Apple watch 3, AirPods,Iphone 8 and Nike Run Club

103tech:

I use NRC with AW2, iPhone 7 and AirPods and see a similar behavior though I don't associate it with the use of AirPods. The same problem occurs when I use a pair of old JayBird bluetooth headphones. I instead associate this problem with either a watchOS or NRC software update circa november 2017. Before that, the automatic launch of AW NRC when a run is started on the iPhone was prompt and reliable. NRC support confirms the problem but didn't offer a solution.

My work around is to launch (for ~30 seconds) then cancel NRC on the AW2 once at some point before my run. It loads and links to iPhone NRC rather slowly or not at all the first time of the day. After that, it works mostly reliably, but isn't 100% solid. Also note multiple failure variations. It may simply launch on the AW display late, for example 5 minutes after the run has started. Or AW NRC might launch but display only after a swipe left or right on the AW.

I launch on the iPhone in order to get elevation data from the phone and HR data from the watch, given the AW2 only mode doesn't give elevation. Why do you launch NRC on the iPhone, given you have a AW2?

Right! The AW NRC app won’t automatically start either a local or iPhone playlists.

Now that you mention the bluetooth angle again, I tried a small bit of "voodoo" that may or may not have had an effect of the problem. I had many (more than 10) mostly unused bluetooth items in the "My devices" list on the iPhone. Since the problem seemed like the AW NRC app was having trouble communicating with the iPhone NRC app, I cleaned up the list. I deleted everything (except the AW) and re-paired only the items I still use (three items).

Most of the time the AW NRC app loads in under a second.

Do you ever see the slow loading/start up of AW NRC app on your AW3? That’s the NRC symbol with circling dots animation. Or lime colored dot with a circle radiating out animation. I think this is the communication indicator and the hint that the app is having problems.

While I'm still inside preparing for my run, I have my AirPods in (and connected to the iPhone), and the iPhone nearby (the iPhone NRC app may or may not be launched already), I launch the AW NRC app. On the first try of the day, it often hiccups. That is, it takes longer than it should to launch and connect to the iPhone NRC app. I then press start on the AW NRC app and let it run for roughly 30 seconds, making sure to see the HR displayed. I stop the run, then close the app from the tray on the AW. Optionally you can launch again to see that it load and connects in less than a 1 second. That's basically the work around.

Now fast forward to the starting line. I press start on the iPhone NRC app, watch the 3 second count down start, zip my waist belt with the phone inside and start running. I immediately hear my warmup music stop and my running playlist begin. After running for roughly twenty seconds, I lift my wrist, often the AW NRC has launched and has started displaying the run. Sometimes it has launched but shows only the start screen. If I swipe left or right on the Start screen, it often wakes up the running screen immediately. [Even if it appears to start late, it still has still sent the HR data to the app on the iPhone.]

If after a few minutes of running I see only the now playing music screen, then it likely didn't work. While running, I've even found the AW NRC app in the tray and quit the app. It sometimes automatically re-launches and starts displaying the run.

Did my work around (NRC AW app start, run for >20 seconds, then close) work for you? This works more than 95% of the time for me, but the display on AW may still start a few minutes late (run data is collected from the start) or it might require that I swipe left or right on the AW to begin the run display.

|| However I do notice that NRC will launch sometimes on my AW3 when I start a run but will stay stuck at the start screen.

Try swiping left or right on the AW. Even close the AW NRC app. It might restart and start displaying the run.

|| I think part of the problem is that with every new series of AW it supports more sensors and Nikes app is still built around previous generations.

I think this feature is a bit more complex than features in most AW apps. Most AW apps just query data and make calculations locally, with no need to co-ordinate with anther App on the phone in realtime. Notice Apple doesn't make a running App for your phone.

|| I wonder if NRC on the AW3 can utilize the altimeter.

Yes. On runs using your AW3 only, you should see elevation data on Nike.com. That's why this auto start on AW feature is key for AW2 owners.

|| I may try to use the built in workout app on AW for a run and see if it is any better.

I like the NRC app a lot. I especially like the guided runs. But you're right, Nike will need to add features to keep up. For example, watchOS 5 adds cadence features which would be great. Now I just select high BPM songs for my playlist to keep cadence. The free App business is tough. 😁