Walking Route Calorie Estimator Removed From Google Maps After User Criticism

[MacRumors]

Google is removing an experimental calorie estimator from its Maps iOS app, following criticism from users that the feature amounted to unsolicited health advice and could do more harm than good (via TechCrunch).

The feature began rolling out to some users last week and shows an estimate of the calories that would be burned if a selected walking route was taken.

The calorie estimator not only displayed the potential number of calories burned, but also how many "mini cupcakes" they were worth. "The average person burns 90 calories by walking 1 mile," the app states. "To help put that into perspective, we've estimated how many desserts your walk would burn. One mini cupcake is around 110 calories."

Some users reportedly welcomed the feature, but it sounds as if a good proportion of them didn't, as Google has taken the decision to roll it back "based on strong user feedback".

Why does @googlemaps have a "Calorie Tracker" built into directions I take now? Could be triggering for ppl with past ED.At least have 'off' pic.twitter.com/aNEHk346jg - 👻Nuclear Summer🕸 (@sweetbabyruski) October 14, 2017

I guess Google maps now automatically shows you how many calories you'd burn if you walk somewhere instead of driving pic.twitter.com/eixqCh00rn - Taylor Lorenz (@TaylorLorenz) October 17, 2017

Some user criticism related to an inability to disable the feature, while others questioned its usefulness, given that rates of calorie burn vary widely from person to person, and no context is given about how the estimate is calculated.

Critics also noted that an excessive preoccupation with calorie counting is a symptom of anorexia and other eating disorders, therefore getting calorie estimates every time a route is looked up could have a negative impact on sufferers.

Google Maps can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link] For those who found the calorie estimator feature useful, other calorie-counting apps are available, such as CityMapper and MyFitnessPal.

Article Link: Walking Route Calorie Estimator Removed From Google Maps After User Criticism

 

[Stella]

Nice idea in practice.

It’s a guide based upon an average person. There are various ways to calculate calories too... This is just a basic measure. This can be useful just use this correctly.

Some cupcakes have calories of over 500!! No 45 minutes walk will cover two!! LOL!

People do need more exercise, eat healthier. Costs due to overweight costs health services significant amount of money. Just walking or cycling even for 30 daily minutes can make a ton of difference

 

[2268473]

Some people are too precious to be allowed out by themselves in this world. People need to move more - if they can get somewhere by walking for 10 or 15 minutes, they'll probably feel better for it.

 

[576316]

That seems really inappropriate as a feature within Google Maps. Hmm.

 

[Prabas]

Muh condishuns!

People are getting triggered by such things?

 

[maflynn]

On paper, it sort of makes sense, but in practise, its useless. People's pace, weight, metabolism all factor in how much calories are burned up. I think overall, its a useless feature.

 

[JosephAW]

People have more anxieties about remaining battery life with iOS 11 than cupcakes.

 

[eiprol]

And what is the problem with this feature exactly? Are people really getting triggered by this? Not sure if it's a US-thing, but I'm astonished with all that criticism, and even more with the fact they had to remove it.

And for those saying "it's nor reliable nor precise", let me tell you something: your daily trackers are not either. It's not about that.

 

[gabriel193755]

Muh condishuns!

People are getting triggered by such things?

It's 2017. People will get triggered by this comment of yours.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Jeez Louise. Why are people so unable to view something for what it is? It's just twisted people are upset that a notation of calories in combination with food and exercise somehow leads to people opting to become anorexic rather than maybe a better understanding of how much exercise is required to burn off food. Anorexia is a disorder that is triggered by something far worse than an app, an app that probably could encourage more people to walk to destinations if they have the time. Anorexia is a serious issue but so is obesity and the general lack of exercise.

 

[Jimmy James]

I went on a 3 cupcake walk yesterday.

 

[Verita]

Muh condishuns!

People are getting triggered by such things?

This question just triggered me

 

[decimortis]

I'm all for experimental features in apps, but for the love of god add the ability to disable it.

 

[ILikeAllOS]

Look at the horrible design of that Google Maps app!
The bottom and especially the thick top border must waste at least 50% of the screen estate!

 

[Nagy Dávid]

I am triggered by people who are triggered by the smallest things. Can we get rid of them as well?

 

[JohnApples]

Muh condishuns!

People are getting triggered by such things?

People here still get triggered every time there’s an emoji or watch band article. This doesn’t surprise me in the slightest.

 

[Verita]

And what is the problem with this feature exactly? Are people really getting triggered by this? Not sure if it's a US-thing, but I'm astonished with all that criticism, and even more with the fact they had to remove it.

And for those saying "it's nor reliable nor precise", let me tell you something: your daily trackers are not either. It's not about that.

Hypersensitive America, but Europe led the way here!

 

[840quadra]

I like the idea, just put in a toggle for people.

But then again it’s Twitter. People complain about how fast their own hair grows on that service.

 

[err404]

I like the feature. Just make it a toggle that is default off. The “unsolicited” complaining goes away and I still get to use the feature.

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

Removed for now. They're still testing it though and it will very likely return.
[doublepost=1508243692][/doublepost]

On paper, it sort of makes sense, but in practise, its useless. People's pace, weight, metabolism all factor in how much calories are burned up. I think overall, its a useless feature.

All types of devices make assumptions. Nearly every machine in the gym does. It may have you enter your weight but without entering height, BMI, and other information, it's only guessing at calories burned. We have studies showing all personal fitness devices aren't totally accurate (including the Apple Watch, though it was the closest to reality).

Total accuracy isn't the point. It can be a totally arbitrary number like Nike Fuel Points. The purpose is to encourage people to push a bit and reach a goal. To get some exercise and do something positive for themselves. The exact numbers don't matter. The activity itself does.

 

[jezbd1997]

Muh condishuns!

People are getting triggered by such things?

I can tell you that people with an ED or recovering from one will be very easily triggered by this.
[doublepost=1508244241][/doublepost]

Jeez Louise. Why are people so unable to view something for what it is? It's just twisted people are upset that a notation of calories in combination with food and exercise somehow leads to people opting to become anorexic rather than maybe a better understanding of how much exercise is required to burn off food. Anorexia is a disorder that is triggered by something far worse than an app, an app that probably could encourage more people to walk to destinations if they have the time. Anorexia is a serious issue but so is obesity and the general lack of exercise.

I think it's more an issue for someone WITH an ED or someone that's recovering.
I can tell you that it would be very triggering for those people!

 

[Keane16]

I like this feature.

It's was a guide - if we want to get picky about accuracy, the estimated number of minutes it displays can be classed as "useless" as we all walk/drive at different speeds. I also imagine obesity costs society way more than anorexia/EDs do.

I guess a simple calorie estimate would've been better than the whole cupcake angle they tried though.

I also wish they would also take note of the "strong user feedback" for AMP and get rid of them too.

 

[KillerScoregasm]

Definitely not accurate since I eat cupcakes and walk at the same time..

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I think it's more an issue for someone WITH an ED or someone that's recovering.
I can tell you that it would be very triggering for those people!

Fair enough. But it's a big world with lots of people with lots of issues that trigger them. We can't cater to everyone's issue or we'll end up with nothing. Furthermore, there are far more food and weight related "triggering" billboards and TV ads in open view than this app. I mean seriously every time I see that Marie Osmond ad *I* feel the need to barf.

 

[indyandy]

CityMapper had this feature for years. Too bad it had to be taken down.