Apr 17
We really dig RunKeeper, the smart fitness app that keeps track of your jogs
Mar 13
Apple has applied for a patent for an improved wearable pedometer design, according to a new filing published by the USPTO today (via AppleInsider). The filing describes a way to vastly improve accuracy on wearable step counters, by determining where a user is wearing it and adjusting the way it analyzes movement as a result. The patent specifically details automatic detection of when it’s… Read More
Oct 13
Moves Activity Tracker App: A Standalone Activity Tracker that Really Works
Posted in: Today's ChiliI kind of like tracking all of my activities, especially since I tend to run alone so I need the motivation to stay on target. While apps like RunKeeper and others work well to track runs, a simple pedometer is something good to keep track of every single move you make in a day.
Moves is a simple app that works in the background of your phone’s OS. It will track your movements automatically. There’s no need for any external devices or plug-ins.
Unlike pedometers, or fitness tracker bands, the Moves app doesn’t require anything but a smartphone to make it work. The app will also track your movements in cars, motorcycles, and public transport. From time to time, it mislabels my movements on my motorcycle as cycling, but otherwise it’s been pretty awesome. Keep in mind that with Moves running in the background, it will consume some added battery, though its makers claim you can still get a full day of usage of your phone with the app enabled. Of course, your mileage may vary.
It can be quite motivating, at least in my experience, when you realize how much you can walk, run or cycle in a day. I’ve found that I want to beat my previous day’s movements almost every single day, or at least keep it at the same level.
There’s an iOS version that’s been around a bit longer, and the Android version was released just a few weeks ago. The best part is that it’s free.
Oct 13
I kind of like tracking all of my activities, especially since I tend to run alone so I need the motivation to stay on target. While apps like RunKeeper and others work well to track runs, a simple pedometer is something good to keep track of every single move you make in a day.
Moves is a simple app that works in the background of your phone’s OS. It will track your movements automatically. There’s no need for any external devices or plug-ins.
Unlike pedometers, or fitness tracker bands, the Moves app doesn’t require anything but a smartphone to make it work. The app will also track your movements in cars, motorcycles, and public transport. From time to time, it mislabels my movements on my motorcycle as cycling, but otherwise it’s been pretty awesome. Keep in mind that with Moves running in the background, it will consume some added battery, though its makers claim you can still get a full day of usage of your phone with the app enabled. Of course, your mileage may vary.
It can be quite motivating, at least in my experience, when you realize how much you can walk, run or cycle in a day. I’ve found that I want to beat my previous day’s movements almost every single day, or at least keep it at the same level.
There’s an iOS version that’s been around a bit longer, and the Android version was released just a few weeks ago. The best part is that it’s free.
Sep 05
Many people read while they’re using exercise machines, but we don’t envy them; it’s not easy to concentrate on a novel when running. Weartrons may help those athletic readers maintain their focus with its upcoming Run-n-Read peripheral. The clip-on device detects its wearer’s movements and compensates for them on a host Android or iOS device, keeping e-book text steady in the midst of a treadmill run. Owners can also tap the Run-n-Read to turn pages, and the gadget doubles as a pedometer in between reading sessions. Weartrons is starting a crowdfunding campaign for the Run-n-Read today, and is asking gym rats to pledge a nominal $55 to get a device of their own. If all goes smoothly, the company should deliver its first units no later than January.
Filed under: Wearables
Source: Weartrons, Dragon Innovation
Apr 22
Nike+ FuelBand app for iOS adds friends and sharing, no small amount of bragging
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Where’s the fun in owning an exercise tracker like the Nike+ FuelBand if you can’t lord your healthiness over others? Nike must have wondered the same thing, as it just updated the FuelBand’s iOS app to add Nike+ Friends. Wearers can now learn where their step count places them relative to their peers and share the results for all to see. Should there be any doubters, owners can attach photos, locations and mentions of nearby friends to back up their boasting. Yes, it’s an upgrade that’s primarily focused on oneupmanship, but it’s good in our book if it makes us walk just a bit further each day.
Filed under: Peripherals, Wearables
Source: App Store
Dec 06
Larklife fitness band jogs into retail stores, nags you about exercise and sleep patterns
Posted in: Today's Chili
Sure, your iPhone already keeps track of your work schedules, lunch meetings and Lego creations — isn’t it about time you let it tell you when to go to bed, too? It can, if you’re so inclined — at least when paired with a Larklife fitness band. This wearable pedometer peripheral tracks your activity, sleep patterns and diet with a companion app, nagging you with suggestions on how to eat, sleep and exercise. It’ll even gently buzz you awake with a vibrating alarm, should you try to shirk its suggestions. The $149 Bluetooth band promises to sync with your device in real time, removing the burden of syncing and updating exercise data. It’s also an iOS exclusive, and is fittingly available at Apple retail locations. Determined to do your holiday shopping from your armchair? No worries — Lark’s own website is offering free shipping through December 25th. Read on to scope out the company’s official press release.
Nov 28
Fujitsu’s Wandant dog pedometer tracks your pet’s moves, uploads them to the cloud
Posted in: Today's Chili 
There’s a whole host of techy tools that will let you log your 10k personal best, and break down your splits into minute detail, but what about poor old Rover? Fujistu spotted this gap, and created Wandant — a sensor-laden neck tag for dogs complete with cloud-based service for tracking your pooch’s wellbeing. The hardware will log your pet’s footsteps, amount of shivering plus temperature change, and upload it automatically via your smartphone or PC. The software will present you these data over time, with the option of manually inputting further details such as food amount, a diary with photos and — for those with stronger constitutions — stool condition. Like human-focused equivalents, there will also be provisions for sharing your dog’s efforts, but thankfully only with vets and research institutions. There’s no details on hardware pricing just yet, but the online component is free for the first year (JPY 420 / about $5 per month there after). Money no object for your mutt? Sadly only available in Japan for the time being, so you’ll need to include a return ticket in that splurge too.
Source: Fujitsu
Nov 01
Anyone who checks Google Now compulsively on a Jelly Bean-equipped Android phone might have noticed a surprise appear while they were checking for directions home from that big Halloween bash. An unannounced pedometer card has surfaced that shows just how many miles we (or our phones) have been biking or walking in a given month, with the intent clearly to spur couch dwellers into action. The discovery at Droid-Life reveals that Google has been using the GPS information it already had to catalog our athletic progress since at least September — a bit creepy, but not shocking when the positioning is already needed for directions. As for the mileage figure you see above? It’s not this writer’s only phone, so that distance is much lower than it should be. Really. Honest.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google
Google Now slips in a pedometer, reminds us we need to get out more originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Nov 2012 14:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Oct 30
Striiv launches $70 Play pedometer to track your athletics without fatiguing your iOS device
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Following the recent launch of its iOS fitness app which proclaimed “no hardware required,” Striiv has just announced new hardware for it anyway: the Striiv Play smart pedometer. But unlike the app alone, it lets you set off on your fitness adventures without toting an iDevice by doing the “heavy lifting of tracking activities” with up to a week of battery autonomy, then syncing up with the app using Bluetooth 4.0 later. From there, you’ll be able compete with friends on Facebook, gain bragging rights by reaching milestones, play games that let you progress by working out more, and chart weight, calories and exercise progress. We tested Striiv’s standalone pedometer awhile back, noting that the “insidiously” addictive games were a great motivator, and the company claims that 60 percent of users lost 13 pounds or more. So, if the little voice in your head isn’t enough to egg you on, you can grab it now for $70 — the PR and video after the break will tell you the rest.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Wearables
Striiv launches $70 Play pedometer to track your athletics without fatiguing your iOS device originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Oct 2012 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | Comments
Who's in charge here?
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.