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Apple Fitness+ Feature 'Time to Walk' Launching Soon With Audio Stories From Special Guests

I seem to be the only person here that thinks this is a stupid implementation?

I’m down for the idea of stories for walking, but seriously, this is how iTunes turned into bloatware (by putting features in the wrong app).

Imo these should be offered via the Apple Podcast app. The Fitness app should provide a direct link to start the podcast.

It makes more sense for Apple to provide voice coaching for running that’s dynamic based on your current speed, heart rate etc.
 
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myrtlebee said:
I hate fitness reminders, but if they popped up with pics of cute guys like Shawn Mendes I might just obey.
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Maybe it should take into account one's gender and sexual preference - I don't recall seeing that in the Health app though. :)

I don't think I'll use this, but as a shareholder, if even a small percentage of people do, and it makes them healthier that is a good thing. And it keeps making things more sticky.

(And I care about other people being healthy since we are subsidizing unhealthy lifestyles via national health plans or compulsory insurance.)
 
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Two things: 1) Will the walk register your rings like it does now for outdoor walk? 2) Rather than stories, I would much prefer if they did a guided interval type outdoor walk. Peloton or Obé has this and it’s great.
 
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insomniac86 said:
I seem to be the only person here that thinks this is a stupid implementation?

I’m down for the idea of stories for walking, but seriously, this is how iTunes turned into bloatware.

Imo these should be offered via the Apple Podcast app. The Fitness app should provide a direct link to start the podcast.

It makes more scene for Apple to provide voice coaching for running that’s dynamic based on your current speed, heart rate etc.
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Yes, this is exactly what I wrote below before I read your post. I listen to whatever I want to on my walks, I don’t care about stories at all, and I would prefer coaching or guided walk with all the above that you mentioned.
 
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x-evil-x said:
I must be one of the only ones that doesn't need to be reminded to workout.
Do people really need this much help to get started?
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Apparently, a lot of people need a lot of encouragement to get started. The U.S. has a huge problem (pun intended) with obesity and general unhealthy conditions and lifestyles. And current conditions don't help.
 
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I like that Apple is Improving it's service. I would like a place to plan and track weight lifting. Sets, reps weight etc.. I know this is difficult or impossible to tie to the apple watch but even a section in the Activity app would be great to enter your lifting data.
 
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LarrySW said:
You know that feature can be disabled, right?
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I do, yes. And all the other features can be disabled too. Problem is, if I disabled all the features that used to wind me up and constantly interrupt my day, it would just become a normal watch. And as a normal watch, it's not good. Each to their own of course, I just don't need my watch constantly tapping me with interruptions.
 
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LukeHarrison said:
I do, yes. And all the other features can be disabled too. Problem is, if I disabled all the features that used to wind me up and constantly interrupt my day, it would just become a normal watch. And as a normal watch, it's not good. Each to their own of course, I just don't need my watch constantly tapping me with interruptions.
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So with my watch, i turn off all app notifications, and just pick the few apps they I need to be notified about.

I like being able to message and intercom from my watch, plus I like the health stuff. Having it configured that way I find it rarely interrupts me.
 
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pumpkinwhite said:
Good to see them adding new features.

I wish they would add elliptical workouts. That’s a pretty common workout machine at people’s homes. I’ve been using the cycling workouts while myself being on the elliptical. The only problem is that the calorie counts during cycling workouts in fitness+ are grossly underestimated (as compared to when you choose a non-fitness+ elliptical workout via the Apple watch).
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I’m using an elliptical too with Fitness+ and would love to have elliptical workouts. I use the Fitness+ running workout and then choose Walk
 
calstanford said:
It's getting dumber and more childish by the day. My watch tells me how to wash my hands, to breathe and now how to walk. I'm sorry but...
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LukeHarrison said:
It was the handwashing thing that finally made me realise 'this is getting a bit intrusive now', and made me sell my S4. Went back to a normal automatic watch and felt much better.
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...what? You’re going to trade in your entire watch for an older one that doesn’t support as many features? You can turn off these “intrusive” features you know. Btw the sound is analyzed on device. It’s not like Apple engineers are sitting in a dark corner listening to you washing your hands over and over
 
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LeadingHeat said:
...what? You’re going to trade in your entire watch for an older one that doesn’t support as many features? You can turn off these “intrusive” features you know. Btw the sound is analyzed on device. It’s not like Apple engineers are sitting in a dark corner listening to you washing your hands over and over
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I think you misread. I didn't trade it in for an older AW, I sold it and went back to a traditional watch. It wasn't purely because of the handwashing feature, but the fact that I just didn't want to be so 'connected' all the time.
 
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LukeHarrison said:
I do, yes. And all the other features can be disabled too. Problem is, if I disabled all the features that used to wind me up and constantly interrupt my day, it would just become a normal watch. And as a normal watch, it's not good. Each to their own of course, I just don't need my watch constantly tapping me with interruptions.
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I generally agree. I ended up hanging up the AW on the charger and starting a collection of "real" watches, with AW becoming a purely fitness accessory - I work out 20-30 times a month, so I still use it daily. Otherwise I prefer my Omega, Ingersoll or even the $50 Casio 😎
 
LukeHarrison said:
I think you misread. I didn't trade it in for an older AW, I sold it and went back to a traditional watch. It wasn't purely because of the handwashing feature, but the fact that I just didn't want to be so 'connected' all the time.
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That does make sense I guess, but then why not just disable notifications and use it as a normal watch (never unlocking it) and saving the battery? Or better yet have it as a backup in case your phone dies or you’re in an emergency and can’t get to your phone?
 
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MacRumors said:


Earlier this week, Apple seeded the watchOS 7.3 Release Candidate, which is typically the final beta version of a software update. The release notes for the update list a new "Time to Walk" feature for Apple Fitness+ subscribers, described as "an audio experience in the Workout app where guests share inspiring stories as you walk."

time-to-walk-apple-watch.jpg

Apple Fitness+ subscribers will be able to open the Workout app on an Apple Watch, select Time to Walk, and choose from one of the audio stories to listen to during their walk. The feature will likely extend to wheelchair users.

Based on a screenshot of a since-removed Apple Fitness+ promotional video shared by Twitter user Othmane, it appears that Time to Walk will include a 30-minute story from singer Shawn Mendes at launch. Othmane says the video also showed stories from singer Dolly Parton, NBA star Draymond Green, and actress Uzo Aduba, known for her role as Suzanne Warren on the Netflix original series "Orange Is the New Black."

While settings for Time to Walk started showing up weeks ago in earlier betas of watchOS 7.3 and iOS 14.4, the stories are not yet accessible. The feature should launch when the software updates are publicly released, likely this coming week.

A new setting on the Apple Watch can be toggled on to ensure that new Time to Walk stories are added to the Workout app as they become available. The stories will be downloaded when the Apple Watch is connected to power and near a paired iPhone, and they will be deleted automatically upon completion of the workout.

Apple Fitness+ launched last month, providing subscribers with access to a library of workout videos covering strength, yoga, dance, running, walking, cycling, rowing, and more, with new content delivered each week from a team of trainers hired by Apple. Fitness+ integrates personal metrics such as heart rate from the Apple Watch to motivate users, animating them on the screen during key moments in the workout. Time to Walk will be unique given that the workouts can be completed outdoors without needing to watch a screen.

Apple Fitness+ is currently available in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Apple is offering a one-month free trial to all Apple Watch users, and an extended three-month trial to customers who purchased a new Apple Watch Series 3 or newer after September 15, 2020. After the trial, the service is priced at $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year in the United States.

Article Link: Apple Fitness+ Feature 'Time to Walk' Launching Soon With Audio Stories From Special Guests
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Every time I go bike riding and use Maps, I have to additionally trigger a bike workout too (and then it's very difficult to change music once it's begun because it only wants to give me map directions but that's another layer of stupid) which is annoying. It already knows I'm riding my bike and on the move so there's no reason not to have a way to auto trigger that. This is a step in the right direction that could help lead to more proactive automation that we need.
 
Some people just look for reasons to complain, especially when speaking about user options on the watch. How can something be intrusive and against the user's wishes, when it is ultimately up to the user whether he or she wants option x on?

If you don't care about the new walk feature, move on to something else meaningless in your life to complain about. The Apple Watch doesn't revolve around what any one person wants or expects all the time.

Some of these comments are things an adult would expect to hear from a kid in kindergarten or first grade.
 
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