Route-planning software

Jan 13, 2009 11:12 GMT  ·  By

TrailRunner is aimed at sports dealing with long-distance traveling, such as running, biking, hiking, and inline-skating. The free software is able to determine how long or how effective one's workouts are, and what routes work best for them.

Berbie's route-planning app can also calculate a route for the desired distance, and export directions onto the users' iPods. This way, they get a detailed orientation, while keeping the workout going. In recent releases, the company introduced the ability to display collected workout data within the program, matching the recordings with routes created by users.

The development team also added integration with nikeplus.com, the online community for the Nike SportBand, and the Apple Nike+ iPod Sport Kit running devices. The previous available version of TrailRunner (1.8.3.) fixed a KML import issue, and a problem with the Nike+ importer that didn't detect Internet connections.

The latest version of the software, TrailRunner 1.9.303, delivers dozens of new additions and fixes. While enhancements are somewhat more post-worthy, anyone interested in the bug fixes can check out the full changelog / version history here. So, here's what's new:

Better

- improved map scrolling behavior when using a mouse scroll wheel (broken); - improved the merge tracks with intermediate track command. This applies to both, automatic merges and manual merges; - added bases de données cartographiques France 1:50 000; - added preliminary Simplified Chinese localization; - added an average heart-rate row to the diary history chart (olaf); - added a duration row to the diary history chart (nico); - importing workouts from Garmin Training Center now lets you import mixed workouts with or without GPS coordinates (indoor/outdoor); - the diary table has now two separate columns that display speed or Pace; - extended preferences (sync to select the preferred iPhone sync application).

New

- added Trails for iPhone as a new partner application to import recorded courses; - added Trails from Felix Lamouroux to the list of supported iPhone Applications. Requires Trails 1.7 and above.

TrailRunner is in pre-release state, according to Berbie. All beta releases of TrailRunner (including the one available today) will run for about three months, the company says.

Download TrailRunner (Free)