BREAKING: THE STRAVA FILES & SHARE AURA > On August 22nd, Strava emailed @zachpogrob to add a Strava watermark to all shares from Share Aura, 10 days after they launched, or they would cap new users permanently. > Zach says NO and removes Strava as a new integration to Share Aura after 10,000 Strava connects in 4 days > On July 1st, Garmin asks Strava to put their watermark on Strava data/shares, or lose API access on Nov 1st (not resolved yet) > Strava responds by suing Garmin on Sept 30 for patent infringement on heatmaps and segments as a retaliation against Garmin API/watermark demands. HERE IS THE MASSIVE STRAVA HYPOCRISY INVOLVING THE SHARE AURA APP @zachpogrob (a new personal running app- built around aesthetic/easier sharing) On October 2nd, Strava's Chief of Product posted on Reddit, that: > We consider this [Garmin’s watermark] blatant advertising. - Meanwhile, they are forcing their advertising onto 3rd party apps like Share Aura, blatantly. > We consider this [Garmin’s run data in Strava] to be your data - Meanwhile, Strava tightly guards user data and restricts third-party access to its API even when that data originates from wearables and is merely synced into Strava. LOOKING BACK: @zachpogrob launched the Share Aura beta in February using Strava’s API, two months before Strava copied Aura’s transparent sharing concept. THE DEEPER TRUTH (VERIFIED VIA ZACH): > 85% of Share Aura users were syncing from Strava through a Garmin watch or other wearable. The data was never tracked on Strava, only uploaded to Strava via third-party APIs. If Strava’s valuation depends on repackaging Garmin data through its own API and taking credit by requiring Strava branding despite Garmin being the original source, that directly contradicts Strava’s own statement on Reddit. And, how can Strava’s CPO claim that user data belongs to the customer, while simultaneously blocking those same customers from using the Share Aura app with Strava’s API? Unlike Garmin, which encourages third parties to build on its API and create apps that enhance the Garmin user experience. Strava is trying to monopolize the fitness ecosystem while providing limited value and blocking third-party success, while treating Garmin and other device data as its own. @zachpogrob is on a mission to build the next great running/tracking app on opposite principles. Focused on simplicity, personal use vs. social network, creativity/sharing vs. unnecessary data, and actually listening to what users want. Share Aura already syncs with Garmin, Coros, and Apple, and is launching in-app tracking next month. Since Strava tried to cap Aura's growth, the app 10x'd the userbase Welcome to the David vs Goliath of fitness apps Long Aura Short Strava