Forums >Gears and Wears>Doesn't Google Chrome work here anymore?
To my surprise when I tried to download my run today that was recorded on my Garmin Forerunner while using my Google Chrome I received this message:
GPS import currently supports the Garmin Forerunner GPS only and requires the Garmin Communicator Plugin.
You need to install the Garmin Communicator Plugin before you can use your Forerunner with RunningAHEAD.
Chrome no longer supports the Garmin Communicator. You need to use another browser to import your workouts
Say what? I can use my Internet Explorer but I prefer my Google browser.
#RunEveryDay
I use Google Chrome. When that came up today, I had to manually upload. What a hassle!
Half Fanatic #9292.
Game Admin for RA Running Game 2023.
an amazing likeness
It's not RA, it's Chrome. Google is ending support for browser plugins, so the Garmin Communicator plugin RA needs to use to read the GPS data is no longer running under Chrome.
This end-of-life for plugins is why Garmin is forcing everyone to Garmin Express.
Google's published timeline for this end-of-support for plugins:
January 2015
Currently Chrome supports NPAPI plugins, but they are blocked by default unless the user chooses to allow them for specific sites (via the page action UI). A small number of the most popular plugins are whitelisted and allowed by default. In January 2015 we will remove the whitelist, meaning all plugins will be blocked by default. Even though users will be able to let NPAPI plug-ins run by default in January, we encourage developers to migrate of off NPAPI as soon as possible. Support for NPAPI will be completely removed from Chrome by September 2015.
April 2015
In April 2015 (Chrome 42) NPAPI support will be disabled by default in Chrome and we will unpublish extensions requiring NPAPI plugins from the Chrome Web Store. All NPAPI plugins will appear as if they are not installed, as they will not appear in the navigator.plugins list nor will they be instantiated (even as a placeholder). Although plugin vendors are working hard to move to alternate technologies, a small number of users still rely on plugins that haven’t completed the transition yet. We will provide an override for advanced users (via chrome://flags/#enable-npapi) and enterprises (via Enterprise Policy) to temporarily re-enable NPAPI (via the page action UI) while they wait for mission-critical plugins to make the transition. In addition, setting any of the plugin Enterprise policies (e.g. EnabledPlugins, PluginsAllowedForUrls) will temporarily re-enable NPAPI.
September 2015
Acceptable at a dance, invaluable in a shipwreck.
So, MT, how do I get Garmin Express? I thought I had it for my FR10, but I guess I don't.
I've been uploading with IE for the time being.
I've just been connecting via USB & loading directly from the watch.
Dave
I don't think the 610 has that option. I may have to download from Garmin and upload here once IE stops working.
Garmin Express won't work with Running Ahead. I had the same issue with Chrome today with Garmin Communicator. The only option is to use Internet Explorer and Safari. Eventually, I expect support for those browsers will be phased out as well. Hopefully, a solution for RA is found soon.
"Any idiot can run a marathon. It takes a special kind of idiot to run an ultramarathon." - Alan Cabelly
Eric (who owns and runs this site) has been developing a solution for RA that uses the Garmin API to access data via Garmin Express. Garmin is requiring he pay $5000 and agree to a fairly one sided agreement for the API's use. Eric will need to determine whether RA can pay the $5000 and become a party to the agreement.
To no surprise Map My Run has the same problem too.
Home from Iraq 2005
You can use Firefox as well.
5k: -- 26:12 (12/17/2016)
10k: 58:36 (6/14/2016)
Half: 2:08:23 (7/4/2015)
Longest: 15.03 (5/31/2014)
Half Marathon Bucket List Goals: 15 of 50 states completed / 2 of 7 Continents completed.
Chromium works as well but, disappointing. I wish I'd gone in and set my Chrome installation to NOT autoupdate.
After all this time I'm still stuck with using Internet Explorer, I miss the old software here.
This is 100% on you, not RA.
1. The browser companies have clearly communicated they are ending their support for browser plug-ins (NPAPI).
2. Due to #1, Garmin has clearly communicated that it is retiring the legacy browser plug-in called Garmin Communicator used to pull data out of Garmin GPS devices. The exact text on Garmin's web site is "Our new upload process requires Garmin Express or Garmin Connect Mobile. These applications sync your activities whenever your device is connected."
Add these two together and that means if you are trying to upload runs using the old Garmin Communicator plug-in in Chrome, Firefox or IE -- you are choosing to use technology which is at end of life.
3. The developer of RunningAHEAD.com has invested the time, $ and work to support the new technology of Garmin Express or Garmin Connect Mobile. Use it.
This could turn into my excuse to buy a new computer. My Macbook is so old that I can not upgrade it to the point where it will support Garmin Express. So I am stuck with the communicator plug-in until I buy a new computer. It is running like crap these days, so I don't think it will be too far into the future anyway.
This is 100% on you, not RA. 1. The browser companies have clearly communicated they are ending their support for browser plug-ins (NPAPI). 2. Due to #1, Garmin has clearly communicated that it is retiring the legacy browser plug-in called Garmin Communicator used to pull data out of Garmin GPS devices. The exact text on Garmin's web site is "Our new upload process requires Garmin Express or Garmin Connect Mobile. These applications sync your activities whenever your device is connected." Add these two together and that means if you are trying to upload runs using the old Garmin Communicator in Chrome, Firefox or IE -- you are choosing to use technology which at end of life. 3. The developer of RunningAHEAD.com has invested the time, $ and work to support the new technology of Garmin Express or Garmin Connect Mobile. Use it.
Add these two together and that means if you are trying to upload runs using the old Garmin Communicator in Chrome, Firefox or IE -- you are choosing to use technology which at end of life.
We are the music makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams,
Wandering by lone sea-breakers,
And sitting by desolate streams;
World-losers and world-forsakers,
On whom the pale moon gleams:
Yet we are the movers and shakers
Of the world for ever, it seems.