This runner ’s idea of heaven is strapping a 38 mm Apple Watch Sport to my articulatio radiocarpea , throwing on a Bluetooth headset , and hitting the Prospect Park loop completely unencumbered .
But my hopes were dart when I recognise during Monday ’s Apple Watch case that some key fitness feature of speech wo n’t work if I run without my iPhone 6 . The Watch ’s heart rate sensor and accelerometer work on their own , and the aboriginal Workout app can track unlike kinds of workouts that do n’t require GPS . All of that data can later on be synced with your earphone if you exercise without it .
An iPhone companion
On Monday , Apple took the wrapping off new Watch app cooperator , include fit tech caller like Nike , Runtastic , and Strava , which will traverse your exercise progression on your carpus . It ’s a far more convenient place to see your current pace than having to unlock your phone and fumble through various screens .
The Nike+ campaign app for Apple Watch require an iPhone nearby to function .
You ’ll be able-bodied to openRuntasticon your Watch before you set off on a running and the app will display upper , distance , footstep ( an all important stat ) , and how many Calorie you ’ve combust at a glance . Your friends can send you cheers for a boost of encouragement during your exercising . The app also makes utilisation of the Watch ’s notice to expose your weekly number . TheNike+ Running apphas exchangeable Watch functionality . you may even connect your Bluetooth headset to the Watch and jell your pace with high - swiftness jams .
But you ’ll still involve your iPhone with you for most of that to do work . Apps ca n’t tap into the data your Watch collect without the iPhone , and the Watch does n’t have GPS to give you a complete picture of your actual running route . App developers also do n’t have access to the Watch ’s sensors ( yet ) , so they ca n’t design new feature around them that would make the Watch even more utilitarian .
The respectable intelligence : you’re able to thrust in a 30 - minute of arc workout with Bluetooth music playback and the Workout app pass on the Watch and it wo n’t completely drain your bombardment . The twist will still last a full 18 hour , accord to Apple ’s tests . you could also salt away up to 2 GB of music on the Watch , or about 200 songs , which is plenty for a long run . you could set up the Watch ’s music warehousing choice in the Apple Watch companion app for iPhone ( now uncommitted as part of Io 8.2 ) .
A better fitness tracker
The Apple Watch is much more than a glorified fitness tracker , which justifies the Sport model ’s higher monetary value point compare to other isthmus from Jawbone , Fitbit , and the like , and it ’s also much more stylish than those bulky rubber wristbands . But to tap into its full potential , you have to run with your iPhone — and as someone who already does that , I can tell you it ’s not exactly convenient ( or prosperous ) .
Christy Turlington Burns is using Apple Watch to trail for a battle of Marathon . Her iPhone must be in her fanny pack .
Runtastic CEO Florian Gschwandtner said the Apple Watch is a “ nice compounding ” between standard running watches and the iPhone that will only help improve seaworthiness tech in the long run . Runtastic makes its ownfit technical school devices , but Gschwandtner is n’t interested that Cupertino will make his products irrelevant .
“ If we see Apple is pushing that much energy into fitness , that just shows that it ’s such a big affair , ” he said . “ Overall that assist the developers that are working in health and fitness . ”
Android Wear did n’t fend for GPS ab initio , either , though now it does , and some Android smartwatches have GPS bake into the computer hardware to take advantage of that financial backing . It ’s possible that Apple will add that capability to the next - gen Apple Watch . Until then , I ’ll be dream of an Apple Watch Sport that displays my tread , spunk charge per unit , and mileage ; storage my favorite gamy - energy playlists ; sends quick replies to my boyfriend when he asks when I ’m coming back ; and lets me apply Apple Pay for an iced coffee on the walk back to my flat — all without feature to persuade my bulky iPhone in my nonexistent running game - pants pocket . Hey , a lady can dream , right ? I ’ll see how my dreaming compares to reality when Macworld gets its ownApple Watch on April 24 , so stay tune up .
