I've hardly heard this discussed, but WatchOS is supposed to have a special mode for track workouts. I've only heard it mentioned by DC Rainmaker. Does anyone know if the feature would be available on the Series 4 watch? This is what Apple says:
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WatchOS 9: Track Mode
- Thread starter msackey
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So far the only running metrics added for me on my 5 is HR zones, none of the other stuff so who knows, it is US based at first then rolling out worldwide.
For the Track mode, yes, that is US only and Apple says coming later this year. I don't know exactly when it'll be coming though. I am in the US and a feature like this could be a nice game changer.
DC Rainmaker explains that what this mode does it using satellite imagery, it recognizes outdoor tracks and therefore can "accurately" track such workouts. As you may know, using the GPS to track running on a track is very inaccurate especially because of the turns.
DC Rainmaker explains that what this mode does it using satellite imagery, it recognizes outdoor tracks and therefore can "accurately" track such workouts. As you may know, using the GPS to track running on a track is very inaccurate especially because of the turns.
So reviving this old thread…
With the next dot upgrade of WatchOS 9 to come next Monday, I have not heard a peep about the two things that I’m really looking forward to with WatchOS 9:
- track detection
- international roaming
Has anyone heard or have any insight as to when Apple might possibly implement these features? Or to backtrack a bit, are there currently any beta versions of WatchOS 9 in which track detection is actually working?
With the next dot upgrade of WatchOS 9 to come next Monday, I have not heard a peep about the two things that I’m really looking forward to with WatchOS 9:
- track detection
- international roaming
Has anyone heard or have any insight as to when Apple might possibly implement these features? Or to backtrack a bit, are there currently any beta versions of WatchOS 9 in which track detection is actually working?
Upping this as 9.2 is released. Have any fellow US runners tried it yet?
I've been dying to try this out but haven't had chance yet, both due to work and the weather being cold. But...hopefully I can try it out either this afternoon or some time in the next few days!
I find it hilarious that track mode would be a US only/US first feature. Are tracks somehow different in other parts of the world?
I think it has to do with the way it detects athletic tracks. It uses GPS data and actual information from maps to figure out details about the track (presumably, length, lanes, lane width, etc. since not all tracks in the US are Olympic-regulation size or there might be different size regulations used. For instance, I think some tracks are 400m while others are 1/4 mile (similar but not the same). So presumably this means that right now Apple only has map details for outdoor tracks in the US and not a complete dataset for tracks outside of the country.
So to answer your question: yes, per their method track detection, tracks are different in other parts of the world because they don't yet have appropriate data for it ;-)
Interesting. Okay, that sort of makes sense. Thanks! I guess I would have expected it to be more like a pool workout, where you tell it how long the track is and then, using the accelerometer, it figures out the rest.
The Verge has some minor info on track mode:
www.theverge.com
Would be interested how this works:
„If the watch isn’t able to detect the track for whatever reason, users can manually submit that information later in the Fitness app.“
A screenshot would be useful. And curious if this manual mode is also US only?
watchOS 9.2 adds new running features and longer Ultra battery
The Ultra can now last up to 17 hours in Low Power Mode.
Would be interested how this works:
„If the watch isn’t able to detect the track for whatever reason, users can manually submit that information later in the Fitness app.“
A screenshot would be useful. And curious if this manual mode is also US only?
The Verge has some minor info on track mode:
watchOS 9.2 adds new running features and longer Ultra battery
The Ultra can now last up to 17 hours in Low Power Mode.
Thanks for posting this! The article notes: "Automatic Track Detection can tell whenever you arrive at any standard 400-meter outdoor track"
Does that mean it will NOT detect "non-standard" 400m outdoor track such as 440 yard tracks (440 yards being 1/4 mile)? I suspect new schools use standard 400 m, but I bet there are many older schools in the US that continue to have 440 yard tracks. What will the app detect or indicate?
Looks like there is a new article on automatic detection of track workouts: https://support.apple.com/en-is/guide/watch-ultra/apd2fc7911cf/watchos
Noting the following below, I wonder how can you bother/manage to indicate a lane change when you are doing a fast workout with a group of people or groups of people that involve passing them?
Noting the following below, I wonder how can you bother/manage to indicate a lane change when you are doing a fast workout with a group of people or groups of people that involve passing them?
DC Rainmaker wrote an article about the new features of watchOS 9.2:
www.dcrainmaker.com
Apple Watch Updates: Running Track Mode, Race Route, and Extended Battery Times
This has been a busy last week or two for Apple, especially in the watch realm. But also in other areas like expanding out iPhone 14 Emergency SOS via Satellite to some European countries. In this quick post, I’m going
www.dcrainmaker.com