Google Fit Updates With Apple Watch-Like Rings That Track 'Move Minutes' and 'Heart Points'

[MacRumors]

Google today updated its Wear OS iPhone app [Direct Link] and Google Fit Android app with a new redesign that emphasizes closing a set of rings, similar to Apple's Activity app. Every day, Google Fit will task users to close one ring based on "move minutes" and another ring based on "heart points" (via The Verge).

"Move minutes" is a metric that is intended to be better than measuring daily steps because it can capture multiple activities, and walking "might not be a great option" for some users, Google Fit senior product manager Margaret Hollendoner explains. "Heart points" differs from "move minutes" by requiring users to engage in activities that will get their heart rate up but not require heavy physical activity (although it will reward more points for intense workouts).

Hollendoner says that it can be "as simple as picking up the pace when you're walking." Both of these metrics are measured when wearing one of Google's Wear OS watches, but there are other options available as well. You can import health data from other devices compatible with Google Fit, although the company points out that the metrics might not be as accurate.

Similar to the Apple Watch, once personal data is input in Wear OS and Google Fit, the apps can offer up goals that it believes are appropriate for each individual user. The apps can also suggest that you might need another 20 minutes of exercise to hit a weekly goal, even if you slacked off earlier in the week.

Google collaborated with the American Heart Association and the World Health Organization to build the new rings and activity tracking. In the apps, users will be able to read more details about heart points, which AHA senior vice president Patrick Wayte sees as an "opportunity to get people oriented around the science," and eventually "align them to the guidelines" the AHA recommends for daily physical activity.

As a comparison, Apple Watch's Activity rings measure Move, Exercise, and Stand metrics, related to calories burned, high-intensity workout time, and time spent standing throughout a single day. For Google Fit, the company notes that it will still measure all of the basic stats as well, including daily steps and miles completed, and calories burned.

Article Link: Google Fit Updates With Apple Watch-Like Rings That Track 'Move Minutes' and 'Heart Points'

 

[DNichter]

Not a ton of original ideas out there without Apple.

 

[theheadguy]

Not a ton of original ideas out there without Apple.

Exactly! Nobody used a circle to show progress before Apple! In fact, Apple should have patented circles on phones and watches!

 

[A MacBook lover]

It’s just sad companies like google survive on copying ideas.

Here’s an idea google, instead of copying the look and feel, try actually caring for your products and make a truly breakthrough MEDICAL device. The Apple Watch is limited, but at least you can see how far apple is going to really make it a medical device.

 

[CmdrLaForge]

mountainview start your photocopiers

 

[nburwell]

That watch is hideous looking

 

[DNichter]

Exactly! Nobody used a circle to show progress before Apple! In fact, Apple should have patented circles on phones and watches!

Google could have came up with an original idea for such a feature, instead they just implemented the same thing. Pretty ignorant to not see that, but it's not surprising.

 

[Sasparilla]

I can sort of understand the location need but why is it asking for permissions to my contact list, messaging and Apple Pay transactions? /s (just kidding, couldn't resist though)

 

[Iconoclysm]

Exactly! Nobody used a circle to show progress before Apple! In fact, Apple should have patented circles on phones and watches!

So where is Google's original idea here?
[doublepost=1534861517][/doublepost]

It’s just sad companies like google survive on copying ideas.

Here’s an idea google, instead of copying the look and feel, try actually caring for your products and make a truly breakthrough MEDICAL device. The Apple Watch is limited, but at least you can see how far apple is going to really make it a medical device.

Apple is probably pretty far into this right now, it won't surprise me if someone comes to market with something first though...not necessarily done right, but done first.

 

[mejsric]

I can sort of understand the location need but why is it asking for permissions to my contact list, messaging and Apple Pay transactions? /s (just kidding, couldn't resist though)

you forgot the web browsing history.

 

[mudflap]

That watch is so ugly it looks like an impulse item at a Walmart checkout.

 

[pdoobs]

the constant crying about "stolen" ideas and copying by the hardcore fanboys is so tiresome

 

[Dj64Mk7]

Could this be in preparation of the rumored Pixel Watch?

 

[Tozovac]

Anyone else (yawn) tired of seeing everything light blue on white? Anyone care to guess when the hell (yawn) this dumb fad will pass or who will blink first and change?

 

[robbyx]

Google could have came up with an original idea for such a feature, instead they just implemented the same thing. Pretty ignorant to not see that, but it's not surprising.

Ignorant? How about all the many many things Apple has copied over the decades? But none of those matter! Because Apple. Yeah, not surprising indeed.

 

[nrvna76]

I don't know what you guys are talking about.. they innovated a circle into some kind of magical 8 sided monstrosity! Is the shape really the complaint??

These two platforms are growing closer by the day.. and it's not all Google copying Apple..

 

[DNichter]

Ignorant? How about all the many many things Apple has copied over the decades? But none of those matter! Because Apple. Yeah, not surprising indeed.

Yes, I'd imagine most people can see this is just a copy of Apple's activity rings. I don't think there is anything wrong with taking cues from other companies or even ideas in general, but just don't make it the same thing. Google could have done something differently than rings, but they got lazy and just copied it.

 

[Wiesenlooser]

It’s okay they copy apple. In the end ,
Apple didn’t invent “rings”

But man - this just looks ugly.

 

[gaximus]

If they were going to copy it and change it from circles to octagon and circle, they should of at least made them both octagons. This looks so ugly and confusing. I'm not a fan of Google's material design, but it at least it has a lot of thought put into it and is easy to use. I can't believe this came from them.

 

[laz232]

It’s just sad companies like google survive on copying ideas.

Here’s an idea google, instead of copying the look and feel, try actually caring for your products and make a truly breakthrough MEDICAL device. The Apple Watch is limited, but at least you can see how far apple is going to really make it a medical device.

Please study apple's history before making such comments.

Also a certain amount of copying is necessary for a healthy ecosystem (Enjoy copy and paste on the iPhone? Enjoy multitasking on the iPhone? All its faults Android was there first)

 

[theheadguy]

Google could have done something differently than rings, but they got lazy and just copied it.

Yeah, like squares!

 

[DNichter]

Yeah, like squares!

I know this is getting hard for you to understand, but I would think Google has some smart people that could come up with something other than a direct copy. I guess not though.

 

[Mascots]

Yes, I'd imagine most people can see this is just a copy of Apple's activity rings. I don't think there is anything wrong with taking cues from other companies or even ideas in general, but just don't make it the same thing. Google could have done something differently than rings, but they got lazy and just copied it.

Lol people seem to forget the common format which goal health metrics were displayed prior to  Watch.

But let's talk frank: Apple has an entire campaign around closing your rings. It's a part of the brand identity of the watch and Activity.

Now, it's an identity of Fit.

 

[DNichter]

Lol people seem to forget the common format which goal health metrics were displayed prior to  Watch.

But let's talk frank: Apple has an entire campaign around closing your rings. It's a part of the brand identity of the watch and Activity.

Now, it's an identity of Fit.

If I am wrong, I have no problem admitting it - I just honestly never knew that activity rings were a common format in health metrics. I had never seen it prior to the Apple Watch.

 

[JoshBoy]

People push for competition to drive innovation however all I see these days is to imitate.

People smash Apple at times but I find it funny how status quo it becomes after 5 minutes.