Sportsim Weblog

PR: Sportsim PC software goes Open Source

Sportsim has since 2003 been one of the software pioneers in developing solutions for people with GPS devices. The Sportsim software has been downloaded and installed many thousands of times and has a large user group.  After a modification it now goes Open Source on Sourceforge.net under a new name: Comparetracks.

We at Sportsim are very happy to open source this software as it has been a theme here since we started the development back in 2003.  Now it is not only totally free as in "beer" to use, but if you're a developer you can introduce your own solutions!
We encourage especially all of the old users to upgrade, as some of the older services will not work and you miss out on the new ones.
Upgrade at Comparetraks own site. 

Recap Lance in New York

Cycling champion Lance Armstrong calls the ING New York City Marathon 2006 “the hardest physical thing I’ve ever done”, after he just finished the 3 hour marker and really felt tired after another long "ride".

Recap the endavours of Lance and almost 38,000 finishers! in the Sportsim simulation delivered exclusively for the ING New York Marathon here.

PR - Sportsim supports the Course Simulation

Oslo, Oct 10th, 2006. Sportsim, an innovator in transforming timing and GPS technology into usable performance information, is providing course simulation for the ING New York City Marathon 2006 in partnership with the New York Road Runners.

Completing a marathon is a great achievement for any one who takes part and should be well recorded.  Course simulation enables participants to prepare and re-experience their marathon achievements.  By visiting the official event site for the ING NYC Marathon 2006 participants can view course simulations.  With a replay functionality visitors can load two or more participants on screen at once, press play and watch their progress dots race each other.

Participants can also use Sportsim software to analyze results from GPS receivers and better prepare for the next event.  GPS receivers log geographical positions and performance values that enable Sportsim users to share results and make comparisons. The capabilities afforded by Sportsim’s software solutions are expected to be invaluable to active people by live monitoring and performance analysis.

Sportsim’s vision is to provide a global space in which performance data and insight can be exchanged easily.  The ING NYC Marathon 2006 is one of the greatest marathon events in the world. Sportsim is proud to be a part of this event for the 4^th consecutive year. 

About Sportsim
Founded in 2001, Sportsim is headquartered in Oslo, Norway.  Sportsim has developed and delivered graphical result services to high profile events since 2001.
More information is available at www.sportsim.com.

Apple takes the mobile/GPS plunge

The coming iPhone from Apple has been a known word on the streets.  In addition to music and cell phone features it will also (of course!) include a GPS functionality.  Read more about the newly filed patent at ZDNet.

Live tracking of 150 yachts

Today at 17.00 CET starts The Watski Skagerrak Two Star 2006 regatta in Skagerrak from June 14th-17th.  Skagerrak is the sea between Norway, Sweden, and Denmark and this could very well become the largest live tracked regatta this year.

The race is a doublehanded-regatta where the yachts are manned with 2 sailors. A GPS tracking unit is placed on each boat and communicate geographical positions through the wireless network.  History, current position, and estimated progress - can then be viewed on the web through a Google Maps Mash-up already mentioned in the Google Maps Mania blog.   The live tracking system is earlier tested with success on 50 yachts only two weeks ago in The Frydenbo Doublehanded regatta.

As this is a live race it can be followed live on the Internet, but the tracks are posted as files for post-race analysis in the free software's from Sportsim and Google Earth.

This regatta with approx. 150 tracked boats and high traffic peaks will put the live system to the test.

The system is developed by Guard Systems ASA with Sportsim development assistance.

Are you a passionate developer?

Sportsim is in a process of developing new wireless services for GPS.

Team Sportsim is during this summer in search for passionate people with relevant software development experience.

- does something below appear familiar?

• Ajax supported web applications?
• Server side systems designed for high traffic load?
• Mobile midlets?
• Windows Mobile 5 applications?

The Benefits:
Sportsim is flexible on working location, and if you are close or in the Oslo area? you can access our new powerhouse downtown Oslo with several office spots.

Salary:
Yes, we pay, but if you're looking for high salaries? - then Sportsim will not be the company for you.

- passion for cool wireless services and being outdoor active are key elements.

This is the perfect time to take part in our growth, don't be a stranger ranger!

contact us on our general e-mail or call us.

Cheers,

Gjermund

Team Sportsim

GPS in Orienteering

This weekend will the orienteering club in Kongsberg, Norway, organize Pinseløpet 2006, an orienteering event with approx 900 participants.  Some of the most avid beta testers of Sportsim is part of the club and are really pioneers when it comes to GPS and orienteering.  Comparing of GPS tracks makes this sport even more spectacular to perform and view.

Sportsim has in it's new software development taken care of some special requirements for the orienteering sport as we view this sport interesting in the general development. Orienteering challenges important areas for making custom maps available and design complicated event structures with many courses and classes.

This weekend has the club decided to introduce the new Sportsim beta to the GPS participants, and we do expect some bug feedback...

New live tracking system for yacht races

Frydenbo Doublehanded is a 4-day regatta that starts today.

50 sailing boats are lived tracked with a new developed system at the west coast of Norway. This is a new way for spectators to follow the yachts live. Go to the live link, but also view how they split up on the left screen shot as a result of different sailing strategies.

Guard Systems ASA has brought in Sportsim consultants and together developed a new and cool live tracking system targeted at regattas. The race can be followed through a simple web interface that applies Google Maps API.

Spectators can also follow a link to Google Earth for the 3D fly-through experience.

Yes, we know there have been other Google Maps mashups for yacht races (e.g. Volvo Ocean Race), but never this organized for a local regatta!

As an extra value for the racers can .gpx track files be downloaded from the web and imported in Sportsim for post-race analysis.

Guard Systems ASA has developed their own GPS enabled trackers that apply the local wireless network for server communication. The company is a leading Norwegian company on asset tracking.

Good luck with the launch guys!

cheers,
Team Sportsim

Update on Friday, June 2nd:
This race is now finished, but there will be an even larger live yacht tracking (approx. 200 boats, The Watski Skagerrak TwoStar 2006) in a couple of weeks.

Find a BUG - Win a GPS

Are you a bug hunter? Do you feel lucky?

Find it out! we encourage you to test the new beta, and give us feedback on bugs so you can join the Garmin Forerunner 305 raffle.

Give feedback and find more information here

Download the beta here

New GPS Chip Set Technology

Athletes are in for a ball as more energy is directed to develop new and better GPS Chip Set Architecture to reduce power consumption and body size.  Rakon from New Zealand has now announced the smallest ever GPS chip set (Thanks to Engadget).

It appear to be somewhat smaller in size than the successful SiRFstarIII (10mm x 7mm x 1,4mm) chip set.  We do however lack any performance values for the new Rakon GPS, but we may have some during this year as new products could be launched.

gpsOne from cellular technology provider Qualcomm Inc. is an older, but also a very interesting development.

Moore's Law is at the moment valid for GPS Chip Sets, and combined with improved power technology and antenna architecture will GPS devices soon be almost as common as your pair of running snickers!  What's next?