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TECH NEWS

Zwift iOS beta app coming soon

No need for a laptop and ANT+ dongle as Zwift unveils iOS app

​Zwift, the popular online training platform, is soon to launch a beta iOS app so you can use it on an iPhone or iPad. Previously, it could only be used on a Windows or Mac laptop. 

With the new app, the company hopes to open up Zwift to those people that don’t own a laptop. It will use the smartphones Bluetooth so an ANT+ dongle won’t be needed. 

- How to get started on Zwift

Speaking ahead of the launch of the iOS app at Eurobike in Germany this week, Eric Min, Zwift CEO and founder said: “We’re committed to making Zwift more accessible, easier to set-up and stress-free to ride. Zwifting on iPad and iPhone achieves all of this without compromising on a quality experience for our users.

“Twelve months ago, Zwift was a product associated with high spec computers, ANT+ dongles, and permanent home set-ups with large screen TVs. Very soon, this same product will be available at the tap of a finger from the App Store, entirely portable and easy to connect via Bluetooth. This is great news for cyclists across the world who live in city apartments and shared homes, where space is a premium.”

The app is still a beta mode and will be available in September with invites being sent out to the Zwift community. It is hoping to roll out a full app in winter 2016 with pricing set at £8 a month. 

http://zwift.com/

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

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8 comments

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redhanded | 7 years ago
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... additionally Zwift have said the big issue with Android is the huge difference in performance between devices as the Zwift app needs a high spec device to run the graphics.  They've said they only support the more recent iOS devices.

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CyberTonTo72 | 7 years ago
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Wonder why they went for a smaller market with the iOS instead of Android market ?

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redhanded replied to CyberTonTo72 | 7 years ago
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CyberTonTo72 wrote:

Wonder why they went for a smaller market with the iOS instead of Android market ?

Android may have an overall larger market share but most of this is made up of cheap devices sold to people who are unlikely to buy smart trainers and Zwift.  From the perspective of Zwift, iOS users will be a larger market.

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Team EPO | 7 years ago
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Anyone know if there is a newer version of this for iphone 5 or 6???

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wahoo-ANT-Adapter-iPod-iPhone/dp/B0042WGO3Y?tag...

 

or maybe use an adapter from the large 30 pin iphone 4 to the new smaller iphone 5 mount but bit of a bodge clutter

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Apple-iPod-Lightning-30-PIN-Adapter-ZML/dp/B009...

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AWP | 7 years ago
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New sensors?

What about existing power meters that are only ANT+. They must have a solution for that in the pipeline?

Great news though.

 

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tritecommentbot replied to AWP | 7 years ago
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AWP wrote:

New sensors?

What about existing power meters that are only ANT+. They must have a solution for that in the pipeline?

Great news though.

 

 

Dongle would solve all this. Used to be decent ANT+ dongles for the iPhone 5 and below. Don't think I've seen an update recently though, oddly. May need a dongle and an adapter and pray for compatibility and stability as it stands right now.

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Yorkshire wallet | 7 years ago
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Android tablet and phones please. Bkool works on Android with a OTG cable and ANT+ stick.

 

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tritecommentbot | 7 years ago
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Cool! Would need to buy new sensors though for it as the Garmins are only ANT+.

 

Need a way to rig a spin bike to work with Zwift too. On my todo list. Had a go before with a speed sensor but wasn't robust enough. Cadence is easy of course, and power would be ideal, but that's pricey. 

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