14 DAY TRIAL // Berbie has released a new beta version of its route-planning piece of software for Mac OS X, TrailRunner. The app can calculate a route for the desired distance, is freely available for download and can export directions onto the users' iPods.
Currently at version 2.1 Beta 9, TrailRunner includes minor updates targeting the Snow Leopard compatibility, as well as the addition of a message dialog when a track editor operation is not valid for the current selection. Two bug fixes have made their way into this release, one of which addresses activity entries added from a merge (used to miss the routes' name). Another fixes a kml importer issue.
TrailRunner can display maps and elevation data from web-based mapping services like USGS topo maps, import GPS Recordings from Trails for iPhone, as well as import tracks and workouts from GPS fitness devices like the Garmin ForeRunner or Garmin Edge. Users can describe favorite tracks and rate them with iTunes stars, and plan their routes interactively, or automatically for a given distance. Exporting route directions onto an iPod is also possible, as is the ability to journalize workouts in a diary, see progress in a history chart, and ultimately publish a WebLog to MobileMe.
Softpedia readers should note that TrailRunner is still in the pre-release state. Although downloading and using the app is free, all current releases of TrailRunner will run for about three months. Users are advised to regularly update to the most current version, as well as review and accept the License Agreement that comes with the application, before using it. TrailRunner versions above 1.6 (including the one available for download today) require Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard to run. The only remaining version supported on Tiger is TrailRunner 1.6. TrailRunner is updated on a weekly basis with very few exceptions.