Maybe they haven't fully-tested the feature and don't want to commit at the time. Just a hunch
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Apple Watch Learns Runners' Strides Over Time, Becoming More Independent From iPhone
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Maybe they haven't fully-tested the feature and don't want to commit at the time. Just a hunch
Do you get that same accuracy outside, on variable terrain? I haven't been keen to rely on it but poor gps signal has ruined a lot of my runs so if it is that accurate I'll give it a go.
So don't compair its running functionality vs the functionality of other running/smart watches?!?!
Look, fact of the matter is that for training purposes, this watch is focused on the recreational runner/cyclist...certainly not swimmers or triathletes. And I would guess, probably not most runners logging more than 30 miles per week. That is fine. Just don't get all bent out of shape when athletes question its functionality as Apple has made a point of illustrating how great of a running watch it is...just ask Christy Turlington.
Personally, for my purposes, it seems like the Fenix 3 blows this watch away. No GPS, no ANT+, not waterproof, short batter life (no ultra runners). Now, v2 may be a different story but as far as v1 is concerned, I am passing. That being said, I am still curious to read what DC Rainmaker has to say about it.
Yep. You nailed it right on the head. Thanks!
Why do you think the marathon record was smashed a few years ago? Why are endurance athletes becoming faster and more efficient? Technology and the ability to analyze.
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I have only used it once outside without GPS. I had forgotten to switch my run from treadmill to free run, so it wasn't utilizing GPS to save battery. It was only one or two hundredths of a mile off. The terrain was not too variable, though, so I can't say how well it would be if there were rolling hills. There were a couple slow climbs and falls, and it handled those well. Overall, I was pretty impressed with the accuracy.
EDIT: Also, iSmoothRun does a fantastic job of switching from GPS to stride tracking if the GPS signal is poor. I occasionally run through the big city where I frequently lose signal due to the taller buildings. It has been rather impressive during those times. All in all, iSmoothRun has been my go to fitness tracking app for a couple years now and don't see myself going anywhere. I'm praying that they develop an Apple Watch app. Their Pebble app is already fantastic, but I want to continue once the Apple Watch comes out.
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I like ismoothrun, and they're more responsive than runkeeper. But if I can avoid **** like this due to gps inaccuracy I'll be stoked. There's an extra 3km in those squiggles.
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I'm much more likely to get one because of the feature mentioned, but I also ride a bike in addition to running. For me a lack of GPS is not a show stopper (because I'll do as I do now and put my phone in a case mounted on my handlebars).
But you are incorrect in saying the GPS is only motivational. Biking cannot be measured with an accelerometer.
....unless you attach it to your ankle.
It's still only motivational. All it's telling you is information as to how you're improving or how much you could improve by going faster. Just makes you strive to overcome your previous goal. The only truly useful sensors will be vitals or things like blood glucose when that's possible (and yes blood glucose is important for every human being, not just diabetics).
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That's only motivational, or fun to know.
I have had that happen with RunKeeper in places where my GPS signal was poor. I spent some time in Cambodia and it seemed to go crazy on my runs there. iSmoothRun has yet to do it, but I'm not going to hold my breath.
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I'm with you on all these points. The better integration with my Pebble made me dump RunKeeper for iSmoothRun. Hopefully the Apple Watch and iSmoothRun will be a good pair. This article is making me actually consider purchasing an Apple Watch.
Apple Watch can track your movements in 3 dimensions — including altitude. It also has a built in WiFi chip. I would think that with that kind of data, it could extrapolate where you've gone pretty accurately once you superimpose a map with available topography data and known wifi access points.
Yes, future versions will be better served by a built in GPS receiver but I think that leaving it out is a battery saving measure rather than an "it wouldn't fit" limitation.
LTE and GPS may not need to come to Apple Watch at all. Instead, I expect that Apple is waiting for sub-GHz wireless networks to proliferate. These don't rely on phone carriers or use a SIM card. They're a next generation of communication for very small low powered devices for a small monthly fee (as little as $5). Whistle GPS for example is using it in their next dog tracker and you may expect to find it in loss prevention tags. Smart watches are a perfect use case for this type of network.
Watch is a smart watch that does much more than just tell the time and have GPS. In my opinion I wouldn't call a Garmin a smart watch since that mostly all they do, it's like the comparison of a feature phone to a smart phone.For those that already have something that fits their need why would they buy the
Watch? Apple isn't saying ditch all your other devices and buy theirs because it's better, they are saying they have a product that does XYZ and they want to sell it to you.Probably a useful feature for casual jogging. But, when I used the Nike+ system with the footpad, it would measure different distances depending on whether I was jogging, sprinting, outside or on the treadmill. That's because my stride pattern is different in each case. Christy would probably notice that if she included the beach in one of her caribbean training runs.
What I've heard of the new Garmins (fenix and epix) are intriguing - more apple watch type features, but GPS included and a battery life measured in days.
What I've heard of the new Garmins (fenix and epix) are intriguing - more apple watch type features, but GPS included and a battery life measured in days.
Yep!
This was a huge barrier in me wanting to get an Apple Watch.
Not sure if it's for me still, but great feature.
This was a huge barrier in me wanting to get an Apple Watch.
Not sure if it's for me still, but great feature.
"finds Burns on a bit of a break from her usual training regimen while on vacation with her family in the Caribbean. Still finding time to put in a 14-mile run in one day,"
Oh yea, the typical 14 mile run, no big deal.
And here I get annoyed when I have to stand on the metro.
Oh yea, the typical 14 mile run, no big deal.
And here I get annoyed when I have to stand on the metro.
Okay...?
I ran 14 miles while on vacation in Maui, along the west shore.
Not as tiring if it's a normal part of your routine.
"finds Burns on a bit of a break from her usual training regimen while on vacation with her family in the Caribbean. Still finding time to put in a 14-mile run in one day,"
Oh yea, the typical 14 mile run, no big deal.
And here I get annoyed when I have to stand on the metro.
I ran 14 miles while on vacation in Maui, along the west shore.
Not as tiring if it's a normal part of your routine.
The discussion of this new feature is very interesting to me because I think we all know there is no way it can be as accurate as GPS. How important GPS is will vary by user. But I assumed there is no way it works that well, and is exactly why Apple never mentioned this feature.
Then I notice this blog is on Apple's site, which we know is edited and approved like any press release, so they at least believe there is some truth to it if they're publishing it.
But it looks like not good enough for Apple to say so themselves on the product page or keynote though. So it is interesting that it may be good enough for when you occasionally don't want to take your phone with you. Enough data to get it into health kit or whatever app so it doesn't bug you about missing a daily goal, just not super detailed.
But how many runners are going to want to shell out for both a running specific gps watch and an apple watch? Some I guess, but many won't. I won't. So apple watch not having gps puts those people to a choice: do I want a good running watch with limited smart functions (eg fenix 3) or a good smartwatch with limited running functions?
It's just a shame we have to pick one or the other; that's all I'm saying. Hopefully either apple adds gps in v2 or Garmin et al step up their "smart" features in the next generation of devices.
Have you ever heard of Strava? GPS is what attracts millions of users around the world. It's far from being 'convenient' data, when the entire platform and user exerience is built around GPS data.
GPS on the Apple Watch would be a great addition, no doubt in my mind. I love these strategies to mitigate the lack of GPS, but they only go so far. (And I think it's coming in v2 or v3.)
The problem I'm having is, what's the better alternative right now?
Maybe it's out there and I don't know about it. The problem with the Surge is that it doesn't play audio? Seems like a lot of runners want music or other audio at times. So I'm carrying my phone or something else anyway. Maybe there's one out there that can play music... but then there's another device to manage the music for. (At this point, the hassle of syncing and managing music for an additional Apple device is almost zero--that hasn't been my experience with other kinds of devices.)
Another issue with the other fitness trackers is the limited software that runs on them. With the Apple Watch there seems to be a much better chance I can find something that suits me.
Then there's the potential proliferation of devices issue. The Apple Watch is a considerably more versatile than the fitness-centric devices that actually have GSP. That is, if you want to have only one device to manage then you're usually going to be better off with something versatile.
As I see it, if you're an data hungry runner who only wants a device for running, wants GPS, likes to run light (doesn't want to carry a phone or other things), and doesn't listen to music, then there are probably better options out there at the moment. For everyone else, there's the Apple Watch (well, if you have a few extra $$$ to spend -- it ain't cheap).
Well certainly, the Apple Watch isn't too attractive to swimmers, triathletes and others involved with water activities.
Bicyclists
I run with a Fenix 3 and a shuffle, for long runs its a Fenix 3, an iPod Mini and wireless Beats. I get music and proper data just fine. And I don't have to worry about ruining a $400 iWatch and $900 iPhone in the event I get caught in some serious rain...which happens.
It amazes me how people on this board can speculate how this untested, unreleased product will be perfect for "everyone else"...minus swimmers, triathletes, cyclists (adding these being that the vast majority of cycling gear uses ANT+ which the iWatch doesn't support), ultra runners, etc. For all we know, the HR data may be terrible. Let's wait and see.
You realize that I specifically said the Apple Watch isn't "perfect"? (Your word.)
I'm pointing out it's strengths and weaknesses compared to other options. The Fenix 3 looks great, but as you've found, it doesn't address music -- not exactly ideal for most looking to run light--which is kinda the point of ditching the phone. You can leave your phone at home, but you need to carry another device if you want music. (And can you control those iPods from the Fenix 3? If not, you won't be able to just stow away the music player, either.)
It doesn't sound like you need to worry about the Apple Watch when it comes to rain except that you don't want to choose one of the leather straps.
If the question is, would the Apple Watch be a lot better with GPS and deeper water resistance? Definitely. But if the question is, are there clearly better options? I think not in many cases.
ANT+ I don't know. It almost seems like it requires a special radio. If it does, that's really bad in terms of gaining widespread usage -- I would have to wonder if it would ever make it to the Apple Watch if that's the case. Hopefully there's something like ANT+ over bluetooth (a standardized data sharing protocol is pretty pointless if it requires specialized hardware).
Fair enough, I never should have used the work perfect. I guess I am just disappointed in v1. I was hoping for something to immediately shake up the high end fitness device market. Don't get me wrong, long term, Garmin should be petrified. But in 2015, not so much.
I believe the ANT+ protocol is owned by Garmin and they have been pretty open, see Adidas, Suunto, Timex, Samsung, etc., and most cycling power meters, speed/cadence, footpods, and HRMs broadcast in it. I'd imagine that Bluetooth will eventually have a bigger footprint, but it would have been nice to see Apple come out guns blazing.
Unfortunately, even without GPS and ANT+, the battery only gets 18 hours - who knows what that life is when you are running everything.
As for the Fenix, I think you are right. While it can control music on the iPhone (which I don't carry when I run), I'm not sure if it can link up with the Bluetooth of my iPod Mini. I'll have to try that out tomorrow before my long run.
And as for waterproofing. I've already gone through three pairs of water resistant bose sport headphones, and two pairs of waterproof Wireless PowerBeats...all from rain. So I have my doubts about water resistant fitness gear.
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I don't get what all the fuss is about over GPS for running. Runkeeper Which is free lets you map and or edit your route on their website so it is just as accurate as GPS and probably more accurate due to being to fix the areas where GPS is poor and has you running s screwy squiggly route
Ah, yeah, I've seen those shirts with pouches in the lower back section. Bicycling shirts (the tight, spandex-looking ones) often have those for cyclists to store things in like water bottles, phones, etc. They're alright but wouldn't suit my need for weight lifting.
I actually like the look of fanny packs and I think I'll be getting something like this before my Apple Watch arrives:
