So what exactly can the Watch do in terms of fitness (cardio) without an iPhone?

[jonhoy]

When I upgrade to the inevitable 6S Plus or 7 Plus I do not want to bring that thing on runs. For instance, I'll run for a distance and then walk for a distance, then run, walk, run walk, etc. Will the Watch be able to differentiate between walking and running?

 

[Mavik]

It can’t record mileage on its own because it needs the GPS in your iPhone, however it seems that the Watch can "learn" how you move :

You may have heard that you can't hit the road without your iPhone, because the Watch needs the GPS tracker to dial in the distance. In the beginning, this is true. (The Watch was wildly off for pace and distance the first time I went out for a run without my phone.) But according to Apple, the more I work out with my iPhone and the Watch, the more it will learn my personal movement, and dial in accuracy, so in a couple weeks, I won't need to bring my phone with me. I noticed this start to happen after a couple of runs. But without GPS dedicated, runners will likely miss the map functions that provide more granular data like elevation gain, altitude, or an actual map of a run. If those same runners don't really care if their smartwatch looks overtly stylish or whether it can juggle their calendar and push notifications, they might be better off with a traditional sports watch with GPS built-in, like the Garmin Fenix or Fitbit Surge.

http://www.mensjournal.com/gear/electronics/my-week-with-the-apple-watch-20150408​

 

[ACE83]

It can’t record mileage on its own because it needs the GPS in your iPhone, however it seems that the Watch can "learn" how you move :



http://www.mensjournal.com/gear/electronics/my-week-with-the-apple-watch-20150408​

After a few runs with your phone it can record mileage on its own, just not a map. Just like the iPhone (5S and above) can record mileage with the GPS off.

It can also track walking and "other" workouts without the phone, like playing tennis or yoga.

Tracking cycling requires your iPhone.

You should be able to swap activities between running and walking without issue.

 

[gwynne]

I've been assuming (note "assuming") that in the absence of GPS it acts like a Fitbit, tracking based on motion sensing. Hoping it does the same on a treadmill.

 

[jonhoy]

Hmm, I have an iPhone 5 right now so "teaching" the Watch wouldn't be a problem. Whether the Watch remembers what it learns when it switches to a new phone remains to be seen...

I guess no one really knows what happens then.

 

[dandrewk]

I know it records steps without the iPhone, but what about heart rate? Will it log bpm over time, if out walking/running, and then syncing to the phone when back in range?

 

[ACE83]

I know it records steps without the iPhone, but what about heart rate? Will it log bpm over time, if out walking/running, and then syncing to the phone when back in range?

Yes and yes. It will sync back to the activity app and health app on iPhone once back in range.

 

[caramellhoney]

Im most interested in this aspect as well. I hope I'm not disappointed. Right now I'm using a fitbit one with my iphone. I'm not really sure how I feel about motion sensors you wear on your arm. I've always thought my fitbit one that I clip on my chest has been more accurate.

 

[zacheryjensen]

Im most interested in this aspect as well. I hope I'm not disappointed. Right now I'm using a fitbit one with my iphone. I'm not really sure how I feel about motion sensors you wear on your arm. I've always thought my fitbit one that I clip on my chest has been more accurate.

This is why the watch alone won't give estimates at first. It calibrates with factual data from GPS from your first series of runs.

That said, Apple Watch is really only going to be a middle of the road solution to fitness tracking. Way better than nothing, way better than a typical fitbit, but, nothing compared to a ForeRunner 220 or something for a runner. Personally, I'm excited for the fitness stuff in ancillary roles, but, my primary physical activity is cycling and no way is any phone, watch or similar multipurpose device going to replace my Garmin Edge 810 any time soon. Which is fine, I still have plenty of use for the watch on my rides anyway. Looking forward to it, in fact.

 

[applegeek97]

Watch Gen 2= GPS function

 

[extricated]

Watch Gen 2= GPS function

Definitely hoping for that! Hope they will have the associated battery drain issues worked out by then.

 

[zacheryjensen]

Watch Gen 2= GPS function

Not a chance.

Gen 2 will be exactly like gen 1 but with as much as 50% improved battery life by way of a faster CPU, probably a focus on a new metal casing as well for the fashion element, and a lot of celebrating the continued compatibility with bands.

Gen 2 will be all about reducing the adoption anxiety and not alienating Gen 1 customers in the process.

But, to get better battery there will be other upgrades which will no doubt be touted independently. For example, having a faster CPU, but, continuing to throttle regular activity will increase battery life, but, there will still be the usual touting of doubling speed or whatnot. So it will seem like there's more to the upgrade than just battery life.

When we can get through a day AND night and have some power to spare, then I would not be surprised to see GPS added, amongst other things. That's why I think it'll be a wait until gen 3 or later. And history has shown us that Apple is perfectly happy to leave out tech for the sake of basic battery life requirements. Don't believe me? Just look at LTE adoption. Battery life is the reason they didn't adopt it earlier on.

That's where I'd put my chips on this bet, anyway.

 

[Julien]

Not a chance....

While maybe not in your opinion, there is a chance. Even if Apple currently has no plans for GPS in Gen 2 that could change.

Also I'm concerned as to what the Watch Workout App's post analyzation capabilities are. Where is the iPhone App to display your post workout info? Where are the after workout graphs displayed like HR, speed, laps, elevation, cadence and.....? How do you view post workout maps (outdoor running/walking/biking/...)? Can you export an industry standard GPS or TCX files of your workouts?

None of this is obvios from the in store demo's or any reviews.

 

[tkermit]

I'm concerned as to what the Watch Workout App's post analyzation capabilities are. Where is the iPhone App to display your post workout info? Where are the after workout graphs displayed like HR, speed, laps, elevation, cadence and.....? How do you view post workout maps (outdoor running/walking/biking/...)? Can you export an industry standard GPS or TCX files of your workouts?

None of this is obvios from the in store demo's or any reviews.

It's pretty obvious to me at least that the built-in Workout app isn't going to include any of that functionality...

 

[Julien]

It's pretty obvious to me at least that the built-in Workout app isn't going to include any of that functionality...

Yes, I'm seeing that too but this is very BASIC fitness info. What is the point of recording your HR (or Maps or Cadence or...) if you can't go back and see what it was?

 

[docal97]

Watch Gen 2= GPS function

I hope so, but i doubt it. GPS really uses a lot of battery, and i'm not sure if the watch will be able to handle this by Gen. 2. Probably similar to why we don't have FT on the watch either, which would seem like a natural fit. Battery life.

I normally run with my 6+ which is very bulky to hold in your hand over a several mile run. I was hoping to do away with that when I got the watch, but I will still need to have both to take advantage of GPS data, witch the Nike Running app uses.

 

[zhenya]

While maybe not in your opinion, there is a chance. Even if Apple currently has no plans for GPS in Gen 2 that could change.

Also I'm concerned as to what the Watch Workout App's post analyzation capabilities are. Where is the iPhone App to display your post workout info? Where are the after workout graphs displayed like HR, speed, laps, elevation, cadence and.....? How do you view post workout maps (outdoor running/walking/biking/...)? Can you export an industry standard GPS or TCX files of your workouts?

None of this is obvios from the in store demo's or any reviews.

I don't think Apple is really intending on being the source of those analysis tools. The Health system seems to be intended primarily as a 'hub' where data is to be aggregated, then handed off to other apps for the analysis.

I guess one question is whether they provide a way to export that data manually, or if they only allow it to interface directly with another program (you should be able to get the data from that program however).

I too don't expect to see GPS in the watch itself for at least a couple of generations. The size and battery life constraints are too onerous right now - although for me personally, the lack of GPS is a deal-breaker as I'm not willing to carry my phone with me on every run.