'Strava Run' Updated with Support for M7 'Motion Coprocessor' on iPhone 5s

MacRumors · Sep 25, 2013

Fitness tracker Strava has launched an update to its Strava Run iOS app today that takes advantage of the new M7 "motion coprocessor" in the iPhone 5s to deliver a number of new features, reports The Verge. Specifically, the app now includes an auto-pause feature in order to allow users to get better feedback in their fitness by pausing their runs when movement is stopped, and reduced battery consumption that only uses GPS functionality when needed.

Originally announced at Apple's September Event 2013, the M7 coprocessor was said to continuously measure motion data with the accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass inside the iPhone 5s.. Additionally, a report taking a closer look at Apple's M7 co-processor revealed that the chip is actually an ARM Cortex-M3 part running at 180 MHz, allowing for low-power collection of motion data.

Nike+ Move, another fitness app, will also take advantage of the new M7 coprocessor in order to determine the different movements of a user for better accuracy, in addition to the Nike Fuel movement ratings that integrate into Game Center. Strava Run is a free app and can be downloaded through the App Store. [Direct Link]

Article Link: 'Strava Run' Updated with Support for M7 'Motion Coprocessor' on iPhone 5s

Xenomorph · Sep 25, 2013

Nice.

I use the Strava bike app for all my rides. I wonder what M7 magic will bring to it.

Northgrove · Sep 25, 2013

RunKeeper also does the auto-pause thing, but not requiring an M7 coprocessor. I also think the battery drain is pretty minimal with that app.

Jcknows0 · Sep 25, 2013

Xenomorph said:
Nice.

I use the Strava bike app for all my rides. I wonder what M7 magic will bring to it.

I've been wondering the same. Will they update it soon? Bike season is almost over.

mrxak · Sep 25, 2013

I get that this is something Tim Cook likes a lot, and is really pushing, but honestly I don't find these sorts of exercise trackers very interesting, especially the ones that are "social". But whatever.

I'd like to see a more efficient GPS chip and some really interesting new sensors on the iWatch, if that is ever happening. Like medical stuff. It could really be a boon for people with certain conditions.

za9ra22 · Sep 25, 2013

mrxak said:
I get that this is something Tim Cook likes a lot, and is really pushing, but honestly I don't find these sorts of exercise trackers very interesting, especially the ones that are "social". But whatever.

Not just Tim Cook. Activity trackers are big business now, and when implemented right they provide users with good motivational tools to improve fitness and diet. Whether they appeal or not, they are apparently helping a lot of people achieve healthier lifestyles.

aliensporebomb · Sep 25, 2013

Oh geez!

I love Strava Cycling. Let's hope they get that going soon. I don't have a 5S as yet but I could see this being a bigger deal going forward. I constantly track my walking/cycling/running and I've used other apps in the past but this could cement it as "all strava, all the time".

Wow, look at the screenshot - this guy ran 228 miles in the last 28 days? Wow.

Devil Jobs · Sep 25, 2013

i use the mapmyfitness.... any word on a upgrade there?

Jimmy James · Sep 25, 2013

mrxak said:
I get that this is something Tim Cook likes a lot, and is really pushing, but honestly I don't find these sorts of exercise trackers very interesting, especially the ones that are "social". But whatever.

I'd like to see a more efficient GPS chip and some really interesting new sensors on the iWatch, if that is ever happening. Like medical stuff. It could really be a boon for people with certain conditions.

They mentioned a benefit I care about here. I use motionx to track my bike rides. It's great, but heavy on battery. If they can easily toggle the GPS on/off when I'm not moving it would help greatly.

ateslik · Sep 25, 2013

Strava is one of the best apps in the app store. I use it all the time for rides and runs. I'm super stoked to hear that they are reducing battery usage. When I rode from SF to LA I had to create a solar panel rig just to keep Strava going.

Now if they would only add swimming!

soch · Sep 28, 2013

M7 will not make you a superman.

There are claims that the M7 could do, but in reality these may not be fully true & be an exaggeration by blogging community & Apple.

The steps & activity type (stationary, walking etc) can be obtained only if the app is running in foreground. This is not what most of the users do for tracking apps. They like to start the app press the power button to switch off the screen and put the iPhone away in backpack or pocket, listen to music. As soon as the phone goes in a sleep mode, the steps & activity info from M7 can't be obtained unless the user wakes the app up. Unlike the GPS, music or VOIP functionality which are truly background enabled, M7 data is not.

So don't get misled by the "claims" made by the apps that they are really going to save battery using M7 and keep the user informed even when the app is running in the background.

kdarling · Sep 29, 2013

soch said:
The steps & activity type (stationary, walking etc) can be obtained only if the app is running in foreground.

Right, the M7 is always counting and watching the activity type on its own, but since there don't seem to be any step/activity notifications available, a fore or background task must manually request the data.

Since apps cannot run in the background unless they've registered for an allowed reason to do so, an app can only get the M7 data if it wakes up for one of those reasons.

I think it's usually done by asking for background location updates. Of course, then the user must agree to let the app use location services (which might confuse the user about an app that's just supposed to count steps).

So don't get fooled by the "claims" made by the apps that they are really going to save battery using M7 and keep the user informed even when the app is running in the background.

The good thing is that an app need only wake long enough to change the display, which is better than staying awake and chewing up main CPU time to watch the accelerometer etc. OTOH, if it's using location changes as the cue to wake, that could chew up more power watching the GPS / WiFi nodes.

FreeState · Oct 1, 2013

kdarling said:
Right, the M7 is always counting and watching the activity type on its own, but since there don't seem to be any step/activity notifications available, a fore or background task must manually request the data.

Since apps cannot run in the background unless they've registered for an allowed reason to do so, an app can only get the M7 data if it wakes up for one of those reasons.

I think it's usually done by asking for background location updates. Of course, then the user must agree to let the app use location services (which might confuse the user about an app that's just supposed to count steps).

The good thing is that an app need only wake long enough to change the display, which is better than staying awake and chewing up main CPU time to watch the accelerometer etc. OTOH, if it's using location changes as the cue to wake, that could chew up more power watching the GPS / WiFi nodes.

There is an App called Moves that uses the M7 chip to track foot steps and locations. Its a background location request. It does not seem to have any battery drain that I noticed.

There is also Argus that tracks your foot steps with the new chip. It uses location services as well, but does not have a map or location history like Moves does. It also does not seem to drain my battery.

kdarling · Oct 1, 2013

FreeState said:
There is an App called Moves that uses the M7 chip to track foot steps and locations. Its a background location request. It does not seem to have any battery drain that I noticed.

Moves will use the M7 in the future, but it does not rely on having it. They have been doing their own lower power activity recognition. As their CEO noted:

"... unlike Apple’s devices, Moves can identify cycling as a separate movement.

"Also, Moves can run on existing iPhones, whereas to use Apple’s new co-processor, consumers have to buy a new phone. In addition, Moves is already working on future iterations of its software that will use the M7 coprocessor.

"As of the recent news, Moves can also run on Android devices running Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) or higher."

darkfiber · Oct 1, 2013

FreeState said:
There is also Argus that tracks your foot steps with the new chip. It uses location services as well, but does not have a map or location history like Moves does. It also does not seem to drain my battery.

I just installed ARGUS today on my 5s. I thought it was interesting that it filled in all the steps I took since I got my iPhone 5s this past Wednesday. I wonder how long M7 keeps the data for things like how many steps you have took etc...?

FreeState · Oct 1, 2013

kdarling said:
Moves will use the M7 in the future, but it does not rely on having it. They have been doing their own lower power activity recognition. As their CEO noted:

"... unlike Apples devices, Moves can identify cycling as a separate movement.

"Also, Moves can run on existing iPhones, whereas to use Apples new co-processor, consumers have to buy a new phone. In addition, Moves is already working on future iterations of its software that will use the M7 coprocessor.

"As of the recent news, Moves can also run on Android devices running Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) or higher."

Oh thanks -I assumed since Apple had it in the "Designed for iOS7" area it used the new tech. Sorry bout that.

dejo · Oct 1, 2013

FreeState said:
I assumed since Apple had it in the "Designed for iOS7" area it used the new tech.

"Designed for iOS 7" != "Designed for iPhone 5s".

soch · Oct 3, 2013

kdarling said:
Right, the M7 is always counting and watching the activity type on its own, but since there don't seem to be any step/activity notifications available, a fore or background task must manually request the data.

Since apps cannot run in the background unless they've registered for an allowed reason to do so, an app can only get the M7 data if it wakes up for one of those reasons.

I think it's usually done by asking for background location updates. Of course, then the user must agree to let the app use location services (which might confuse the user about an app that's just supposed to count steps).

Yes, this probably can be done. But GPS is the highest battery drain in the phone. If you set the location updates to occur at the lowest setting to conserve battery, the steps info will be off and would be updated after couple of hundred meters or kilometers.

kdarling said:
The good thing is that an app need only wake long enough to change the display, which is better than staying awake and chewing up main CPU time to watch the accelerometer etc. OTOH, if it's using location changes as the cue to wake, that could chew up more power watching the GPS / WiFi nodes.

The app can't wakeup to change the UI, only a user action can bring the app's UI to foreground. You can always post notifications or alerts.

Though this is a good suggestion for the apps which are already using GPS monitoring.

----------

FreeState said:
There is an App called Moves that uses the M7 chip to track foot steps and locations. Its a background location request. It does not seem to have any battery drain that I noticed.

I had installed when it came out & deleted it because it was a huge battery drain on my iPhone 4S. Tried again on my 5S & had to delete it due to battery drain.

----------

darkfiber said:
I wonder how long M7 keeps the data for things like how many steps you have took etc...?

M7 stores 7 days of data.

Our app WeatherRun stores all the steps data & one can view steps for a month (or day).

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'Strava Run' Updated with Support for M7 'Motion Coprocessor' on iPhone 5s

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