ANT+ Plugins Service - Wireless communication for fitness

ANT+ Plugins Service is a wireless protocol akin to Bluetooth®, tailored mainly for sport and fitness wireless connectivity. Pre-loaded by your phone manufacturer, this service facilitates the linkage of ANT+ devices with apps on your device. ANT Wireless operates under Garmin Canada Inc.

About ANT+

ANT Defined

ANT is a proven protocol and silicon solution for ultra-low power (ULP) practical wireless networking applications.

WHO WE ARE

ANT/ANT+ are managed by ANT Wireless, a division of Garmin Canada Inc. The ANT+ Alliance is  a group of companies who have adopted the ANT+ promise of interoperability. The Alliance ensures standardized communications through optimized brand value and partnerships with other top tier products.

Garmin Canada is based in Alberta, Canada, and is a world innovator in the development of  sensor and wireless products and technology.

WHAT IS ANT+

ANT+ facilitates interoperability between ANT+ Alliance member devices and the collection, automatic transfer and tracking of sensor data. Built on the base ANT protocol, ANT+ defines device profiles that specify data formats, channel parameters and network keys.

Careers

As part of the Connectivity Team at Garmin, we offer a progressive and innovative work environment where employees can launch their ideas and createcutting-edge products. See current job openings.

Use Cases (Sport & fitness, health & wellness, asset management)

Sport & Fitness

The relationship of a receiver to a transmitter is ad-hoc and therefore the receivers can go in and out of connection without affecting other receivers.

Running: HR sensor sending data to watch (display) + smartphone (display) + coach

Cycling: HR, speed&cadence sending data to watch (display) + smartphone (display) + cycle computer (display) + coach

In the gym: HR sensor sending data to watch (display) + fitness machine (display) + main class monitor coach (display)

Health and Wellness

The relationship of a receiver to a transmitter is ad-hoc and therefore the receivers can go in and out of connection without affecting other receivers.

Medical sensor: sensor sending data to watch (display) + smartphone (display) + home health hub + doctor @clinic

Point of Information – Inventory Information

Product information tags broadcast to multiple readers

Multiple readers can access information simultaneously

Multiple readers can interact (they have a two way data interaction) with product information tag concurrently

Museum/public attraction information tags collecting details of visitors while sending description detail of the exhibit

Point of purchase tags working with smart phone app and capturing shopper feedback and demographics while advertising.

Warehouse location tags communication position to WAN connected readers

ANT+ compatible apps can leverage this service to establish connections with:

• Heart Rate: Acquire real-time heart rate data from various heart rate straps or wearables produced by leading manufacturers

• Fitness Equipment: Link up ANT+ compatible fitness equipment and bicycle trainers with popular training and workout apps

• Bike Speed and Cadence: Record bike speed, distance, and/or cadence data

• Bike Power: Gather data from ANT+ cycling power meters like Garmin Vector

• Stride-based Speed and Distance Monitor: Capture speed and distance statistics using running footpods

FAQs:

How did ANT+ Plugins Service get installed on my phone, and is it spyware?

This service is standard software included by your phone manufacturer and not illicitly downloaded, nor is it spyware. It will not cause system glitches or intrusive pop-up ads. It does not consist of bloatware and typically occupies a maximum of 20 MB of space. For instance, on a 16GB phone, this service utilizes only 0.0013% of space. There is no monetary transaction involved with phone manufacturers for the pre-installation of this service.

How can I uninstall this service?

Since this is standard software, it cannot be removed from your device. However, you can disable it by following the manufacturer's guidelines. The conventional process involves navigating through: settings > applications > application manager > appropriate app > force stop > disable

Disabling this service does not impact your device's software. If the need arises in the future to connect to services and devices via ANT+, simply re-enable the service.

NOTE: Being a factory-installed service, it may activate/re-download if you reset and/or update your phone. Stay calm! Just go through the instructions to disable it again.

Does this service track me unknowingly?

No. The ANT Radio Service and ANT+ Plugins Service apps provide a wireless connectivity service akin to Bluetooth or WiFi but consume very little power. No personal data is collected by these services.

Is it challenging to develop an app with ANT+ capabilities, and is there a charge?

Integrating ANT+ plugins into your app for communication with ANT+ devices is fast, straightforward, free, and employs a simple API. Check out the ANT Android Developer page for further details and to download the SDK.