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Here are all the places you go running and biking with your iPhone
Strava is one of the most popular exercise apps on the iPhone, so after years of users recording their own running and biking habits, the company has a whole lot of data on its hands. Using nearly 20 million recorded exercise routes from its software across iOS, Garmin GPS devices, and Android, the company has created a gorgeous heat map of the world, showing exactly where people love to burn calories with their smartphones in their pockets. The map can be broken down into running and biking routes, with various color and opacity options, but its probably most valuable when used as a tool to find great exercise spots in your area. You can zoom in all the way to street level, which is invaluable if you're just not sure where to go with with your bike or running shoes.
RunKeeper's Goal Coach helps you keep pace without all the yelling
Just a week after introducing its newfangled step-tracking app Breeze, RunKeeper is updating its iOS training software with a new jogging partner. With the latest version, you'll have access to Goal Coach: a motivational feature that helps with goal setting, sticking to training plans and exceeding your own expectations. If you've splurged for the Elite version, the aforementioned trainer will serve up weekly updates -- in addition to RunKeeper's other stats -- keeping you longing to hit the trail. Haven't opted in yet? Well, the price for new users on May 1st increases to $10/month or $40/year, so you may want to decide quickly. Of course, NikeFuel is said to be on its way to the app as well, so you'll have that extra bit of motivation tossed in, too.
Bracketron TruRunner: Protecting you and your iPhone during workouts
Runners have options when it comes to carrying their iPhones along for a brisk run, with things like armbands and good old fanny packs being popular solutions. Bracketron will begin selling the TruRunner lightweight pack (US$19.95) in May, so we took a pre-release model of this new runner's friend for a quick spin around the neighborhood. Design Highlights Unlike traditional fanny packs, the TruRunner is made of elastic materials that not only allow the "pack" to expand to fit your electronics, keys and wallet, but hold those items in place so that they're not bouncing around. Likewise, the strap is also elastic, allowing for a comfortable fit and ensuring that the pack isn't going to get loose and drop off of your body. Perhaps the best feature, however, is the reflective tab on one side of the pack. While the rest of the TruRunner is flat black, the small tab glows brightly when a light is shined upon it. This is a handy helper for those nighttime runs. A single snap buckle on the front of the TruRunner makes putting the pack on and removing it a piece of cake. There's a waterproof lining on the inside of the pack itself to keep sweat and rain from infiltrating your electronics, and the zipper closing the pack is also waterproof. The entire TruRunner weighs just 2.2 ounces (62.3 grams), so it's not going to weigh you down. Functionality Highlights I took the TruRunner for a spin during one of my daily hikes and found the pack to be a nice fit for my iPhone in its Mophie Juice Pack, an ID, and a couple of keys. The TruRunner's elastic band and an adjustment buckle made it easy to fit the pack to my middle-age physique, and it was just very comfortable. I initially had some concerns that the lack of padding in the TruRunner pack would make the iPhone feel like a knife to my kidneys, but that concern went away the minute I put the pack on. The comfort level and the fact that the pack didn't jostle around with every step made the TruRunner a real winner. To top it off, the TruRunner is just big enough to carry your necessities, but won't be an embarrassment like those mammoth fanny packs that hang like a second stomach off of fat sweaty tourists at the beach in summer. Conclusion Need a comfortable, sweat-and-rainproof way of carrying your iPhone during runs, hikes, or workouts? Bracketron's TruRunner fits the bill. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible
Nike+ Running for iPhone now keeps you motivated with a coaching mode
Let's face it: Many people will need some motivation to shed those holiday pounds. Thankfully, an update to the Nike+ Running app for iOS is here to get folks moving. The fitness tool now includes a Nike+ Coach mode that delivers training programs based on both ambition and skill level; athletes can gently work up to a 5K or go all-out with marathon training. Should they start slacking, the app can also send run reminders and offer tips. We can't promise that Nike's coaching will make up for any turkey overdoses this year, but hey, the app is free -- it won't hurt to give the new feature a spin.
The Summoner's Guidebook: Cutting your losses in League of Legends
When a team loses a teamfight in League of Legends, it's fairly common for the losing team to have a chance to back out, frequently with near-empty health bars and several dead teammates. Sometimes a fight can't be won, and it's important to identify when a fight is won or lost as soon as possible and take the appropriate actions to minimize loss or maximize gain. Additionally, it's important to know how to confirm on a play a team member has made. It's easy to see a Lux binding land and want to go all-in. However, sometimes that's not a good play, especially if the enemy has counter-initiation available.
Nike+ FuelBand SE unveiled with new colors, Bluetooth 4.0, priced at $149 (update: eyes-on)
The sportswear giant from Beaverton, Oregon has just unveiled its latest fitness-oriented wearable -- say hello to the Nike+ FuelBand SE. This refreshed edition looks nearly identical to its predecessor, but comes in black with total crimson (a mix of orange and red), pink foil or volt (a yellow and greenish neon) accents. Nike's hoping to get FuelBand users to move even more throughout the day with this edition, thanks to some "fine-tuning" to how your Fuel is tracked. Namely, the new unit can identify actual movement better, rather than counting things like ambiguous wrist flicks. You'll also get better flexibility and weather sealing, hourly reminders to move, Bluetooth 4.0 and a double-tap function for the home button that'll bring up the time. Nike's tweaked the FuelBand iOS app a bit as well, to help users get the most movement out of their day. Fuel Curve graphs your hourly movements, with five minutes per hour being the minimum to achieve an hourly goal (only two-percent of users reach this currently). You'll also find dynamic info for your daily and weekly activity. Flipping the app into landscape mode gives a new view for tracking your weekly goal, hours you've "won" and the intensity of your movements. Better yet, Sessions gives you the ability to tag specific workout activities and monitor your Fuel Rate in real time. All of this is easily shareable with your friends across social networks using a centralized Group feature. Nike's running app has also been updated to automatically pause when you rest, while also enabling a photo option. If you want in on the new band, you can snag one starting November 6th, for $159 $149. Also worth a mention, Nike's reinstated its Accelerator program as the Nike+ Fuel lab in San Francisco, with an aim to help 10 more companies build Fuel-related products over the course of 12 weeks.
Strava Run fitness app taps iPhone 5s motion co-processor for longer battery life
If you were placing bets on when the first app using the iPhone 5S' M7 motion co-processor would arrive, it's time to cash in. Strava Run, the fitness application that lets you score your suffering (no, really), was recently updated to include auto-pause that relies on Apple's new silicon, allowing a time-out on your activity when it senses you aren't moving. The application also uses less juice now, which should make your iPhone a little more prepared for a marathon. You, on the other hand, may need to recharge somewhere during those 26.2 miles.
My Asics 2.0 provides adaptive training plans to runners on Android and iOS
Asics has had personalized training plans on its website for a while, but they haven't been much help for runners who've already laced up their shoes. Those plans are now much more accessible courtesy of the company's new My Asics 2.0 for Android and iOS. Like its web counterpart, the mobile app builds a schedule around a runner's abilities and goals, adjusting the difficulty level based on feedback. Accordingly, a new plan view makes it easier to see what's next on the agenda. If you've ever needed more challenge in your morning run, you can grab the updated My Asics app at the source link.
Run-n-Read keeps e-book text steady while you're on the treadmill (video)
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.
RunKeeper for iOS now motivates you with real-world training programs
It's easy to find running apps that offer goals -- it's harder to find one that inspires you to run in the first place. RunKeeper wants to be that motivator, and it just overhauled the training section of its iOS app to match. The refresh takes broad, skill-based programs from sites like Greatist and breaks them down into more realistic daily objectives, such as running a little bit further or taking a break. There's also a steady stream of tips for staying healthy between sessions. RunKeeper hasn't said when Android-bound athletes will get the new training routines, but their iPhone-owning counterparts can grab the update at the source link.
Selfloops bridges sport gadget divide on Android with combo ANT+ adapter and battery pack
If you take your smartphone-assisted exercise seriously, you'll probably want both ANT+ sensor support and a power pack to offset the increased battery drain that follows. It's a good thing that Selfloops is tackling both needs at once with its new Android ANT+ Accessory, then. The USB add-on isn't tiny, but it can grab data like cadence and heart rate from a nearby ANT+ device while keeping a phone topped up through its 2,000mAh battery. The peripheral is also one of the few to bring ANT+ to Android 2.3 -- if you're still using an older handset, you've found an ideal fitness companion. Just be prepared to wait for it. While Selfloops is currently taking pre-orders for the $115 Android ANT+ Accessory, it's not starting shipments until October.
Hamster wheel used to control human-sized treadmill (video)
Sure, your pet hamster's amazing leg strength may someday power a house, but can it beat you in a race? A pair of Chicago-based artists might be able to help you solve this mystery. The duo recently hooked up a homemade tachometer to a hamster's exercise wheel and mapped the data to a treadmill's motor. The fur ball's RPMs are transferred in real time, which gives it the ability to control its bipedal competitor's running speeds. The team cautions that no animals were harmed during this experiment, however a human ego may have been bruised after trying to keep up with a tireless rodent.
Runtastic brings a GPS watch, fitness monitors and more to the US
Most app developers have few incentives to build their own hardware, let alone the resources. With 25 million mobile users, Runtastic has both -- so it only makes sense that the company is bringing a slate of complementary exercise gear to the US for the first time. The initial catalog won't shock cyclists and runners who have ever toyed with tracking their progress, but it's certainly complete. Along with Runtastic's take on a GPS watch ($150), there's also an app-friendly heart rate monitor ($70), a speed sensor ($60), an armband and a bike mount. While the peripherals only truly make sense for Runtastic loyalists, they're available today through Amazon -- and they might seal the deal for athletes who want a harmonious blend of hardware and software.
Zynga releases Running With Friends, developed with Eat Sleep Play
Zynga has released a new game in the 'With Friends' series (which started back when the company acquired Words with Friends, a very popular Scrabble-like iOS game). Running With Friends is, as you can see above, not a fitness app, though that does sound fun. Instead, it's an endless running game, based on the Running of the Bulls, where you compete with friends to earn points and distance. The game has you running, jumping and dodging obstacles, all while trying to earn as many points as possible. As you might expect, the title is freemium, so it's free to download, and there are in-app purchases available if you'd like extra currency. Most of the games in the "With Friends" series have been super casual so far (mostly word games and simple social titles), so it's interesting to see that Zynga is upping the ante on the gameplay just a bit. Plus, this title is developed by was developed in collaboration with (see update) Eat Sleep Play, a company founded by David Jaffe that previously worked on the Twisted Metal games. "With Friends" hasn't seen a lot of action lately (though it's still a fairly big brand for Zynga), so this may be an attempt to revitalize the offerings. Update: Zynga got in touch to point out that the game wasn't developed by Eat Sleep Play directly, but that company did collaborate on some of the gameplay elements. So there's that.
RunKeeper for Android and iOS now talks to Pebble smartwatches
Although more than a few runners track their progress through apps like RunKeeper, it's doubtful that many of them like reaching for their smartphones just to check their pace. Thanks to an updated RunKeeper app, they'll only have to look at the Pebble smartwatch on their wrist. Both Android and iOS users can now glance at the Bluetooth timepiece for vital stats, such as pacing, or start and stop their runs. Only a handful of us will have the needed combination of app and wristwear to justify the update at the source links, but don't despair if you're not part of the Pebble flock. RunKeeper's staff say they "look forward" to supporting wearable technology as a whole, which should let many more athletes keep their eyes on the path ahead, and their hands out of their pockets.
Purdue University's ReadingMate makes the classic reading-running combo a little easier
Universities aren't just places for students to cut classes and enjoy themselves before eventually embarking on careers. They are also places where problems get solved, like the one facing runners who find it hard to read on the jog. That bane is the focus of a group of researchers at Purdue University, who are working on a system called ReadingMate, which moves text on a display in reaction to the bobbing head of a runner to stabilize what's being seen. The screen is sent information from a pair of infrared LED-equipped glasses, but it's not as simple as shifting text in time with head movement -- your eyes are performing corrections of their own, so the words dance slightly out of sync with your noggin to take this into account. It's performed well in testing, and could have applications beyond the gym, such as in heavy machinery and aircraft, where vibration can hamper reading ability in important situations. Those uses make the most sense -- we don't often find ourselves eager to attack that next Twilight chapter during a near-death treadmill experience.
Google My Tracks update brings Drive integration and a lock screen widget
Cyclists and runners with Android phones have had a rare first-party option for keeping tabs on their performance through Google's My Tracks, but the app hasn't been entirely in step with those who upgrade their OS as quickly as they barrel down the street. It's back on pace with a quiet update: My Tracks now has a customizable lock screen widget for Android 4.2 users who want to know their distance or speed details at a glance. Whether or not you're running the latest and greatest Android version, the upgrade will sync finished tracks with Google Drive for safekeeping and sharing; extra-competitive types can also import KML files and view others' tracks for comparisons. Hit the source link if time (or simple oneupmanship) is of the essence.
RunKeeper 3.0 for Android gets a Holo-native UI, puts us front and center
It must be the season for Android-native makeovers within our apps. RunKeeper has just pushed out a 3.0 update to its exercise tracker that brings the interface in line with Google's Holo concepts from Android 4.0 and beyond. There's more to see once acclimated to the look and feel, however. The 3.0 revamp now has a dedicated tab to show all of an athlete's progress in one area, such as goals and recent history. It also displays both intervals and pacing in mid-activity while making easy to set a reminder for the next run while cooling down. Runners wanting to modernize just need to hit Google Play to give RunKeeper a makeover that could very well improve their health in the process.
Apple applies for shoe-life sensor patent, puts it in hypothetical brogues
Nike's running sensor, a detachable piece of tech that connected to a companion iOS app, is the closest that Apple's associated itself to foot metrics so far, but folded inside the company's patent applications for today is this left-field addition, a shoe wear-out sensor. We assume the idea is geared towards runners -- presumably these brogue outlines we're looking at above are just red herrings. The application draws together two possible outcomes: one with an thin sensor layer built your footwear of choice and another which keeps the sensor in the heel. A "unitless activity number" is also mentioned, where the device (which could include accelerometers, flexibility sensors and more) could craft an "activity value" based on your movement -- this would then also be used to gauge the shelf-life of your current footwear. When this pre-specified threshold is exceeded, it would then sound the alarm. According to one diagram, the process could connect with an external display, likely broadcasting its concern to your nearby iOS device. But if your running needs demand a sensor to tell you when your sneakers are cooked, there might be other things worth tracking.
Just in time for New Year's, RunKeeper upgraded to 3.0
Around New Year's Day, many of us desire to do something to make ourselves better. That means resolutions are written (that are usually broken within a few weeks) to eat better, drink less and exercise more. The best app for tracking exercise and sharing it with friends, RunKeeper (free), has just been updated to version 3.0 with a newly streamlined UI and new features. One thing I've always enjoyed doing while out on RunKeeper-tracked walks is taking photos. Frankly, it's always been a bit of a hassle. Well, the company has enhanced the photo-taking features to make it easier to shoot pictures while on a run or walk and then share the images with friends through Facebook and Twitter without leaving the app. If you're an Elite member of RunKeeper (US$19.99 per year), another new feature allows you to turn on live activity tracking so friends and family can track you. That's perfect for letting your friends know where you are when you're six hours into your first marathon. %Gallery-174345% As you can see from the screenshots in the gallery, RunKeeper now has a cleaner design with less text. It's easier to read and to navigate. RunKeeper 3.0 is available for download now on the App Store.
