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magicMac

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Apr 13, 2010
1,019
439
UK
I've been told from a very reliable source that the watch will be able to measure approx. walking/running distance (although not location - like on a map). The way this works is the steps tracking via the iPhone's M8 is calibrated against the GPS of the phone to building a walking distance figure as seen in the health app and this calibration is sync'd to the watch every so often.
 
Apple has stated it can measure distance but you'll need to use the iPhone if you wish to map/record your run (or walk).

My MS Band has a GPS and can track my distance with the GPS or without. If without, it some how computes the steps. I assume the apple watch will do the same.

Why use the watch for running when you have to include your iPhone on the run - seems silly to me.
 
Apple has stated it can measure distance but you'll need to use the iPhone if you wish to map/record your run (or walk).

My MS Band has a GPS and can track my distance with the GPS or without. If without, it some how computes the steps. I assume the apple watch will do the same.

Why use the watch for running when you have to include your iPhone on the run - seems silly to me.

what i meant was that the watch can measure distance without the iPhone, it only requires the iPhone to plot the run on a map.
 
I've been told from a very reliable source that the watch will be able to measure approx. walking/running distance (although not location - like on a map). The way this works is the steps tracking via the iPhone's M8 is calibrated against the GPS of the phone to building a walking distance figure as seen in the health app and this calibration is sync'd to the watch every so often.

It will use steps to try to calculate distance. I would suspect it will be about as accurate as tracking calories burnt without using heart rate. In other words, not accurate.
 
I've been told from a very reliable source that the watch will be able to measure approx. walking/running distance (although not location - like on a map). The way this works is the steps tracking via the iPhone's M8 is calibrated against the GPS of the phone to building a walking distance figure as seen in the health app and this calibration is sync'd to the watch every so often.

Yes, you will get the distance, pace, and calories burned. All the things Strava gave me on iPhone minus route. I can live with that. How accurate it is? I'll plan to measure it myself. :)
 
A better way to say it might be:

The aWatch App will estimate your distance/steps (since you can't measure with an accelerometer).

With the iPhone paired you can measure your distance.

If the aWatch/App allows you to calibrate the accelerometer to your stride length and you run at a consistent pace plus consistent arm movement you MAY get fairly accurate results. Just how far off you are willing to accept may be a determining factor. Also Apple may not offer calibration which could then be more of a 'crapshoot' on accuracy.
 
Yes. In a nutshell the iphone learns your average stride and this gets sync'd to the watch in order to build an estimate distance when working out without the phone.
 
Yes. In a nutshell the iphone learns your average stride and this gets sync'd to the watch in order to build an estimate distance when working out without the phone.

In running your speed is determined by your stride length (walking you generally increase your cadence so not a problem). So as you speed up your steps per mile decreases. This is the main problem with estamatiing running distance using accelerometers.
 
Looks like the info I received was correct! According to the workout app guided tour video, the watch is calibrated using the GPS in the phone.
 
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