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mikecosentino

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 11, 2012
19
3
Are third party running apps (Nike+ for example) able to update the exercise and calorie ring? Is a built-in workout the only thing that can update those rings?
 
I thought if an app interacts with the Health app then thats where the rings pull its data from.
 
Great, been wondering how to start using Strava again for cycling. Wasn't sure if it ports the data to the activity ring as workout.
 
I use Nike+ GPS for running (works well on the watch). It updates the exercise ring. I'm not sure HOW it does that. If it pushes to exercise, or if exercise just "knows" I'm moving faster than a brisk walk, or of it gets it from Health. But it works.

I've only had Watch a week (42mm SG Sport). On my last run, using the Nike I discovered that my tapping the screen it would change what I saw on the pace screen. The lower, smaller font number always stayed as pace, but tapipng changed the larger (easier to read while moving) number from distance to time to pace. This is a cool feature.

I'm actually hoping in future upgrades you can customize the tapping. Make it advance to the next song or make music louder.
 
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There is no api or sdk to interact with the rings as far as I have researched. (if anyone knows different, I would love to know!)

However, anytime your moving at a brisk walk, or even aggressively cleaning the house, they update.

But if for example you leave your watch at home, and go for a jog that records a run, like run keeper, it won't update the activity ring, as your watch _itself_ didn't detect that you were being active.

This is something I hope changes in future releases of WatchOS/Activity App.

Cheers
 
There is no api or sdk to interact with the rings as far as I have researched. (if anyone knows different, I would love to know!)

However, anytime your moving at a brisk walk, or even aggressively cleaning the house, they update.

But if for example you leave your watch at home, and go for a jog that records a run, like run keeper, it won't update the activity ring, as your watch _itself_ didn't detect that you were being active.

This is something I hope changes in future releases of WatchOS/Activity App.

Cheers

I'm impressed with how many features and usefulness there is currently on the Watch and apps on the Watch. However, it is clear, they have just scratched the surface of what is coming and what will be available.
 
The Workout app doesn't update the exercise ring - they work independently. The exercise ring simply fills up by monitoring your HR and adding time when it goes above a certain level. Doesn't therefore matter whether you use the native Workout app or a third party running app for these purposes.
 
The Workout app doesn't update the exercise ring - they work independently. The exercise ring simply fills up by monitoring your HR and adding time when it goes above a certain level. Doesn't therefore matter whether you use the native Workout app or a third party running app for these purposes.

I'm going to say yes and no here. Technically they work independently, but as far as I know, third party apps aren't allowed to update the frequency of the heartrate monitor, therefore some activity is more likely to be "missed" when you aren't using the native workout app.

That being said, I've been using Runkeeper and the native workout app simultaneously and have yet to run into any issues.
 
I am curious about this as well. For instance. I use Endomondo regularly and have for 3-4 years now. I have been hoping to continue to "log" my data there due to its interactions with HEALTH and MYFITNESSPAL (which is seems to pull data from perfectly). However, the "exercise ring", even when doing activities other than "brisk walking" (i.e. my cycling commute), won't log as part of the ring activity (other than when the watch itself "samples" your activity rate regularly). Kinda stinks.

I haven't tried Apple's own workout app but really would like this to be a function of "the watch". Endomondo seems a bit buggy as well. I haven't been able to start workouts on it. Sometimes it doesn't connect to the app/phone app, etc.

Here is to hoping that updates help.

Joe
 
I've had success using both the workout app and my normal workout app at the same time. My only complain is that the Watch workout app only shows one bit of information at a time (as opposed to multiple metrics simultaneously) and that the 3rd party apps don't update in anywhere near real time. So neither work well as glance-able information while I ride -- using two hands while riding a mountain bike to switch views is not practical.
 
I used Nike+ and it updated my exercise ring. It didn't take my heart rate constantly like if I had used the Workout app, so I think it's safe to say that it doesn't use your heart rate solely for updating exercise ring. I would agree with the post that if an app writes workout data, it will update exercise ring.
 
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