Here at Interbike, Garmin has announced updates for the Edge 520, Edge 820, Edge 1000, and the Forerunner 735XT. A few elements of the updates caught our attention:
New LiveTrack Auto Start: a new auto start feature on Garmin Connect Mobile for LiveTrack and GroupTrack will allow riders to more easily use these features without ever needing to pull out their smartphones at the start of their ride. What does this mean for us? Just start riding and your friends and family can immediately track where you are, watching your back and helping to ensure you get home safely.
Strava Beacon: If you’re a Strava Premium member, you’ll be able to use the Beacon, Strava’s newest safety feature, together with automatic Garmin LiveTrack sessions. The Beacon will allow you to share your location information on a map in real-time with up to three contacts, again, helping your friends and family know where you are—whether you’re simply running a little behind, or if you’re in trouble on the side of the road.
Shimano Di2: Garmin and Shimano are working together to integrate support between Garmin’s Edge devices and Shimano’s Di2 electronic shifting systems. According to Garmin, they will be extending Edge support for Di2 Dura-Ace top buttons to control your ANT+ lights, including the VariaTM, through their Di2 systems.
We’re looking forward to learning more and seeing some of these new features in action. Garmin is demoing these updates on the Interbike floor, so check back soon for full details.
Could you please confirm if grouptrack is coming to 735XT or atleast in Edge 520? This is the new feature onthe 820 that I am really excited about.
Hi Ralph – unfortunately no news on that front. Took us a while to get that answer (and the answer was “no news”)