Let's be honest, It's not a fitness watch

[Julien]

I plan on using my Watch as a supplement to my Garmin 620 for the time being. I'm sure over time and especially generations the Watch will evolve into a comprehensive fitness tracking device. A few things in the short term. Once the 2ed SKD is offered we will see 3ed party native tracking Apps that will be an improvement over Apple's. Also you can probably pair a BT HR strap with the Watch for increased HR accuracy. I'm anxious to compare the optical sensor to a HR strap but I'm not optimistic optical can come close.

Since I have carried an iPhone on almost ever run since the Original not having a GPS chip is not an issue. However I bet we get GPS in the next gen.

 

[czecho7]

I wasn't much of an active person. I've been more of a couch potato. With the steps taken data on my iPhone 6+ always pointing out to me how little I move I started challenging myself to reach target steps per day.

These steps taken turned into jogging. I'm now consciously tracking my health daily. All thanks to the iPhone. When I get my Apple watch I'm going to set it to remind me to stand up once in a while. I forget to sometimes at the office.

That's awesome, good for you! I'm hoping that Apple Watch will help me focus more on being more active and tracking my health.

 

[Julien]

That's awesome, good for you! I'm hoping that Apple Watch will help me focus more on being more active and tracking my health.

This is by far the most important point. Even if the Watch doesn't fully meet the wants of us long timers, if it gets more people concuss of their activity level and motivates then it will be a BIG win for all of us.

 

[profets]

As a runner & triathlete, I do partially agree. The Apple Watch is definitely not (yet) a fitness watch. Just missing GPS alone makes that case true.

Having said that, I've found the optical HR sensor in my TomTom cardio watch to be quite accurate. It may not be perfect, but it definitely works well enough that I'd happily go without using a chest strap. Oh man did I hate wearing chest straps for measuring HR.

Also, I've used iPhones many times for runs, along with dedicated watches that have GPS. I've always found them both to be very accurate. There's no reason an iPhone's GPS isn't as accurate as any of these dedicated fitness watches.

I literally just came in from a 5km run, lol. I'm looking forward to future iterations of the Apple watch where it has GPS built in, along with full waterproofing for swimming . No more needing to wear my TomTom watch and carry an iPod nano for music!

 

[Armen]

This is by far the most important point. Even if the Watch doesn't fully meet the wants of us long timers, if it gets more people concuss of their activity level and motivates then it will be a BIG win for all of us.

There is a human side to Apple as a company. People forget that. Like with the edition of the health research kit.

 

[czecho7]

This is by far the most important point. Even if the Watch doesn't fully meet the wants of us long timers, if it gets more people concuss of their activity level and motivates then it will be a BIG win for all of us.

Yea I definitely agree.

Sure there were rumors and disappointment surrounding dropped health features or lack of certain types of sensors, but Apple is definitely trying to market to everyone, not just those who already focus on fitness. So I think for now, for the majority of people, this could be a really great step in the right direction. If Apple Watch can help get the average person to become more mindful of their activity level, or lack thereof, that will be huge. And it can only get better as they improve upon the features in future Apple Watch generations.

 

[bushman4]

Apps being developed will give more fitness ability. However it's no going to have all the Fitness ability we read about

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

As much as I would like one, I can't find any justification to buy one. I have an iPhone 6+, and iPad Air 2, and a cMBP. I don't have any real social life, so those features would not be helpful to me.

I love your self description.

Also you can probably pair a BT HR strap with the Watch for increased HR accuracy. I'm anxious to compare the optical sensor to a HR strap but I'm not optimistic optical can come close.

The TomTom fitness watches already do this. You can already pair your HR strap with your iphone.

As a runner & triathlete, I do partially agree. The Apple Watch is definitely not (yet) a fitness watch. Just missing GPS alone makes that case true.

Having said that, I've found the optical HR sensor in my TomTom cardio watch to be quite accurate. It may not be perfect, but it definitely works well enough that I'd happily go without using a chest strap. Oh man did I hate wearing chest straps for measuring HR.

Also, I've used iPhones many times for runs, along with dedicated watches that have GPS. I've always found them both to be very accurate. There's no reason an iPhone's GPS isn't as accurate as any of these dedicated fitness watches.

I literally just came in from a 5km run, lol. I'm looking forward to future iterations of the Apple watch where it has GPS built in, along with full waterproofing for swimming . No more needing to wear my TomTom watch and carry an iPod nano for music!

I don't think it will have GPS built in for many years (if ever). It's such a battery drain.

 

[Ries]

Apps being developed will give more fitness ability. However it's no going to have all the Fitness ability we read about

Considering that there currently is no API for accessing any fitness features on the watch, what apps are you referring to?

 

[MH01]

Its worth giving it a try to see how it performs as a fitness tracker. I will give it a go for a week and see

 

[profets]

I don't think it will have GPS built in for many years (if ever). It's such a battery drain.

I bet it was one of the original sensors they wanted in there, based on that report recently. It feels like it from all the fitness marketing behind it, especially of people running.

I'm pretty confident with time it's something that will come. There's already some Android wear watches that have GPS.

 

[Cashmonee]

Considering that there currently is no API for accessing any fitness features on the watch, what apps are you referring to?

That can't be right. Please don't tell me that the Strava app they are advertising is just a portal to their activity log.

If this is true, then the fitness features are even more of joke than I thought.

 

[chabig]

I bet it was one of the original sensors they wanted in there, based on that report recently. It feels like it from all the fitness marketing behind it, especially of people running.

I'm pretty confident with time it's something that will come. There's already some Android wear watches that have GPS.

I don't think it will ever need GPS. It has Bluetooth. All we need is a Bluetooth GPS receiver with Bluetooth and software support. There are probably better places on the body for a GPS receiver too.

 

[DreamPod]

That can't be right. Please don't tell me that the Strava app they are advertising is just a portal to their activity log.

If this is true, then the fitness features are even more of joke than I thought.

No, the Strava app is running on the iPhone, with the watch displaying some of the information from it. So it's got the full features with tracking and everything, it's just running on the phone with the watch being a convenient way to view your progress and stuff.

 

[daflake]

The optical sensor use for Heartrate monitor are nowhere near the level of having a strap around your chest.

The majority of your post I agree with, however, I would argue this one a bit. I am an avid cyclist and use both Garmin (want a fenix 3) Edge 810 and as well as a Mio Link and will say that the mio is just as accurate if not more accurate in heart rate monitoring over a strap. The only downside to them is the length of the battery life, but it works really well and if Apple executes it correctly, it should be able to easily be accurate in its readings.

Still, I do agree that the Apple watch is probably not going to be a great sports watch but for the non-hardcore athlete it won't be a bad watch.

Here is a link to a Mio Link review.

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2014/01/mio-link-first-look.html

 

[Cashmonee]

No, the Strava app is running on the iPhone, with the watch displaying some of the information from it. So it's got the full features with tracking and everything, it's just running on the phone with the watch being a convenient way to view your progress and stuff.

Without heart rate though, correct? And if you don't have your phone, then the Stava app would be useless.

 

[Julien]

Without heart rate though, correct? And if you don't have your phone, then the Stava app would be useless.

You can have your HR (and probably much more accurately) by using a BT HR strap. You MUST have your iPhone to run ANY 3ed party Apps and right now the only native Apps are the ones supplied by Apple. Strava is a 3ed party App.

 

[profets]

I don't think it will ever need GPS. It has Bluetooth. All we need is a Bluetooth GPS receiver with Bluetooth and software support. There are probably better places on the body for a GPS receiver too.

That's an interesting thought. If it were to help battery in the early generations I'd even offload the HR monitor. Maybe a fitness accessory strap to be worn on the opposite wrist that holds HR and GPS sensors. Or maybe even a strap for the watch itself that can hold the GPS sensor and extra battery.

I still think if they push it for fitness use it'll need GPS. Many watches for fitness use all have GPS built in. There's so much marketing of people using it for running.

Anyway, they can limit it's use to specific activities so it doesn't drain the battery. Heck, I'm pretty sure the if the HR sensor was constantly running it would be taking a toll on battery life too.

 

[Ries]

Without heart rate though, correct? And if you don't have your phone, then the Stava app would be useless.

http://www.cultofmac.com/304258/apple-watch-apps-watchkit/

"Most of the Apple Watch’s marquee features, including heart rate monitoring and NFC, are off-limits."

 

[Cashmonee]

http://www.cultofmac.com/304258/apple-watch-apps-watchkit/

"Most of the Apple Watch’s marquee features, including heart rate monitoring and NFC, are off-limits."

Yeah, that is going to have to change fast. I know the Apple name means people will buy it without caring about features, but this thing just seems half baked.

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You can have your HR (and probably much more accurately) by using a BT HR strap. You MUST have your iPhone to run ANY 3ed party Apps and right now the only native Apps are the ones supplied by Apple. Strava is a 3ed party App.

Right. I guess then the question is why even bother packing in a heart rate monitor if it isn't accurate and 3rd parties can access it?

 

[FrankySavvy]

The Sport Edition 42mm.

lol

 

[FrankySavvy]

I dont think Apple is trying to compete with the high end fitness trackers. Their target audience with this watch is the everyman mostly, and if it can estimate calories and activity, as well as getting you to stand up more often and be healthier, that will have a bigger impact on society as a whole.

 

[daflake]

I dont think Apple is trying to compete with the high end fitness trackers. Their target audience with this watch is the everyman mostly, and if it can estimate calories and activity, as well as getting you to stand up more often and be healthier, that will have a bigger impact on society as a whole.

Totally agree with you there.