Version 1.9 of the API has been released.
This release adds two new features: parent/child device API and optional TCX conversion for FIT fitness data. Examples for both are included along with a new file-listing example for FIT mass storage devices.
Also included is an important Internet Explorer bug fix.
Version 1.8 of the API has been released. For this release we focused on adding file listing capabilities as well as simplifying the distributable itself. Check the release notes page for all the details.
We’ve also promoted some of the slightly hidden examples and documentation to the Garmin developer site.
We’re happy to announce that we have a new developer forum for the Garmin Communicator API project (as well as other development projects).
The new forum is located at http://forums.garmin.com under “Device Communications”. Here’s a direct link. You may use your Garmin login, or create a new account.
In the meanwhile, the old Communicator API forum is on read-only mode.
Please note that the Communicator Plugin API forum is a developer forum and should only be used for development questions about the API. Any other questions or concerns about Garmin products or services should be made under the appropriate category on the main forum page or by contacting Garmin Support.
We’ve released a new version of the API that has added more fitness support, Windows Safari support, and plenty of bug fixes.
Check the Release Notes page for details.
For links to the distribution, and more information on the API, click here.
New minor release with the following changes released today:
More information and the distribution file for the Communicator Plugin API available here.
Changes from 1.3 to 1.4.1:
As usual, you can access the latest release distribution and documentation from Garmin Communicator Plugin API.
Or you can access the 1.4.1 docs directly.
This version has been released for PC and Mac. Release features:
PC and Mac download links available here.
Mac Leopard users should also notice a drastic improvement in read transfer rate with this release.
An API release is coming up soon.
We’ve been working hard on our new web application, Garmin Connect. The 0.5 release of the site is geared for the new Forerunner 50, sporting ANT technology to wirelessly transfer and upload activities from the device to the computer to the web. Other fitness devices containing tracks and routes will be supported in our 1.0 launch.
In regards to the Communicator Plugin, we’ve been working on full Mac support. In other words, Leopard. We’ve also been working on support for our new devices, like the Edge 705, which features turn-by-turn directions, color display, and power data (from ANT + Sportâ„¢-enabled third-party power meters). We’re shooting for that release in mid-November. We’ve also made Communicator Plugin API improvements that will be included in the next release.
More info to come…
Until then, Happy Halloween! (Tracking trick-or-treat routes might be interesting…)
Communicator Plugin for Mac 2.2.1.0 has been released on the official Garmin site.
Changes made from version 2.2.0.1 Beta to 2.2.1.0:
System Requirements:
This version has not been well tested on Leopard yet. We will re-release the plugin with Leopard support.
Geocaching.com users should be happy to know that the Geocaching.com site now supports the Mac plugin after the recent release of the Communicator Plugin API.
Inquiries and/or reports should be made on our developer forum.
We’re happy to announce new releases of the Communicator Plugin as well as the Communicator Plugin API! The Communicator Plugin is released at version 2.2.1 and the API at version 1.3. The main features we’ve added are full fitness transfers, Mac plugin support, and activity directory and detail reading. This last feature allows retrieval of specific activities and decreases the size of data transfers. More features are described below.
Download Communicator Plugin 2.2.1.0
Check out the new Communicator Plugin API
Communicator Plugin API 1.3 Documentation
New features in the plugin and the API:
This version of the API supports the Mac plugin. We’ve also updated the official Garmin Test Page to detect the Mac plugin.
A quick way to try out these features after installing the plugin is to use our Control Demo Page. More feature-specific demos will be added to Garmin Developer documenting how to integrate features into your own site.
We advise web developers to use our versioned API when linking to the code on developer.garmin.com to maintain consistent functionality throughout our new releases.
We’ve received various inquiries concerning the XML schemas for formats used by Garmin devices. This is understandable as we realized there is no central location for developers to find this kind of information. So now we’re providing it.
The Garmin Formats site is a sub-project of Garmin Developer and provides access to the official XML schemas as well as additional information on the formats and their use. Also provided for each format are instructions for those using Maven to integrate the formats into their projects with ease. Formats included on the site comprise of Garmin-created formats (i.e. TCX, AXM) as well as ones created outside of Garmin (i.e. GPX, KML ).
Currently, the following formats are available:
A brief note on the version formatting. Garmin-created formats have the ‘v’ prefix and lack of decimal notation.
This site will continue to be a work in progress and be updated and added to as necessary.
Finally! An incredibly easy way to draw new tracks and modify existing ones to and from Garmin fitness devices! Our pals at GPSies.com have integrated the Garmin Communicator Plugin even further. The site provides a user-friendly way to find fitness tracks from their growing community and download them in various formats.
In addition to their upload and download features, they’ve recently added a very useful and easy to use feature that allows you to modify imported tracks by manipulating the trackpoints on a map, and to draw out new tracks by placing trackpoints on the map. Try it out now or keep reading to see how.
Here’s a track I drew of my usual Tiburon Bayside run:
Best of all, GPSies.com allows importing from and exporting to various track formats, including Garmin fitness formats (i.e. TCX and CRS). This allows you to write your customized track to your Garmin fitness device, or import and modify an existing track from your Garmin device and re-export it to one of the many other format types supported by the application.
To export your track and get it onto your Garmin device, select “Garmin Course TCX” or “Garmin Course CRS” from the Export file drop-down menu:
Then click on “Export to Garmin GPS” in the same panel. Don’t forget to name the track in the Settings panel before exporting.
Being able to modify existing tracks is incredibly useful for when you perhaps don’t finish your complete course when using your device (or accidentally turn off your device during the activity), or want to use an alternative path based on an existing track. GPSies.com allows you to do this by importing your recorded track from your device so that you can edit it on the map.
To import a track from your Garmin device, click on “Import from Garmin GPS” in the Import panel:
Then select the track you want to import after retrieving all data from the device:
After selecting, click on “>> Select track”, and your track will be editable on the GPSies page.