Firmware update 1.2.0

So, what’s new?

Before we get there, we have one last tangent. I promise this one is quick. 😬

Bluetooth is a complicated protocol that can handle a lot of different things – from smart lightbulbs, keyboards, and COVID tests, all the way to heart-rate monitors and treadmills.

To do that, Bluetooth tells us that we need to broadcast data using special “services”. That way, it makes things a lot easier to discover, because you don’t find “smart toothbrush” when you are looking for “heart rate monitor”.

Okay, so… Back to our DATA chip, and why we’re so excited about this update!

Heart rate data

The one thing that was missing from the “services” that the DATA chips broadcasts, was heart rate data.

The DATA chip’s firmware update (revision 3.1.2) adds a new heart rate monitor service to the broadcast list! This means the treadmill can now be seen as a heart rate monitor called “NoblePro Connect”.

Now, let me be clear – we were already sending heart-rate data before this update, but only as part of a service called FTMS, which was a specific service designed for fitness machines like rowers, bikes, and treadmills. This is not something that most apps scan for.

Apps like Strava & Peloton would only read data if it found it in the “heart rate monitor” service.

What this means is that with this software update, our treadmills are now fully compatible with apps like Peloton, Strava, and many more that rely on heart rate data alone to do their jobs.

Run Speed and Cadence data

This update also brings in a Run Speed and Cadence service (foot pods use this service), but it is still a work in progress. We are planning on releasing an update that brings this feature into the lime-light in the future. For now, this is just a placeholder that displays the correct speed – but no cadence data.

Comparison chart

Here are the Bluetooth services that the DATA chip broadcasts. On the left is the list before this update, and on the right, the list after flashing the new firmware.

How to flash the firmware to *both* chips

Firmware is not a normal software update, and it will take a few extra steps. Please be patient, and follow these steps exactly. If you have any questions or issues, please get in touch with us, and we will help you.

Step 1

First, you need to get the latest version of the Firmware update app (iOS, Android), at the time of publishing this it is version 1.2.0.

Open it up, and tap the button that says “Download latest firmware” to download the latest firmware files to your device.

Step 2

Turn your treadmill off, and then on again.

This is just to make sure that the chips are not connected to other devices.

Step 3

Using the Firmware update app, scan for Bluetooth devices and look for two specific devices in the list. You should see:

• One called NoblePro Connect – this is the DATA chip.
• Another called HR-xxxx where the x’s are numbers, so, for example: “HR-8765” – this is the HRM chip.

Step 4

Tap on the HRM chip in the list to connect to it.

Then, switch tabs, and tap the firmware file called “noblepro-hrm-v2.ufw” to select it.

Tap the “Flash new firmware” button.

This will flash the HRM chip, and could take a few minutes.

Step 5

Still in the Firmware update app, switch tabs back to the device list and tap on the DATA chip to connect to it.

Then, switch back to the firmware list, and tap the file called “noblepro-connect-v3-latest.ufw” to select it.

Tap the “Flash new firmware” button.

This will flash the DATA chip, and could take a few minutes.

Step 6

Please reboot both:

1. Your phone / tablet
2. The treadmill

This is very important! ⚠️ Like I mentioned, firmware is not just a normal software update, and requires a reboot of both devices afterwards.

Step 7

All done!