Can 3rd parties access the GPS?

[StuMcBill]

I have my AW series 2, and was hoping to use runtastic as my run tracker, while using the onboard GPS and leaving my phone at home.

When I try and start a run while disconnected from my iPhone, it tells me it needs the iPhone for GPS signal.

Can 3rd party apps not access the GPS, or does runtastic just need to update their app?

Thanks

 

[BlueMoon63]

According to Apple during the event, they said that third party apps would have access to the GPS. Now, those third party apps need to be updated to take advantage of this. Contact the app maker on their feedback option to see if/when they will take advantage of the built-in GPS on the watch.

 

[zhenya]

Not currently. Apple has been silent on when it will be coming. iSmoothRun was updated yesterday and in the notes indicated that native gps use was coming later this year. He's pretty on top of things so that indicates to me it's a delay on Apple's end, not the developers.

 

[Julien]

....He's pretty on top of things so that indicates to me it's a delay on Apple's end, not the developers.

[theory] Could be that Apple is working with Nike to get NRC GPS and reduced bugs ready for the Nike Watch release so it can be first out the gate and then allow 3ed party APIs.[/theory] Nike made a mess of NRC and since so many of it's engineering team has moved to Apple this could be part of the reason Nike struggles with NRC and needs Apple's help.

 

[zhenya]

[theory] Could be that Apple is working with Nike to get NRC GPS and reduced bugs ready for the Nike Watch release so it can be first out the gate and then allow 3ed party APIs.[/theory] Nike made a mess of NRC and since so many of it's engineering team has moved to Apple this could be part of the reason Nike struggles with NRC and needs Apple's help.

Yeah, I agree with that. I've said in the past that my thought was the delay on the Nike watch version was on the software side, rather than the hardware.

 

[Julien]

Yeah, I agree with that. I've said in the past that my thought was the delay on the Nike watch version was on the software side, rather than the hardware.

It could be that punching holes in a Sports band takes weeks for the Apple artisan to do by hand.

 

[Night Spring]

It could be that punching holes in a Sports band takes weeks for the Apple artisan to do by hand.

Heh. Seriously, I've tried the Nike band on at an Apple Store, and it's nicer than I expected. It somehow feels more supple than the regular Sports band, and the holes are spaced closer together, so it's more likely to find a hole that fits right. Currently, I'm in between holes on my Sports band -- one is too tight but the next one is too loose.

 

[Julien]

Heh. Seriously, I've tried the Nike band on at an Apple Store, and it's nicer than I expected.....

Just being sarcastic. Seems all but certain the Nike Watch is held up because of the software and nothing to do with the hardware (bands).