Can someone explaing to me why the entire Mac-nation has been summarily excluded from the Polar HRM world? Polar USA provides this FABULOUS reponse to the question:
Well, can't they just design some compatible software? Is it just prohibitively expensive? I mean, I'm not asking them to develop software for my Commodore 64 here. Anyone else perturbed by this? Any Polar techs or computer people out there that might be able to clarify this for me?
-ck
Polar heart rate monitors are not compatible with Macintosh computers. Windows emulating software, such as Virtual PC, can be used to run the software program. However, this will not provide the necessary support for external devices. As a result, it is not possible to use the Polar IR Interface for transferring data between monitor and software. For the same reason, it is not possible to use the IR interface for USB port on Macintosh computers.
The internal interface in Macintosh computers can also not be used, as it uses IrDA protocol in communication and Polar uses it's own protocol in the S610/S710/S810 monitors. Although emulating software can emulate Win95, it is not possible to switch from IrDA to 'direct IR' in Macs, which is required when using the computers internal infrared.
In summary, Polar Precision Performance 3.0 software has been designed for compatibility with Windows based operating systems only. Those with Macintosh computers should be made aware that emulating software will not resolve this incompatibility, due to either an incompatible internal IR interface or the fact that emulating software can only emulate basic devices, i.e. keyboard, mouse, etc, and not the Polar IR Interfaces.
The internal interface in Macintosh computers can also not be used, as it uses IrDA protocol in communication and Polar uses it's own protocol in the S610/S710/S810 monitors. Although emulating software can emulate Win95, it is not possible to switch from IrDA to 'direct IR' in Macs, which is required when using the computers internal infrared.
In summary, Polar Precision Performance 3.0 software has been designed for compatibility with Windows based operating systems only. Those with Macintosh computers should be made aware that emulating software will not resolve this incompatibility, due to either an incompatible internal IR interface or the fact that emulating software can only emulate basic devices, i.e. keyboard, mouse, etc, and not the Polar IR Interfaces.
Well, can't they just design some compatible software? Is it just prohibitively expensive? I mean, I'm not asking them to develop software for my Commodore 64 here. Anyone else perturbed by this? Any Polar techs or computer people out there that might be able to clarify this for me?
-ck