Wow! It’s been a while since we blogged.  Sorry about that.  We’ve been pretty busy working on some awesome new products for you.  We promise to be better!   Stay tuned for another post on the cool things we saw at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week (one of our lame excuses for not blogging lately).  

In other news, we’re pumped that the Wahoo Fitness Blue HR Heart Rate Strap for iPhone 4S is finally in the market and even more excited that you all seem to be enjoying using it!  We’ve had a few questions on Facebook and Twitter about the Wahoo Blue HR and about Bluetooth Smart in general, so below is a little Q and A that might be interesting to y’all.  Let us know if you have any other questions. 

 

What is a Wahoo Blue HR? 

• In case you’ve been under a rock, the Wahoo Fitness Blue HR Heart Rate Strap is a hardware (strap and sensor) and software (app) tool that allows you to track your heart rate on your phone.  Worn on the chest, this wireless device gathers electrical activity data to derive your heart beats per minute.  It operates on Bluetooth Smart (aka Bluetooth 4.0, Bluetooth Low Energy, BTLE) wireless technology and it the first of its kind, available now!

 

Will it work with my iPhone 4?

• Nope.  The Wahoo Blue HR ONLY works with the iPhone 4S right now, but in the future it will work with other “Bluetooth Smart Ready” devices.  Rumor is that the next several generations of iPhones and Android devices will all have Bluetooth Smart wireless technology integrated.  This product will NOT work with the iPhone 3, 3GS, or 4. 

 

Will it work with other Bluetooth Devices?

• Nope.  Bluetooth Smart is a completely new type technology and therefore is not backwards compatible with other generation of Bluetooth devices.

 

Can I use ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart Wahoo Sensors at the same time?

• Yes! We built our product so they play nicely together.  Therefore, if you have our ANT+ iPhone Bike Case collecting data from an ANT+ Speed and Cadence Sensor and/or Power Meter, you can also read your heart rate from a Wahoo Blue HR- all simultaneously.  You can also wear your Bluetooth Classic (any generation up to, but not including, Bluetooth 4.0) wireless headphones at the same time, without interference of any kind. 

 

Is there a limit to the number and type of sensors I can use at the same time?

• There is, but you’d have to turn yourself into The Bonic Man/Woman to reach it.  We’re told that there is “no practical limit” to the number of sensors that can run simultaneously, and as mentioned above, as long as you have an ANT+ receiver (Wahoo Key or Wahoo Bike Case) you can mix and match ANT+, Bluetooth Classic, and Bluetooth Smart sensors without interference.  Go wild.

 

What Apps can I use with the Wahoo Blue HR?

• You can use the free Wahoo Fitness App or any of our awesome partner apps.  If your compatible App isn’t working, make sure you have the most updated version.

 

What’s the difference between ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart?

• Bluetooth Smart and ANT+ are both 2.4 gHZ Wireless technologies. They both allow your iPhone to read data from sensors that run on their respective wireless protocols.  ANT+ is great because it’s a standardized protocol that’s prevalent in the Health and Fitness industry.  This is good for you because if you buy an ANT+ Sensor you know it will work with any ANT+ receiver, regardless of brand name.  Bluetooth Smart has a slightly better connectivity range.  Neither can read signals underwater because water is a great insulator against 2.4 gHZ radio waves.   Both technologies are low energy, meaning they can run for about a year or two on a small coin cell battery without recharging.  This means no plugging in and a simple battery replacement when your original battery dies.  We like both technologies- they’re just different.  We have plans to continue making both ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart sensors in the future.

 

How do I use it? 

• Thoroughly wet both electrodes on the strap with water or electrode gel.
• Snap one end of the strap to one side of the sensor. Either end of the strap can connect to either end of the sensor, just make sure the Wahoo Fitness logo is facing up.
• Wrap the strap around your back, snap the free end in place, and adjust so that the sensor is located on your breastplate, or just below your breasts. Make sure the strap is snug, yet comfortable.
• Once in place, move within 5’ - 10’ of any device that receives Bluetooth Smart wireless data, such as the iPhone 4S and pair the device to your phone with any compatible App.

How do I pair it with my device? 

• Each App pairs a little differently. Make sure the Bluetooth setting on your device is turned on and that you have latest version of your favorite compatible app. 
• The Wahoo Blue HR heart rate strap pairs in the app, not in Bluetooth settings in your phone.  Note: This is a different process than how Bluetooth Classic devices traditionally pair.
• Follow pairing instructions of whichever app you are using.  In the Wahoo Fitness App you’ll need to go to “Quick Settings” and choose “Add New” under “Sensors Used.”  You’ll have to be wearing your Wahoo Blue HR in order for the App to find the sensor.  When you see your heartbeat on the screen, choose “Save.”

It won't connect! What do I do? 

• Check that the electrodes are wet.  Lick them good.
• Make sure you have good contact with your skin and that the strap is snug across your chest.
• Check that the Wahoo Blue HR is ‘awake.’ It ‘sleeps’ with inactivity to save battery.  Do a few jumping jacks to get the blood flowing.
• Make sure Bluetooth is turned on in your settings.

How do I change the battery?

• The battery in your Wahoo Blue HR should last a year or so and is cheap and easy to replace when it dies. The battery is located behind a cover on the back of your heart rate sensor.  Use a coin (nickels work best) to turn the cover counterclockwise to open. Replace with a 3-volt CR2032 battery.

 

Introducing The Protector: A Tough iPhone Bike Case

You asked for it, so we made it.  We’re proud to announce a brand new product from Wahoo Fitness,The Protector It’s an awesome iPhone Bike Case with NO ANT+ technology.  What does that mean, you say?  Let me tell you.

First, we had a bunch of folks emailing, facebooking and tweeting us that they love the idea of our case, but were less interested in measuring cadence and power information.  And if all you need is a case to protect and hold your iPhone while you’re cycling, $150 is a tough price point.  If you’re more of a casual rider, beach cruiser, etc. this might be just the case for you!

Second, as we learned more about Bluetooth Smart and how the iPhone 4S and other phone are starting to use it, we thought it’d be great to have a case without the “integrated Wahoo Key.”  As we release new Bluetooth Smart enabled sensors (like the Wahoo Blue HR- coming soon!) You’ll be able to use this less expensive case to connect to them to your iPhone 4S. 

The Protector features the same rugged construction of the Wahoo Bike Case, with a hard plastic case and 6 clips to secure your phone in place.  It’s water and shock resistant so your phone will be protected from the elements and from any spills (not that any of us have EVER fallen…).  It mounts easily to most bikes with a semi-permanent mount and quick-release connection.  This way you can purchase extra mounts for all of your different rides and use the same case.  It also features all of the same ports as the Wahoo Bike Case—front and rear view camera, headphone port, and Micro-USB port so you can connect our optional Wahoo Extended Battery for double the battery life.  The touch screen is fully accessible and functional.  To be perfectly clear, this case WILL NOT connect to your ANT+ sensors. But it works with lots of awesome cycling apps and is perfect if you don't need to connect to ANT+ sensors.

As the experts in smartphone fitness technology, we’re always working hard to bring you the latest and greatest solutions to track your fitness activities on your phone. If you have any questions about The Protector iPhone Bike Case or suggestions on other new products we should explore, let us know! Shoot us an email at molly@wahoofitness.com or join the conversation on Twitter or Facebook.

As you know from our earlier blog post, three members of the Wahoo Fitness team are on an epic journey to qualify for the 2013 Boston Marathon.  The first stop on our quest for Boston glory was Lowell, MA where I ran the 23rd annual Baystate Marathon.  It was a perfect day to run- cool and sunny- and the course was a dream- flat and scenic.  I had an awesome team of parents, sisters, grandparents, aunts and cousins who came out to cheer and high five me in person and an equally awesome group of folks who were cheering me on from afar-- sending support via text, Facebook, Twitter, smoke signals, etc.  I snatched my BQ time with an official clock time of 3:34:03... In by 57 seconds!  I felt good about my training, but you never know what they day will bring and I was just grateful that I had enough in me to hold onto the pace at the end.  Awesome day!
And now the pressure is on, boys!  Stay tuned to hear how Wahoo Chip does in the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Running with an iPhone

10 months ago when I started at Wahoo Fitness, I was a Garmin addict. I love long course running and triathlon and after 2 years of training with my trusty Garmin 305, it was going to be tough to pry if off my wrist. This GPS watch had been my partner on too many hill repeats to count (actually 324 or so after checking my Garmin Connect account) and I wasn't ready to give it up.

The problem? I am head of sales and marketing for Wahoo Fitness. I am supposed to be pimping our products! The first 10 times I ran with Chip (our founder), I still had my 305 and I took a lot of crap. I loved riding with my iPhone in our Bike Case but it was tough for me to make the switch on the running side. I soldiered on with my Garmin, leaving the house with the GPS watch on my wrist, iPod Nano clipped on my hat, and sometimes my iPhone in a plastic baggie in my fuel belt (for long runs). My pre-run countdown was now 20 steps long (grab Garmin, charge Nano, wave hand around in the air to get satellite signal…) 

After a month, i made the switch to running with my iPhone. To quote the old adage, "Change is good but transition sucks."  I'll be honest,  it took me three runs to get it right--  the right screen, the right voice prompts, the right settings. BUT, I think back to the first time I ran with my Garmin.  For the first 6 weeks I ran with three fields - time, distance, and instantaneous pace. The pace jumped all over the pace and drove me crazy. It wasn't until a friend (who also had a Garmin) showed me his field settings that I was able to see the right data and use it as an effective training tool.  

Fast forward 9 months. I love running with my iPhone. I use either the Wahoo Fitness App or Runmeter (I had access to the beta with HR - sweet!). I listen to either NPR podcasts or Pandora while I run (love the internet access). I leave the house with one device - nice and simple. And to dispel a myth - the GPS in your iPhone is just as accurate as any GPS watch, sometimes even more accurate!

 If you’re interested, here are my voice prompt settings for the Wahoo Fitness App. Note: I like listening to Sunni - she's my training partner! It's cool listening to her voice over my music.

 

How to set up voice prompts: 

Quick settings --> Trigger settings 

Every 1 mile

- Auto Lap
 

Every 0.5 mile (voice prompt)

- Time: Running W/O (total time)

- Pace: Workout

- Pace: Lap (I want to know if I am running this mile faster/slower than my workout average)
 

Every 0.2 mile (voice prompt)

- Pace: Current (I use a footpod to get this, great for intervals)

 

That's it! We would love to hear about your experiences running with an iPhone or Android - email us your stories at IAmARunner@WahooFitness.com!