Another day, another stupid bug from Apple.
Apple Watch is erroneously awarding some users February challenge in January
Fitness
Apple’s new internal fitness challenge includes this unique Apple Watch band as a prize
For Apple's second annual internal Activity challenge, a new prize will be included for those who earn the gold. A custom black nylon strap with an activity ring-themed loop that won't be available for purchase.
For the second year in a row, your Apple Watch will issue New Year Activity challenge
For the second year in a row, Apple will issue a New Year workout challenge to Apple Watch wearers through the built-in Activity app and an upcoming wrist notification.
GymKit launches in New York City ahead of a wider rollout in 2018
Following its debut in Australia in November and subsequent expansion in the United Kingdom last week, Apple's all-new GymKit platform for wireless workout data sharing between Apple Watch and compatible cardio machines has now officially arrived to New York City.
Apple Watch GymKit launches in UK, certain cardio machines can be upgraded to support it
Following its worldwide debut in Australia last month, Apple Watch's GymKit feature launched Friday in the United Kingdom at London's Virgin Active gym near Mansion House.
watchOS GymKit goes live in Australia
Apple's GymKit has now made its worldwide debut in Australia, with Fitness First in central Sydney becoming the very first gym globally to offer this feature which brings fitness buffs connected workouts with cardio equipment.
How to automatically silence all calls and notifications on your iPhone and Apple Watch during workouts
Learn how to automatically silence notifications for incoming calls, texts, and more on your Apple Watch and iPhone during workout sessions.
Latest HomePod firmware discovery: skiing workout for Apple Watch
The unreleased HomePod firmware that Apple “accidentally” published on its servers this past weekend has become a real treasure trove of information about not only iPhone 8 and the speaker itself, but also new fitness features that are possibly coming to Apple Watch.
As noted by MacRumors, a new skiing workout has been unearthed from the HomePod files.
How to segment your Apple Watch workout mid session
In this tutorial, we will show you how to use the Segments feature of the Apple Watch Workout app to divide your active session into multiple splits.
Apple celebrates America’s national parks with Apple Pay donations & Activity challenge
From July 1 through July 15, Apple is donating $1 to the National Park Foundation for every purchase made with Apple Pay at any Apple Store, on apple.com or through the Apple Store app for iPhone and iPad in the United States.
Apple Pay is accepted at select locations in some of the most popular national parks, from Yellowstone and Yosemite to the Grand Canyon and Muir Woods National Monument.
Proceeds will support the National Park Foundation’s mission to help protect and preserve national parks through conservation projects and other initiatives, as well as inspire the next generation of park enthusiasts with enriching youth programming.
According to CEO Tim Cook:
America’s national parks are an inspiration to us at Apple, and we know they are as important to many of our customers as they are to us. Our goal is to leave the world better than we found it, so this July we’re making it easier for anyone to help preserve the beauty of our natural, cultural and historical treasures.
Apple Watch owners who complete a walk, run or wheelchair workout of 3.5 miles (about 5.6 kilometers) on July 15, which matches the length of a hike from Old Faithful to Mallard Lake in Yellowstone National Park, will earn a special badge in the Activity app and unique stickers in the Messages app for iPhone, inspired by national parks.
Apple adds that App Store will soon highlight a collection of “some of the best apps to help users easily navigate and explore the country’s most beautiful national parks.”
Workout app gaining support for 2-way gym equipment sync, multiple workouts in a single session & more
Apple's Kevin Lynch, who is in charge of the watchOS software, said at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference today that the stock Workout app for Apple Watch will be gaining some much-needed new features. For starters, you'll be able to connect your watch with a number of gym equipment in use today.
With support for multiple workouts, users can easily start a workout session like an outdoor walk, then switch to another workout such as an outdoor run. Apple is working with major gym equipment manufacturers responsible for about eighty percent of equipment in use in gyms today.
watchOS 4 will feature two-way data change in real-time with supported gym equipment. Your watch will send things like your heart rate to, say, the treadmill machine, while getting info like the distance and pace from the machine.
The user interface for the Workout app has also been reworked to be easier to use, with bolder headings and easier to select workout sessions.
The Pool Swim workout now has auto sets, a feature that automatically marks each set that you’re doing. Calisthenics buffs will be pleased to learn that the Workout app in watchOS 4 will be gaining support for a new workout type: Hight Intensity Interval Training, the most popular workout in the world.
These new features will be part of watchOS 4, which will be released as a developer-only preview later today and this fall for public consumption.
Nike’s new sneaker-matching Apple Watch bands now available for purchase
A significant number of new Nike Apple Watch band colors are now available for purchase from Nike’s Website, signifying an expansion of the Apple/Nike partnership.
The four new colors are intended to match that of Nike's Air VaporMax Flyknit 'Day to Night' shoe lineup, giving users a way to match their tech to their shoes in style.