Coming off the heels of Interbike, cycling trainer app Kinomap is rolling out a host of features, including a number that are pretty new and unique to the trainer app space. For those unfamiliar with Kinomap, it’s historically been an iOS/Android app that allowed you to ride outdoor recorded rides, indoors on your trainer. They have a massive library of outdoor routes from all sorts of famous places.
These new updates are across a broad range of different features/functions. And while other companies are adding in semi-incremental updates that match each other, there’s no doubt that none of Kinomap’s new features today are done by anyone else. They’re totally off dancing to their own drum…and in this case, that drumbeat is pretty darn interesting.
If you read nothing else from this post, check out the links at the bottom of the ‘VeloViewer/Strava’ section. Especially the last one. Crazy cool.
Revenue Sharing:
First up is something totally different, which is the ability for you to record your own videos on rides, upload them, and then actually receive revenue from them. The company has long allowed you to upload your own videos by combining action cam footage with GPS data. In other words, you recorded your action cam footage at the same time as your ride file, and then uploaded the two together. Their web uploader allowed you to quickly merge and sync it – saving the ride for all eternity. They’ve been doing that for years, and even have supported GPS-based cameras like the Sony and Garmin units for making that process totally seamless and dead-simple.
What this new announcement does is get you credit for videos that you upload (assuming people ride them). In a sense, it’s like how Spotify works behind the scenes for artists. The more people that ride your video (both in time and quantity), the more credit you get back. You’ll get back something called Kinos, which sound a bit like a slot machine currency. But in reality, it’s just a way to easily deal with monetary credits across numerous currencies.
The more minutes someone spends riding your video, the more you get back. The credit is based on how much of that person’s total time they spent riding videos that month. In other words, if a person spent 10 hours riding Kinomap in total in October, and 1 hour of that is riding your video – then you’d get 1/10th their revenue contribution. However, that’s then split with Kinomap, so it’s a portion of that.
Thus basically, your hope is to find someone that just rides your videos.
While the concept might need a bit of polish – it’s a pretty cool idea to generate interest in the platform, even for just casual uploaders. If you’ve got a GPS device and an action cam, you could start recording chunks of rides that you think are interesting. Further, because of the next piece with Strava integration, it makes it even more interesting to broaden the base of places they have video data on – even if it might not be super-scenic.
Strava integration via VeloViewer:
Many of you know VeloViewer, which is the app that does a bunch of detailed Strava analytics – diving into your Strava data and producing crazy reports on how awesome you are…or, how painful that upcoming Strava segment will be. Pro teams like Team Sky and others actually use it for scouting out all their stages during races. That’s in part because behind the scenes VeloViewer does a bunch of data validation of things like elevation data.
What’s new here is the ability to actually see Kinomap videos for various Strava segments (even if you don’t have Kinomap). This means you would scout out Strava segments in VeloViewer as you might already do, but now there will be a new Kinomap tab that allows you to see video snippets from that exact Strava Segment.
But not only can look at those segments’ videos, but you can ride them on your trainer using Kinomap. Your results then show up within the Virtual Trainer category on Strava, similar to how it works with Zwift.
Meanwhile, back on VeloViewer, you can even add filters to find segments you’ve ridden already for which there are Kinomap videos already:
They’re even going a step further with creating video playlists, so you can basically re-ride a bunch of Strava segments on your trainer based on a collection – all with videos. They’ll also curate playlists based on your past Segments, in a sense a recommended list like Netflix.
Finally, not only is this new Strava integration shown on VeloViewer, but you’ll now get Strava Segment notifications directly in Kinomap (the app). This will show you the Segment ahead of time, and then progress during the segment. Right now they have about 92,250KM of videos in the platform, covering some 85 countries.
Note: If you want to see this working in real-time, here’s a link to a Segment to checkout on VeloViewer. Or this one. This one even has music (then click on the ‘Kinomap’ tab) I have over 353 segments in my VeloViewer account that have videos. That’s flippin’ awesome.
Kinomap.TV:
Next we’ve got something totally different from a tech standpoint, which is called Kinomap.TV. What they’re doing is enabling folks to use just a web browser to control trainers and sync it to video content (or not if you don’t want to). This means no downloading of software to your computer. All you need is a browser.
The way it works is that the browser connects with supported trainer brands directly, via GATT (a protocol) over Bluetooth Smart, which allows control of the trainer (assuming you give it permission of course).
At present, they’re supporting the following trainers: Tacx, Elite, CycleOps, Wahoo Fitness.
But what does it do? Well at present it’s a bit of a demonstration concept, albeit a useful one. It simply allows you to control your trainer while watching YouTube videos (such as a playlist) from a browser. So one half of the browser is your YouTube videos, while the other half is the trainer detail/control.
But that’s not really the true long-term intent here. Instead, it’s about large scale remote trainer control without any software being required. The idea being that organizations – be it coaches, races, or teams (or whomever) – can organize events quickly without any sort of software installed. They can include video content easily, as well as remote trainer control easily. This means things like remote resistance control of participants.
Just sit back and think about that for a second. Nobody really does that today.
And more importantly – the ability to not have to deal with software downloading of any sort. You merely just send out a team indoor trainer ride link to your team/group via Facebook, and that’s it. That’s all people have to do: Clink on the link, and they’re now ready to roll at 7PM all watching the same video with resistance control for the group, all from their own homes without everyone troubleshooting whether they have the right software installed.
The same could even go for races, where you’re watching the Giro live on TV, and the resistance will change according to the race leaders position on the course. When they suffer, you suffer.
Both of these things are crazy cool.
Ignoring the team pieces for a second, today the way it works is that on the right side of the screen you’ll see your speed/distance/HR/cadence in those little bubbles, while the left side you’ll see other people in your group (and your equipment). If you want to use a generic resistance change mode, those are the +/- buttons along the bottom. And then you can just load up YouTube videos today as-is. I actually spend a fair bit of time in ERG mode just watching YouTube videos, so this is great for me.
From a tech standpoint, the files afterwards sync to Google Fit (as this is a bit of a partnership with Google), but they also allow export as standard .TCX files, so you can upload that to Strava, Garmin, TrainingPeaks, or whatever platform you like. They’re also looking at other video platforms beyond YouTube as well.
Right now the company supports Mac, Linux, and Android M. Windows support is slated to be finished no later than the end of the year.
ASO Virtual Race:
Later this month they’ll be running a partnership with ASO (Amaury Sports Organization – owner of the Tour de France), around the L’Etape du Tour. That massive event (L’Etape du Tour) is run each summer for regular people to ride. This year it was from Megeve to Morzine, which is about 122KM.
What they did this summer was capture high quality footage during the actual race. So with Kinomap you’ll go and ride the course using the trainer app. If you do so and complete the entire length between October 25th and Nov 10th you’ll get some swag.
This is similar to what TrainerRoad has done in the past with the 8 Days of California, which was roughly like the Tour of California route. Except instead of just getting a virtual badge (the opportunity for a t-shirt/water bottle), everyone that completes the Kinomap race will get a t-shirt from ASO around the L’ETape du Tour. Free swag!
Finally for those curious on pricing in general for Kinomap – the platform costs $59/€59 a year, or 7.99/month (€ or $).
With that – thanks for reading!
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So when’s my trainer app comparison coming (that’s different than the trainer comparison)? Later this month. Got lots of apps to wrap up!
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I wonder how many people are looking for Action Cams w/GPS on Kona right now.
Check out Fulgaz.com if you want a virtual Kona ride.
Not sure why they aren’t going with .fit files, vs. Google Fit w/ .tcx exports? Creepy Google does not need access to my trainer history. I’d much prefer to link directly with Strava as a trainer ride.
Whoever starts riding/recording IM/70.3 courses is going to make a mint (at least in Kinos).
There are some Ironmans available on Kinomap.com. You should have a look.
Most of those videos are clips. I only saw one or two that looked like a full course/course loop.
I want to ride a course before actually riding the course.
Kinomap hosts over 90,000 km so 56,000 miles. You should find the ones you like.
Being a crowd sourced platform, we get so different formats quality and durations. But if you download the Kinomap Trainer App, you can filter the videos per mileage and positive incline, then geography etc. The longest video we have got is a 6hours recording, so probably over 150km ride… Most of the time, action cams have a 2 hours battery life.
Note that the app has a free download giving you access to a set of free videos.
Understood, and I wasn’t trying to disparage Kinomaps, so apologies if that was the way it came across.
My original point was that whoever uploads full course maps is going to get a good amount of traffic/revenue share.
No offense indeed. Recording official races can be a challenge due to the image rights etc… specially ironman being copyrighted… We are working with some race directors to get their content on board. The example starts with L’Etape du Tour Indoor Challenge mentioned by Ray. This cyclosportive is owned by ASO so Tour de France…
As an IP lawyer, I can appreciate that videos can’t be taken of the race itself or branded within Kinomaps as Ironman. But IM can’t make a claim to a 56 mile “Sunday ride through Guerneville, CA” from a random Sunday where the ride tracks the same course as Vineman 70.3. It’s on public roads, and they have no claim to that.*
*This is not legal advice and I am not your lawyer. If you need legal advice, seek out an attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.
You can virtually ride a course by uploading a course / route (previously ridden by you or someone else) in BKool.com & you can (if it meets their requirements) ride it in 3D along w/ a real weather option (if it’s snowing / raining on the real course, it will be doing so in the virtual world). Finally, a “real wind” option can be added to the algorithm also.
Thanks. Downloaded the installer to my mac and installed it, but can’t log in. I keep getting an error, even though I can log into their website just fine. Tried continuing as a guest and it plays music, but the app is just stuck on the sign in page. Not your problem to fix, but if someone from Bkool happens to read this, well, I’m not inclined to spend a lot of time troubleshooting an app I’m not invested in.
Hi guys – we are working closely with Kinomap given our Fly12 cameras (link to dcrainmaker.com) can record for up to 10 hours. This means anyone with a Fly12 can record a full Ironman cycliq leg or grand tour stages and upload them to Kinomap along with the GPX files. As Patrick Myers suggested, the first to record these longer stages, will probably get the most revenue from all those wanting to train at home for the whole leg/stage of these longer events.
I was looking at all Kinomap options and I am still in doubt related to the Trainer vs Fitness version. Seems like the Fitness version you can do the same things as the Trainer version and more, but sure that is something I am missing here. Anyone can help me here?
#Aldo actually both apps are very similar… It’s more a difference in terms of equipment Kinomap Trainer is really done for cyclists, using a smart or classic trainer. Kinomap Fitness includes rowing machines, exercise bikes and treadmills but no home-trainer. Also the updates explained in this article are only only implemented in Trainer. As a Ray Maker reader, that’s definitely the one you want!
Thanks. I asked because it is written at the Fitness webpage “Turn your bike (…) into a powerful and fun fitness machine”. So it seems like it could also be used for hometrainers. I guess a little bit more of explanation would be necessary to make it clear.
You’re right and we have to make it clear…
Kinomap Trainer is really designed for indoor cycling on home trainers. it requires at least a speed&cadence sensor or best case scenario with a power meter. such sensors can be external (set on your bike) or built-in the home trainer.
Kinomap Fitness is more generic so fitness oriented on exercise bike (or recumbent), elliptical, treadmill and rowers. For cycling, just a cadence sensor is required.
In fact we made Kinomap Trainer a bit specific to avoid users challenging each others, one having a cadence sensor and manual resistance, the other one a power meter on a smart trainer being App controlled….
I hope it clarifies a bit.
Boah – I would get sick, looking at those shaky videos. 😛
@Michael Kinomap is a UGC platform and welcomes all kind of videos, including shaky one. The overall quality is improving dramatically though, thanks to the availability of more choices in on-board cams. That’s also why we have this revenue sharing policy that just started to have content producers and editors (through the creation of playlists featured in the app) increasing the quality and also diversity in the level of difficulty.
Ok I’m in. Now, which of the supported trainers do you recommend? I have no smart trainer and waiting with anticipation for your trainer recommendations. Thanks.
The experience is great when having a smart trainer like the ones from Wahoo Tacx or Elite. these are very accurate and the resistance is adjusted by the App.
Otherwise, you can use any existing trainer as long as you set a speed&cadence sensor or power meter on your bike, the sensor you need when you ride outside. We have made some calibration so the App shows you when you have to adjust the resistance, but manually.
to summarize, feel free. It works well on both cases, smart or classic trainer.
I’ve rummaged around the kinomap website but don’t see the Etape du Tour virtual race as described above. When I click on the ‘Etape du Tour’ link I just get details of a training plan intended for the real thing.
I missed out on the 2016 Etape on account of breaking my spine during training. So rather like the idea of competing it virtually instead! Are the details yet to go live, or do I need to sign up to see them?
Thanks!
The pre-announcement was made by DCrainmaker but the official launch is planned on tomorrow. You will get all information from tomorrow on link to kinomap.com. Thanks for your patience…
The link you mentioned was for a training plan we put in place earlier this year, to help participants to get up and running by July 10th. Done by a cycling coach.
Perfect – thanks Philippe!
The link is up from now. apologies for the delay…
link to kinomap.com
First time in my life I see a non-geek company launch a product on Linux before Windows.
@Alberto : yes, that’s not very common. But it’s actually tied to the development of the technology behind, called Web Bluetooth. You can see the implementation status here : link to github.com
Windows support is expected early 2017. In the meantime, the best option to use http://www.kinomap.tv is a Chromebook or a Mac, with Google Chrome…
I am surprised, in a good way since I mostly use Linux.
My doubt now is if my PC supports Bluetooth 4.0. I have a PC with built in support and one with a dongle. I know the one with the dongle has 4.0, but don’t know if the other has it. How can I test it? I just pair the speed/cadence combo sensor with the PC?
As simple as that yes! Make sure you use Google Chrome for Linux as other browsers are not completely supporting this protocol (yet). You should see a popup when clicking “Equipment”=>”Speed and cadence sensors” with all the devices around.
Whoa, looks pretty great! Can you upload Strava files recorded on a cellphone to merge with say…a GoPro video? I’m near a VERY popular route with peak foliage so I’m thinking I could get a very neat ride up this weekend;)
@Matt yes that’s exactly how it works. Know more here: link to kinomap.com
How do i create a video for a Strava/veloviewer segment? Is it automaticly by uploading a complete ride in kinomap?
@Wetterfrosch Exactly, it is automatic: juste drag and drop your video file and your TCX/GPX file here link to kinomap.com and once uploaded the match is automatically done
Thanks for asking. This is how we proceed right now :
– upload a motion video on http;//www.kinomap.com/upload
– once made online, we have a proceed to match our video database with the one from Strava related to the activities.
– we will tag a video by adding POI (start a segment, end a segment), coming soon.
– we tag the videos having a col category on it, then add it to a specific playlist, made available for the indoor training apps
– last but not least, the videos are made available on the Veloviewer website: link to blog.veloviewer.com
Which mean you do not have to take care so much about the segments when you record a video. this is a post processing step on our side.
Philippe
link to kinomap.com
Fine, i will try it.
Kinomap you have definitely planted yourself on my map when my Neo arrives!
Ray, where in the queue does the 2016 trainer app guide sits 😉
I’m generally not tinfoily, but I went to the kinomap.tv site and it wants me to sign in with Google and allow Kinomap to control my entire YouTube account, and access to all my Google information.
Yeah, that will never happen. Ever.
Most sites that want to do this allow you to create an account of your own, am I missing this on Kinomap?
I’d like to try this out, but not with a google account, regardless if you actually touch my data or not.
Hi Philip,
As the technology behind Kinomap.TV is “WebBluetooth” and as this technology should become W3C and standard and as right now it’s mostly promoted by Google, we decided, for the 1st version of Kinomap.TV to have a full Google experience. From account sign-up to export to Google Fit of the workout, and also requesting information about YouTube to fetch automatically the playlists you created on Youtube.
We will definitely have a more open solution in 2017.
Thanks and sorry if it appears intrusive as of now.
Laurent
How realistic is kinomap? I did a ride with allegedly 2700 meters of climbing at an average of 5%, 27 km, in 76 minutes. Seems a bit too good. Also, does it ever go above 10%? Because it seemed to never go above that