The Communicator Plugin has two major components that the developer must be aware of:
- Communicator Plugin installed into the client browser by the end user
- Communicator Plugin Javascript API provided by the server that controls the browser plugin
The Communicator Plugin itself is written using proprietary source that handles proprietary communications with Garmin GPS devices. You must unlock the plugin in order to control it from your website. The unlock key requires that you agree to the Garmin API License Agreement. You should read the license, but the major requirements are highlighted here:
- Acknowledge Garmin on your website for providing the plugin
- Do not use the plugin to communicate with non-Garmin hardware
The Javascript API is provided to handle a lot of the common features that most developers will want to use on their website. This Javascript API is provided as open source under the Apache License, Version 2.0 so developers can be empowered to make the Plugin work the best for their website without being hindered by modification restrictions, etc. Since most developers will be using the Javascript API to communicate with the Plugin then the developer will subsequently be restricted by the Garmin API License agreement as explained above. The Javascript API source code is available from our Subversion repository.
We encourage developers to submit their enhancements to Garmin Developer to help the community. Contact Developer.Connect@garmin.com for more details about how you can help.