page describing version 3.00
– But I’ve never been able to find those pages starting from the Garmin site itself.
E.g. try search for “Edge 820 update download”, or try navigating from the 820 product page.
Hoping more devices will support muscle oxygen recording. Maybe the 920xt with how many Moxy and BSX users have one. Seems like it doesn’t require much change to the firmware as it just displays and records from an ant+ device.
Custom ConnectIQ apps can record, but won’t record into the FIT file at the standard location, just a custom one so harder for 3rd parties to use the data
Do you think the muscle oxygen support will come to the Fenix 3 series? Also, what about live segments?
I see Cyclops has started ads for their new Hammer trainer