I read a great article on Scott Jurek by Gizmodo lately with the crux being the smartphone -iPhone in this case - being the 'ultimate tool'. Part about smartphones below: Full article here Do you agree? Personally, I can't imagine running without my phone now.
It is a personal thing. I never run with my phone (unless I know I will have to call someone to pick me up at the end). Garmin GPS watch does everything I need.
I've no smart/I-phone... I just have a old phone call and sends SMS I try not to forget it when I leave (especially over an hour) if I would have a problem and especially because my lady forces me I run only with my GPS watch also no more technologie or musique
I'm pretty much glued to my phone. Before I had a more modern smartphone, I'd carry multiple devices... two watches (one my Garmin foreruner, the second just an HRM) plus mp3 player, and my phone. My new phone (still pretty outdated compared to todays offerings) allowed me to combine all those into one plus greatly expand capability even more. But it certainly is not needed but I take advantage of it. Besides tracking my runs and bike rides I monitor heartrate with the phone and bluetooth HRM, listen to music with bluetooth earbuds (plus often also run a metronome app to keep my cadence up, something I always struggle with), and often use it to navigate when I am on the bike trying to cycle an unfamiliar route. Plus the 13 MP camera is great for capturing scenery, and full hd video as well. Oh and it can make phone calls too if needed. I just slip it in one of the pockets of my hydration pack, can't even tell its there. There are plenty of times though I go out with no technology at all. Just depends what I am doing and my mood. If it is a race and I really want accurate speed I'll wear the garmin forerunner as the phone's gps is horribly inaccurate in real time. I just can't sync my Garmin with my Linux computer so even though I capture the workout on my Garmin Forerunner I'd have to add the data all manually on the computer.
I must be one of the only people on the planet that doesn't have a smart phone and i still get from a to b just fine.
Has anyone seen the futuristic watch that will be released in 2017 or 2018? It projects the image of your apps and desktop across your forearm. It can tell where the light is broken horizontally in any give quadrant. So freakin' cool! My 13 year old knows all about it. I will get the link and show it to you guys later.
I think that story was a fake (IIRC) but interesting concept nonetheless. My friend, a Korean designer, has come up with another interesting concept would be really helpful for runners wanting to run with their smartphone. I think Technology will become ubiquitous and whilst I like running without any, it's just so embedded in life today it's hard not to imagine this continuing.
I've got to say though, that while I certainly could do without (and many times I do run without any tech) it has helped me a few times! Specifically when I had to bail on a run at like 13 miles from my truck and call for extraction. Yeah TJ if that is the one I am thinking of too then it was an elaborate hoax, not that it would work well anyhow. There is so much clickbait crap out on social media now-a-days
I use the Runkeeper app on my phone which posts a live feed to the internet showing where I am at any given time. My wife wouldn't let me go out on runs on my own if I didn't take my phone Does anyone know if GPS watches can do this, and which ones? .
Paul I assume you have a data plan on your phone so the data is transmitted in real time, and your wife can track you. With a GPS watch that wouldn't be possible since they do not connect to the internet unless your talking about those new smart watches (not sure if they support mobile data plans?).
I usually don't have my phone with me. I love the thought of nobody being able to get in touch with me when I'm out there just being me and my dog running. Sometimes I bring it to use it to take pictures. Sometimes I need to be able to get in contact with someone.
I take my phone when I run alone on remote trails so I can call for a rescue if I get hurt. It's nice not to be on a tight schedule, since my wife gets nervous when I'm overdue. So far all I've used it for is photos. And calls from my wife. Fingers crossed. Gordon
Just finished a half marathon here in Hong Kong (and got a PB!) and I noticed a few folks with armbands that you call fast (but not elite). I think that's the thing people mis-understand with armbands; it's a product designed to help you train with music and through GPS record your run for analysis.
I never liked armbands myself, even on my smaller smartphone, so I never even tried one on the 5"er. Most times I have my hydration vest on and slip it into the front pocket 5" phone fits perfect. On the subject... if anyone else listens to music over bluetooth on android... mine after a song or two looses the control buttons on my earbuds. Volume still works but that is a function of the earbuds themselves. But I loose the ability to play/pause or next track, etc. If I wake my phone up, then open up the music player and manually do one of these things, then my bluetooth controls start working again (for a song or two, then stopworking). Of course the point of the controls on the earbuds is to not have to use your phone.
I've tried wireless/bluetooth also Tristan but I don't think the technology is quite there yet for 100% accurate control/high quality audio. (I wouldn't have made an armband otherwise) That's an area we might look at with our next product as there's probably an opportunity to make super high quality bluetooth earbuds specifically for runners/athletes.
