MotoActv: MotoCast

If you follow my post on the initial setup of MotoActv sport watch, this is the follow up post on setting up MotoCast software that enables sync of training data, music and WiFi setting. MotoCast is also required for MotoActv.com profile setup. Read it, the ".com" prefix indicates that it's to setup an online user/trainee profile at MotoActv.com, not the MotoActv personal profile I covered in the previous post. The last thing that I reckon is the most important use of MotoCast - the firmware upgrade, which I will cover a little more details in this post.

If it sounds like a long and complex process, worry not. Motorola did a good job making sure the entire installation process is seamless and plug and play. Just plug MotoActv onto the PC (make sure it's connected to internet) using the supplied micro USB cable...

If you have "Autoplay" feature disabled explicitly, the installer might not open automatically. Open My Computer, you should see 2 new drives...

Mine are drive I and J. Double click on the drive with red Motorola icon (drive I), double click MotoCastSetup.exe...

After this, it's a straightforward process. You just have to follow the onscreen instruction. Once the installation is complete, you will be asked to register a MotoActv.com ID or called MotoCast ID, or sign in if you already have one. Most likely you already have the ID if you are using recent Motorola Android phone that comes with MotoBlur... 

What I experienced was MotoActv.com ID = MotoCast ID = MotoBlur ID. Try sign in using the MotoBlur ID if you want to have a single ID, you can always register a new one. Take note that you will need to factory reset the watch to change to another ID once the data is sync-ed over. Follow the onscreen instruction or the user manual to complete the profile follow by the wireless setup.

On music, you can use MotoCast to sync with the iTunes 8 (and above) or Windows Media Player 11 (and above). I would rather copy manually the MP3 files to the watch.

Now come to the main course. MotoCast should automatically check for new firmware every time the MotoActv is connected to the PC...

The watch will be rebooted throughout the update process. There might be multiple updates one follows another, you just have to leave it to MotoCast to do the job until you see this prompt...

Now everything is properly setup - your MotoActv.com profile is created and linked to the watch (try logon to www.motoactv.com), the watch has been setup to sync fitness data wirelessly and the firmware is updated. Unless you sync your music collection frequently, I don't see a need to connect the watch to the PC. In addition, the new firmware also supports new WiFi connection to be added via the watch without the use of PC/MotoCast. What's more you will be notified when there is a new firmware upgrade...

Next, you should be getting yourself ready for a sprint with the watch!

p/s: You can check out my other MotoActv related posts here.