Strava Revamps Route Discovery With Smarter Search and Offline Maps
Strava adds smarter route search, expanded routes, redesigned cards and offline maps, with more features planned.
The company said users can go to the Maps tab and search for route names or points of interest for runs, walks, hikes or rides. The search function accepts places in users' own words, with results matched to intent, according to the report. Strava has also expanded and better curated its route inventory so users have more options before leaving home.
Route cards have been redesigned to let users assess routes with photos and activity data from Strava users. The company said this is meant to help users compare which route to take.
Offline maps are part of the rollout. When users do not have a signal, saved routes appear on the home screen, and users can start and save a workout in Offline Mode. A finished activity will upload once service is restored, Strava said.
Subscribers will soon get turn-by-turn audio directions for walks, hikes and runs, Strava said. The company also plans to expand route details with community-generated tags and descriptions that highlight points of interest along the way. Route discovery will come to the web as well, allowing users to browse routes and explore maps from browsers.
The route update follows Strava's announcement last week that it was expanding strength training features with coach-designed guided workouts and live set and rep tracking, according to 9to5Mac.
Strava said the new route features are rolling out today. The audio directions and web route discovery are planned additions; the report did not give a more specific timeline.