Latest watchOS 9.2 Beta Includes Race Route Workout Feature for Runners and Cyclists

[MacRumors]

With the third beta of watchOS 9.2 that was provided to developers on Tuesday, Apple has added the new Race Route feature to the Workout app.

Designed especially for runners and cyclists, Race Route lets you compete against yourself on a route you've already completed and tracked as an outdoor run or cycle on Apple Watch.

You can race against your best or last result on any frequently completed outdoor running routes, and the feature also offers in-session pacing guidance to keep your progress competitive.

Coming later this year, Race Route is compatible with Apple Watch Series 4 and later models. The upcoming release of watchOS 9.2 is also likely to include Track Detection, which automatically detects when you arrive at a running track, and combines Apple Maps data with GPS to provide a more accurate route map and more accurate pace and distance metrics.

watchOS 9.2 also introduces support for a new Home app architecture that has also been added to iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, and macOS Ventura.

Article Link: Latest watchOS 9.2 Beta Includes Race Route Workout Feature for Runners and Cyclists

 

[DMG35]

Just out of curiosity, why do I need my watch to detect when I reach a track?

 

[saintmac]

Just out of curiosity, why do I need my watch to detect when I reach a track?

Because a track, by definition is curvy which makes it harder for GPS to track your precise distance (and have a pretty Strava trail)
If you do many laps, the errors will add up resulting in not so accurate distance and pacing information.

Apple's track feature will recognise that you are on a track, and will let you set on which lane you are to be able to provide more accurate data. I believe it's quite similar to the way a car GPS always shows you on the road even if the GPS data it gets actually detects you on the side of the road

 

[Tenkaykev]

The graphic caught my attention as it shows " Penicuik " a small town south of Edinburgh, and home of Penicuik Harriers. I visit the area several times a year, but it seemed strange to see it featured in a mainly USA based web site.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸👍

 

[Filip01]

If I use the native run app on my Apple Watch, will it sync with other apps like Nike, Garmin etc.?

 

[Flying Grayson]

This will be a hugely welcomed feature in my household and friendship group. I guess my predominant question is whether the data from this feature will play nicely with apps such as Strava, or will Apple want you to become tethered to the Fitness app to view the metrics.

 

[MisterMxyzptlk]

Just in time for the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. I guess I walk the route the day before to get it on the watch. Be nice if I could download the route.

 

[allianz]

Oh nice it is back!! It was in the 9.0 beta1 or something and missing till then.

Tipp i learned: After you startet Beta Programm for your watch (Beta for iPhone is required for this) you can leave the Beta program for iPhone but will stay on beta for apple watch. Which is great because that's my to go config. I need a reliable iPhone but can live with bugs on my watch 😆

 

[ch1ptune]

So cool! Been waiting for this feature! Can’t wait to try it!

 

[xDKP]

Oh nice it is back!! It was in the 9.0 beta1 or something and missing till then.

Tipp i learned: After you startet Beta Programm for your watch (Beta for iPhone is required for this) you can leave the Beta program for iPhone but will stay on beta for apple watch. Which is great because that's my to go config. I need a reliable iPhone but can live with bugs on my watch 😆

Yeah I tried some of the early versions as well. It was a great features, but has some issues: A lot of runs were on the same route but were 10,1 km. or 10,08 km or 10,12 km and should be the same route and have same list of recent runs - but Apple considered them different routes

Hope it's been fixed

 

[tdar]

I am still surprised that they don’t have a workout for the most common home exercise program. Treadmill. Yes I know that you can use indoor walk. Trust me, it’s not the same.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

I would love this for walks.

I'm not much of a runner or cyclist, but I do go for walks, and have a few routes (most of them up hills or even over mountains) where I definitively compete with myself, and track times to gauge my form.

 

[Godspeed8230]

I would love this for walks.

I'm not much of a runner or cyclist, but I do go for walks, and have a few routes (most of them up hills or even over mountains) where I definitively compete with myself, and track times to gauge my form.

Correct me if I am wrong, but can't you just start a run-workout even though you are just walking?
I mean after all the only difference is the speed Et voilà, now you can compete with yourself.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Correct me if I am wrong, but can't you just start a run-workout even though you are just walking?
I mean after all the only difference is the speed Et voilà, now you can compete with yourself.

Maybe, but I do prefer "Outdoor Walk" for - well - walking out...doors...

 

[BugeyeSTI]

I am still surprised that they don’t have a workout for the most common home exercise program. Treadmill. Yes I know that you can use indoor walk. Trust me, it’s not the same.

I'm with you on that. Tried to do a treadmill workout yesterday due to snowy conditions all day and I noticed indoor walk was the only option. It's lacking in many respects

 

[Futurix]

What I really want to know is - will watchOS 9.2 introduced international data roaming as promised for the end of the year?

 

[glindon]

Correct me if I am wrong, but can't you just start a run-workout even though you are just walking?
I mean after all the only difference is the speed Et voilà, now you can compete with yourself.

Unfortunately if you do runs occasionally it will mess up your metrics that the run workouts track. Also you will get a really low VO2 max reading.

 

[EugW]

This feature sounds great.

What would be even more great is I got off my @ss and actually tried it out. 🙃 Mind you, I would have more likely used it for cycling, and today we just got our first significant snowfall. I know... excuses, excuses...

 

[glindon]

I am still surprised that they don’t have a workout for the most common home exercise program. Treadmill. Yes I know that you can use indoor walk. Trust me, it’s not the same.

My treadmill has FTMS Bluetooth. Why can’t the watch connect to it and get the metrics? Kino app can control it and read the data but distance, elevation doesn’t go into Apple health, watch just records its usual data. Seems trivial for apple to add this. They have GymKit already which is same but different protocol. FTMS is universal Bluetooth profile.

 

[citysnaps]

My treadmill has FTMS Bluetooth. Why can’t the watch connect to it and get the metrics? Kino app can control it and read the data but distance, elevation doesn’t go into Apple health, watch just records its usual data. Seems trivial for apple to add this. They have GymKit already which is same but different protocol. FTMS is universal Bluetooth profile.

Write a letter to Craig F with your recommendation. You'll likely get a reply and may even be surprised should Apple be working on that. Since you're interested and have a proper treadmill, you might even be asked to help beta test. Go for it!

 

[iSayuSay]

Correct me if I am wrong, but can't you just start a run-workout even though you are just walking?
I mean after all the only difference is the speed Et voilà, now you can compete with yourself.

The Watch is smart enough to differ between running and walking. Heart rate is way too low when you just walking leisurely, and obviously speed from GPS reading is way lower too.

In my experience the watch will frequently suggest you to change the workout into “outdoor walk” or stop the session because it thinks you stopped working out.

 

[jaknudsen]

How about supporting GPS recording when using the XC Skiing activity type?

 

[WildSelkie]

I am still surprised that they don’t have a workout for the most common home exercise program. Treadmill. Yes I know that you can use indoor walk. Trust me, it’s not the same.

Indoor Run workout?

 

[mapsdotapp]

I am still surprised that they don’t have a workout for the most common home exercise program. Treadmill. Yes I know that you can use indoor walk. Trust me, it’s not the same.

Workout types on Apple Watch - Apple Support

The Workout app has multiple workout types that you can use to track your exercise.

support.apple.com

 

[AgeOfSpiracles]

This will be a hugely welcomed feature in my household and friendship group. I guess my predominant question is whether the data from this feature will play nicely with apps such as Strava, or will Apple want you to become tethered to the Fitness app to view the metrics.

I use strava, but I don't use their app during my runs. I run with the Fitness app and all the data is imported into Strava... as far as I can tell, the result is the same as using their app during the run (which I don't care for).