Apple Introduces Walk Duration Feature in Fitness Tracking
Earlier this month, whispers about a new feature surfaced in the iOS 14.4 beta, hinting at Apple's plans to introduce guided walks to their Fitness+ service. And now, it's officially here! Apple's rolling out a feature called "Time to Walk," offering users a fresh take on fitness by integrating celebrity voices and personal stories.
Don't get too excited about lacing up your running shoes just yet, though. Time to Walk is more about soothing strolls, as opposed to pounding the pavement at breakneck speeds. This feature won't feature the Fitness+ coaches you're used to; instead, it'll star big-name celebrities, such as country music icon Dolly Parton, Shawn Mendes, Orange Is the New Black star Uzo Aduba, and NBA player Draymond Green. Each episode will focus on the guest's life-shaping moments, accompanied by a playlist curated by the guest themselves, sprinkled with photos that pop up on your watch during specific moments.
Apple reports that the episodes will range between 25 and 40 minutes, and new guests will step into the spotlight every Monday until the end of April. It's unclear if Time to Walk will continue past that date, but one thing's for sure – once episodes are downloaded, you won't need any cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity to enjoy your stroll.
Okay, picture this: while ambulating to the rhythm of Shawn Mendes' tunes, images of the pop star appear on your wrist. Sounds intriguing, right? But wait, there's more! Wheelchair users are not left out in the cold. Time to Walk will be accessible for all, re-labeled as Time to Push and automatically tracking Outdoor Wheelchair Walk Pace workouts.
To indulge in this celebrity-led stroll fest, you'll need an Apple Watch Series 3 or later, an iPhone 6S, iPhone SE, or later, and your device should be running at least watchOS 7.2 and iOS 14.3, respectively. Fitness+ is available in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the U.S., so check if your country made the cut before getting too excited.
Subscribing to Fitness+ is essential to unlock Time to Walk. Existing Apple Watch owners can enjoy a one-month trial, while those who've recently purchased an Apple Watch are eligible for a three-month trial.
Once you've checked off all the prerequisites, simply navigate to the Time to Walk section within the Fitness+ app and select an episode. The app will track your metrics and provide real-time feedback, including heart rate and other relevant data as you meander along.
The new feature,Time to Walk, is exclusive to Apple Watch Series 3 or later and iOS 14.3 or higher devices, indicative of tech requirements for the future. This feature, integrated into Fitness+, is rumored to continue past April, adding to the anticipation about the future of technology and health. With Time to Walk, wheelchair users can also participate, demonstrating Apple's commitment to technology that caters to all.
