AppFAQ:v2.0.1030
make sure you've updated to the most recent version!
How do I get the app for my iPhone? Go to the App Store and download it by following this link: bit.ly/racemates Make sure your friends and family have the app as well. If they have iPhones, they can simply go to the App Store on their phone, and search for 'RaceMate' How do I get the app for my Android smartphone? Visit to the Android Marketplace on your handset, search for 'RaceMate', then simply download and install the app. Does the runner need to buy/run the app? or just the spectator? for the most accurate tracking, BOTH the runner and the supporter need to purchase the app, have it installed and running on their preferred smartphone, for all connection, tracking, and data functions to perform properly. What if my runner doesn't want to carry a phone? Can I still track him/her if I have the app installed? Yes! As a spectator, install the app on your smartphone. Tap on 'friends', and have your runner enter in their registration data (name, bib#). Also have them configure their goal pace in Settings. Once that's done, during race-day, tap on the 'news' button in the tab bar. Tap 'LiveTrack'. Enter your runner's bib number and tap 'Go!'. You will see their latest split time, a link to their location on a map, and additional stats such as actual pace, estimated finish time, and projected ETA. How many runners can I track at once? The basic app allows you to GPS track a single runner or supporter. You may upgrade your app at any time to the Pro version for $2.99, which enables simultaneous tracking & mapping of up to 16 runners and/or supporters. How do I add fellow racemates and supporters to my friends list? First, you need to register with RaceMate. The registration screen should pop-up as soon as you tap the 'Friends' tab. Enter your real name, your e-mail address, and if you are running, your bib number. Once you've done all that:
How can I listen to music while I am running the RaceMate app?
How long will the battery last on raceday? This depends on both the age of your phone, the starting condition of the battery, and your usage of the phone during race-time. Please read our Power Optimization Strategies for race-day. A brand new phone will deliver roughly 4 hours of broadcast time. You may also opt to purchase an external battery pack for your phone, which can effectively double the uptime of your device. We highly recommend that you do a long training run with the app running to get a feel for your device's specific performance. If you opt not to use an external battery booster, you may wish to only use the app for the first half or the last half of the marathon. We've compiled a list of hard-won Power Optimization Strategies for you to follow in order to maximize the battery life of your smartphone on raceday. Whats the best strategy for power management? There are two primary strategies for power management:
BONUS: One creative supporter / runner couple decided to install the app on two phones, and perform a mid-race 'phone swap' at mile 16 (the supporter keeps the fully charged phone in her pack and hands it to the runner) For more info on power management, read our Power Optimization Strategies. Will my iPhone still broadcast my location when my phone goes to sleep / when I hit the 'sleep' button / when my phone Auto-Locks? Yes! The ability for your phone to broadcast while in sleep mode is the primary feature incorporated into the v2.1 upgrade. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE UPGRADED TO VERSION v2.1, which was just released to the App Store on Saturday, October 30! To confirm you have this version, tap on the 'Settings' tab, scroll to the bottom of the page, and look at the version. If it says either 1.0 or 2.0, you need to upgrade immediately. :) Will my phone still broadcast GPS while it is in my pocket / pouch / holster / backpack? YES. In general, only cement or heavy metal can block a GPS signal... for instance, if you are in a parking garage, elevator, or tunnel... for outdoor/road running, the GPS signal will function fine through fabric, plastic, clothing, backpacks, etc. The standard strategy for a runner is to start the app just prior to the race, hit the 'lock' button at the top of the phone, place it in their pocket/pouch, and run. Whose e-mail address do I need to register? Mine or my runners? Both the supporter and the runner need to register separately in order to enable all features of RaceMate. So, use your e-mail address on your device. And your runner uses their email address on their device. Can I use my BlackBerry phone to track my runner? Yes. Aim your blackberry web browser at http://b.racemate.net. On raceday, there will be a basic tracking interface there. For the full RaceMate experience including real time geo-plotting, you and your runner will need to install RaceMate on a qualified smartphone. Can I track runners if I don't have a smartphone? No (with certain exceptions). In order to track runners, you will need an iPhone (3G, 3gs, or 4) or an Android phone (v1.6 Donut or higher) with the RaceMate app installed. Can I use the app on an iPod Touch? Yes, as long as you have an active WiFi connection. If you are a runner, you need a qualified smartphone to actively transmit your location to your supporters. If you are a supporter, and you are in range of an active WiFi hub, then you can track runners with your iPod Touch using the RaceMate app just as a smartphone user would. Can I use the app on an iPad? YES! We are in early beta of a 'Command and Control' version of the app specifically designed for the massive screen real estate and form factor of the iPad. If you are interested in testing this and supplying us feedback, please contact hello@mobomo.com I am a runner. How can I optimally use RaceMate?
I am a supporter. How do I track my runner(s)?
What version of Android do I need in order to run RaceMate? In order to run RaceMate on an Android smartphone, you will need Android OS 1.6 Donut or higher. Can I track a runner who has RaceMate installed and I don't? BOTH the runner and the supporter need to purchase the app, have it installed and running on their smartphone. Does RaceMate send automated posts to my Twitter and Facebook accounts? No. The facebook and twitter posting functions allow you to a) configure your accounts for auto-login, and b) manually type and edit status updates to facebook and twitter from within the app. These functions are available in the 'Settings' tab. Configurable automated status update posting may be included in future versions of the app. :) How do I change my role from Runner to Supporter? In the app, navigate to Settings > My Profile, and tap of the MCM Bib# field. Delete the existing value, tap 'DONE' on the keypad, then tap the Save button at lower right. Removing your Bib# will automatically change your role to supporter. How do I change my role from Supporter to Runner? To change your status to Runner, simply add a bib number to your profile. You can do this at registration, or alternatively, you can do it later by navigating to Settings > My Profile, entering an MCM Bib#, and tapping the Save button. Your status will then be changed to Runner. Is RaceMate only for the Marine Corps Marathon, or do you have expectations to include other Marathons in the future? The Marine Corps Marathon is the inaugural launch event for the RaceMate application. We plan to support many more races in the future. |