Endomondo
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Hexoskin's fitness clothes now work with third-party apps
In late 2014, I tested out Hexoskin's first smart shirt, a vest that promised to monitor your vital statistics while you exercised. After a year in the lab, the company has rolled up to CES with a second-generation version of the wearable that comes with a couple notable changes. The first is that the battery life has been extended, with the firm promise that it'll last up to 30 hours on a single charge. After that, the most notable tweak has been to include Bluetooth Smart in the hardware, enabling it to connect to any compatible GPS, smartwatch or bike computer. In addition, the data that you create while out and about can now be exported to third-party fitness apps like Strava, Runkeeper and Endomondo.
Under Armour spent half a billion dollars on two fitness apps
Under Armour just outed its own fitness-tracking app at last month's CES, but the company seems keen on continually improving its software arsenal. To do so, the Baltimore-based sports outfitter paid $85 million in early January Endomondo: an app for Android, iOS, Windows Phone and BlackBerry that keeps tabs on data from running, walking, cycling and other distance sports. Endomondo also plays nice with wearables from Jabra, Garmin, Fiitbit, Withings and more. But that's not all: Under Armour also announced alongside its Q4 earnings report that it had nabbed MyFitnessPal for $475 million, too.
Sony Smartwatch update speeds apps across the board, makes sure you (always) know what time it is
If you'd picked up a Sony Smartwatch, you might have noticed that some apps plod along; not anymore, courtesy of a just-posted update: third-party apps, the music jukebox and weather should all be speedier. Sony has also fixed the watch face -- a slightly important part of a watch -- to keep it always visible whether or not the device is in standby mode. Similarly, if you use the Smartwatch for exercise, you'll be glad to know that Endomondo's tracker app has now received Sony's seal of approval as a watch companion. Hit the Google Play link below if you can't wait to get moving, but you'll get a heads-up from the Android app in the days ahead if there's no rush.
