Category Archives: Apps

Aug 20 2013
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Apps, Kit, Running, Wireless

Former Nike Fitness guru joins Apple – iWatch on the way?

Jay Blahnik is making the big move to Apple from Nike

Apple has hired fitness industry consultant Jay Blahnik, who previously worked with Nike in developing the FuelBand health monitor, and is expected to help create a similar product for Apple.

Sources claim that Blahnik began working with Apple earlier this month, amid speculation that the iPhone maker will soon announce a wrist-worn device dubbed iWatch to act as a fitness monitor and companion accessory to the iPhone.

Blahnik is recognised as one of the most successful fitness instructors in the industry, having taught classes in over 30 countries; he was chosen as one of the top five instructors in the world by Shape Magazine, and Men’s Health lists him as having one of top ten workouts of all time. His profile on Indorow.com says Blahnik has consulted with Nike, Apple, Starbucks, General Electric and other Fortune 500 companies.

Previous experience in combining fitness with technology includes being a Nike consultant for almost 20 years, during which time Blahnik worked closely on the launch of Nike+Running, which became the largest digital running community in the world.

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Aug 18 2013
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Apps, Running, Walking

MapMyFitness adds integration for Nike FuelBand and Jawbone UP

The MapMyFitness app is available for both iOS and Android

Exercise tracking platform MapMyFitness will now support two popular wearable fitness bracelets: Nike’s FuelBand and Jawbone’s UP.

The new integration, announced Thursday, strengthens MapMyFitness’ already lengthy list of supported and compatible devices that can sync fitness data with the popular platform. MapMyFitness (free for iOS and Android)  is a platform supporting apps that utilize GPS technology, so you can map and share your workout routes. The flagship standalone apps are MapMyRun and MapMyRide, for running and cycling, respectively.

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Jul 27 2013
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Apps, Running, Walking, Wireless

Nike introduces Nike+ Challenges to let out your inner Rocky

Nike has this week released a new update to its Nike+ Running app for iOS. Dubbed Nike+ Challenges, The app update, version 4.3, introduces social challenges into the mix, enabling runners to invite their fellow Nike+ enabled friends to run and compete in an old-fashioned race.

Challenges also lets runners communicate with each other mid-race via group chats. This is a great way for racing runners to trash talk a little or alternatively deliver some words of encouragement and inspiration.

Challenge your friends and race to the top of the leaderboard

To start a challenge, simply set a distance, a duration and invite your friends. Each time you triumph, you’ll earn a medal, which can then, like Nike+ Fuel, be logged on the app.

Naturally, the feature monitors everyone’s progress and encourages friendly competition through leaderboards and medals. Users can put together one-off races or see who can hit 100 miles the quickest.

The update is out to download now – so get racing with your friends!

[Via Engadget]

May 14 2013
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Apps, Around the web, Events/Races, Running

Around the web – this week’s recommended reading

Some midweek titbits to tantalise and hopefully inspire…

Nike Who? Runtastic Boasts 25 Million Mobile Users – We covered their partnership with Pebble last week, but Runtastic’s app seems to be going from strength to strength. The company has just announced its hit 25 million mobile users – as much as Nike+ (11 million as of February) and RunKeeper (14 million) combined. Its website, Runtastic.com, also has 10 million registered users. (Mashable)

How wearable tech Is changing running – A great feature on how wearable technology is transforming running, from simple pace trackers and heartbeat monitors to newer devices such as the Nike Fuelband, which is taking exercise into the 21st century. Stay tuned for much more on this area on TR.org soon…(Allvocies.com)

World’s oldest marathon man, 102, can’t imagine life without running shoes – And finally, an inspirational and brilliant interview from CNN with Fauja Singh, who hit the headlines after becoming the world’s first 100 year old marathon runner. Now retired, he talks to CNN about how he took up running in his late 80’s, and what tactics kept him going. (CNN)

May 08 2013
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Apps, Lust List, Wireless

RunKeeper app coming to Pebble smartwatch

Together at last

RunKeeper and Pebble yesterday released an integrated app for iOS and Android that turns the Pebble smartwatch into a personal trainer, allowing runners to keep track of their activity and providing a detailed analysis of their performance.

The Pebble smart watch, which was made hugely popular when it raised more than $10 million on Kickstarter last year, can finally display real-time fitness information related to workouts, giving users a way to stay connected without constantly needing to check their smartphone.

Users can also control music and manage incoming messages, calls and notifications directly through the device. Developers can get their hands on a software developer’s kit (SDK) to introduce more apps to the device.

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Apr 23 2013
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Apps, Kit

Runtastic’s new biking apps should be all you need to get back in the saddle

Time to get out on the road

Time to get out on the road!

Having trouble motivating yourself to get out – even in the new sunny weather? Got a new bike for Christmas that’s just been sitting collecting dust in your shed or hallway? Then the folks at Runtastic might just be the answer, especially if you’re up for a bit of biking.

The company has today announced the release of two new apps, alongside some new kit to accompany it in the shape of the Runtastic Bike Case, and the Runtastic Speed & Cadence Sensor. Launching for the first time on Android, and with new features on iOS, the Runtastic Road Bike and Mountain Bike apps are aiming to transform your smartphone into the best cycling computers on the market.

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Apr 18 2013
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Apps, Events/Races, Running

Kinomap app lets you run the London Marathon from the safety of your own living room

This Sunday sees the biggest running event in the UK, the Virgin London Marathon. But for those of us unlucky enough not to have got a place in the race, there is still a way to take part in the race – and you don’t even have to head to the capital.

Kinomap Trainer is a tool that offers geolocated videos and GPS routes uploaded by other users for you to run, row or cycle from the comfort of your own home or gym.

Place yourself in the midst of the marathon – from the comfort of your bedroom

In the case of the London Marathon, you can strap your iOS device to a running machine (similar to the Zone Dome we featured recently) and try to match the pace and running experience of the video as it was originally recorded along the 2012 event. An overhead view will also show an icon travelling along the route.

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Apr 04 2013
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Apps, Kit, Lust List, Running

Fed up with the snow? Zone Dome will transport you away to run in the sun

If all the snow and cold recently have been making you feel unmotivated, then Running Unlimited have just the piece of escapist kit for you.

Kind of like a mini wrap-around cinema for runners, the Zone Dome features a 1.5 metre wide dish-shaped screen, which you can clip onto a treadmill and transport yourself to wherever in the world you wish. The dish hooks up to an app on your iPad, allowing you to choose your location, distance, and speed.

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Mar 02 2013
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Apps, Around the web

Around the web: the weekend’s recommended reading

Ten of the best running documentaries – It’s still getting dark early, so once you’ve finished your long run this weekend, why not put your feet up and relax with these inspirational classics? Our favourite is the incredible Dean Karnazes and his ultra-marathon feats. (Guardian)

8 Fantastic Fitness Apps to Keep You Motivated – We’ll be reviewing a few of these next week after we’ve had the weekend to play around with them – but here’s a quick overview of some of the best fitness and running apps out there at the moment! (Mashable)

China Holds Its Second Underpants Jogging Event in Beijing – And finally…something a bit different – an underpants-only race in Beijing. (Rocket News 24)

Happy weekend!

Feb 25 2013
2 Comments
Apps, Uncategorized, Walking, Wireless

Qualcomm launches Wireless Walking Challenge with American Heart Association

Qualcomm has announced that its Qualcomm Life division is kicking off a Wireless Walking Challenge in collaboration with the American Heart Association (AHA) at Mobile World Congress 2013 this week in Barcelona.

Qualcomm Life and the American Heart Association are working together to launch the Wireless Walking Challenge to encourage people to increase their physical activity in order to ultimately improve their heart health and attendees of Mobile World Congress have the first opportunity to compete in this global challenge.

To participate, attendees can download their choice of an mHealth app, including MapMyFitness, Noom or RunKeeper, or leverage a pre-owned activity monitoring device, including Body Media, or Fitbit, to track their steps throughout the conference. The mHealth apps and devices are connected to the Wireless Walking Challenge app via the 2net Connect APIs so participants’ steps are automatically updated and reflected in the app leaderboard.

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