Hi everyone,
Coming from a xiaomi Mi band I had high expectations for the Sony watch's ability for fitness & activity tracking (steps, calories, distance, time, sleep). However, it has become clear that there seems to be no all-in-one solution available (yet). Since fitness & activity tracking for me is important purpose of this watch I decided to share my experiences with you and hope you will share yours with me. I will try and keep my experiences updated with the latest developments.
All-in-one
Currently there seem to be no apps availabe that are able to track activities, sporting sessions and sleep.
Sleep
Currently the only available working sleep tracker for the Smartwatch 3 seems to be Sleep as Android.
+ Tracks light sleep, deep sleep and time awake
+ Option to rate your sleep and use hashtags to add information like whether you drank alcohol, etc.
+ Detects snoring and wakes with vibration
- No automatic registration, needs to be manually started and stopped
- Heavy on battery, +/-25% per night
- Paid app
Update 24 september: somehow jawbone up seems to have a global way of sleeptracking. It will ask you every dat to conform your sleeping hours, which it seems to do pretty accurate. However no detailed sleep statistics.
Steps & activities
* Jawbone up
+ very nice interface & overview
+ converts steps into time and distance
- no sleep tracking
* Google Fit
- less nice design than jawbone
- inaccurate synchronisation of steps
- no conversion to time & distance
* Lifelog
+ very extensive tracking, not only fitness but also social activities, listening music, etc.
- cluttered design
- drains smartphone battery
- sleep tracking doesn't work for SWR50
Running with android wear & GPS integration
Endomondo
+ great interface
+ shows small map on watch
+ shows signal of GPS strength, does very accurate gps tracking
+ customizable views
- type of activity has to be set on smartphone
Runkeeper
+ simple interface
- Doesn't show GPS strength
- Type of activity has to be set on Phone
- Synchronisation of session time with Runkeeper Phone app is bugged (See update)
Ghostracer
+ simple interface
+ shows GPS strenght
+ interfaces with Runkeeper and/or Strava
+ activity type can be set on watch, but limited to running and cycling.
- Synchronisation of session time with Runkeeper Phone app is bugged (See update)
Update 24 september: I figured out that the differences in session times were caused by different algorithms/setting for auto pausing. So turning autopause off will fix the 'problem'.
My apps of preference are currently: Jawbone Up, Sleep as Android and ghostracer (syncing to runkeeper and strava).
I'm looking forward to reading your experiences with fitness apps on the Sony Smartwatch 3 and any additions to the app list are ofcourse very welcome!
I have been using fit and sleep as android. The latter does have wake detection but does not turn on and off automatically. To get that, you need to use tasker, but I have not wanted to do much with that because I have been working with my battery life.
I have noticed that sleep as android uses about 20-40% of my battery power.
I am on the latest update with tilt to wake on (but I sleep in theatre mode, the snorting detection still works well with that on), but WiFi on. As of now, I am using the stock kernel.
With all of that, I am getting about 30 hours of battery life.
Try also Sony Lifelog App. But GFit and LifeLog often fail to properly detect your activities.
Check out the UP app by jawbone. Works pretty well.
Sent from my SM-N910V using XDA Free mobile app
Updated the topic start with my experiences so far.
sinvida said:
Updated the topic start with my experiences so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank your for your detailed report !
I tried Jawbone Up and tracked my steps, but they differ from watch to phone. Can you please compare and tell me if they are the same ?
example today:
SW3: 4039 steps (40%)
Phone: 7341 steps (73%)
It seems like the phone tracks the steps itself but I disabled tracking at the first start of the jawbone app, so it should not track, only the watch should....
Please check it, thank you !
pietropizzi said:
Thank your for your detailed report !
I tried Jawbone Up and tracked my steps, but they differ from watch to phone. Can you please compare and tell me if they are the same ?
example today:
SW3: 4039 steps (40%)
Phone: 7341 steps (73%)
It seems like the phone tracks the steps itself but I disabled tracking at the first start of the jawbone app, so it should not track, only the watch should....
Please check it, thank you !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Pietropizzi,
I compared my steps in the smartwatch with the jawbone app and they matched 1:1. Do you have the up app with the purple icon?
sinvida said:
Hi Pietropizzi,
I compared my steps in the smartwatch with the jawbone app and they matched 1:1. Do you have the up app with the purple icon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I do, I paired my watch at the first start and disabled steps tracking on the phone app. Thats strange....
edit : I rechecked the setting and saw that the motion sensor of the phone was activated. I disabled it now and will recheck the correct sync tomorrow !
Thanks for checking!
sinvida said:
Updated the topic start with my experiences so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disabled Google fit and am now using Jawbone Up for steps counting as you suggested. It's working very well and it seems very accurate at the moment.
I connected my new jawbone account with MyFitnessPal to sync burned calories disabling my Withings pulse Ox activity tracker sync.
I am using Sleep as Android for sleep tracking too and have prepared music, bluetooth headset and the Adidas X_cell heart rate band to work with Ghostracer.
The only thing missing is my first "smartphoneless" run
Thank you for sharing your experience
RolandCruise said:
I have prepared music, bluetooth headset and the Adidas X_cell heart rate band to work with Ghostracer.
The only thing missing is my first "smartphoneless" run
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you pair ghostracer with strava or runkeeper? In my experience synchronisation with runkeeper is buggy... Curious if it works well with strava.
I just made a 30 secs try at home and it uploaded to runkeeper without any problems. I hope I can try everything tomorrow during a run and then upload of the right amount of data. I'll report back here
Inviato dal mio SM-T325 utilizzando Tapatalk
sinvida said:
Do you pair ghostracer with strava or runkeeper? In my experience synchronisation with runkeeper is buggy... Curious if it works well with strava.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I figured out why the synchronisation was off. It was due to the way different running apps, such as ghostracer, runkeeper and strava deal with auto-pause. They all seem to use different algorithms explaining the differences. If you leave auto pause off in all maps than synchronisation from ghostracer to runkeeper/strava matches 100%. Problem solved!
Also a little update on jawbone up. It does seem to have some way of sleep tracking. Every dat it ask me to conform if I slept from x to y hours and mostly its pretty accurate. However no detailed sleep analysis. So sleep as Android is still required.
My experiences.
I'm using UP by Jawbone as my Fitbit replacement. I'm using Ghostracer on my watch to record runs, which is does using the onboard GPS, I have some concerns about its accuracy however. I run a 5k parkrun every Saturday, which for months my Garmin watch has recorded at 4.8 kms long, my watch Runkeeper tells me it's 5.2 kms! I tried Endomondo on the watch, but it seems to keep ending my run without my pressing any button!
I upload run data to Strava, which works well.
If you have a load of friends who compete against each other using Fitbit etc - then matchup (a website) allows you (And users of other fitness bands) to compete against each other.
Ghostracer works the best for me out of all the apps for running and it exports to runkeeper which is cool.
sinvida said:
Do you pair ghostracer with strava or runkeeper? In my experience synchronisation with runkeeper is buggy... Curious if it works well with strava.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use SW3 and upload all my ghostracer tracks to stravia. So far, it works flawlessly.
Matter-of-factly, FITSO (A new fitness app) is pretty decent for fitness activities. It has all the basic as well as premium features of Strava, Runkeeper, Runtastic etc in its free version (doesn't have a paid version yet).
I think you guys should give it a try. Here's the link for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jogo.play
iOS users can search on their own
I only use the watch for tracking my running with Endomondo.
I have been using Endomondo since late 2012. Until Nov. 2015 on my phone and then on the watch. It has so fare been working flawless, and actuality the GPS tracking seem to be more accurate on the watch than on the phone.
sinvida said:
...
Runkeeper
+ simple interface
- Doesn't show GPS strength
- Type of activity has to be set on Phone
- Synchronisation of session time with Runkeeper Phone app is bugged (See update)
Ghostracer
+ simple interface
+ shows GPS strenght
+ interfaces with Runkeeper and/or Strava
+ activity type can be set on watch, but limited to running and cycling.
- Synchronisation of session time with Runkeeper Phone app is bugged (See update)
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also...
Runkeeper:
* does not show heart rate stats on AW
* does not allow customization of AW display
Ghostracer:
* displays heart rate stats on AW display
* allows customization of AW display
I also have noticed that there is big difference of the running reading with the watch and the phone. For example, I ran 2km. on my phone (using Nike running app), and on my phone it was 1.65km. I don't know which device to trust. But your opinions here are great and helpful.
Looking for a simple app to watch heartbeat?
Using a bluetooth brest strap like Polar H7?
An alert if the heart rate is too slow or too fast is usefull and necessary?
Works standalone?
Look here Heart Rate - Sport Gear + Wear :good:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pnn.android.sport_gear_tracker
Related
Just got my first smartwatch, the 360, yesterday.
Is there an app for tracking running/cycling without having to carry your phone around?
The Google Fit is very basic and gets calories very wrong when it comes to cycling. And Endmondo doesn't support standalone tracking for the 360 (would that becaome available with 5.1.1?). There are loads of apps in store but I can't install and check them all, anyone know of any?
Thank you
bv90andy said:
Just got my first smartwatch, the 360, yesterday.
Is there an app for tracking running/cycling without having to carry your phone around?
The Google Fit is very basic and gets calories very wrong when it comes to cycling. And Endmondo doesn't support standalone tracking for the 360 (would that becaome available with 5.1.1?). There are loads of apps in store but I can't install and check them all, anyone know of any?
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
RunKeeper https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fitnesskeeper.runkeeper.pro&hl=en
rsalas187 said:
RunKeeper https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fitnesskeeper.runkeeper.pro&hl=en
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is a phone app wich works with phone GPS and you need satellites in view. Just send data to wear screen but not a Wear Fitness app. It do no use the watch sensor
Cinch. Good app by an XDA dev.
David
rsalas187 said:
RunKeeper https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fitnesskeeper.runkeeper.pro&hl=en
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, I tried it and it doesn't use the watch.
DaveTN said:
Cinch. Good app by an XDA dev.
David
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This one just takes HR every so often in "work out" mode, the only option on the watch.
I may be asking too much. Maybe with 5.1.1 update we'll see more (some) standalone running apps.
The watch has no GPS, and not the right kind of sensors to determine a distance traveled. All you would get out of an app on a watch is time and heartrate sensor recording.
Smartwatches are not powerful, they work by offloading anything they can to the phone.
I use RunKeeper for my runs and have my phone with me. Since the Moto 360 does not have GPS no GPS app will work on the watch without a phone.
For a stand alone app I have found that UP by Jawbone does a good job tracking activity. If I walk inside at lunch time it will notice I was active and ask if I did an activity and then will calculate the steps into what that activity was. It has like 20 different activities including cycling. I have found that the step count comes pretty close to calculating the correct distance for running or walking, but will not be as accurate as GPS.
Here is the thread on how to link your watch to UP!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-360/general/how-to-log-steps-to-fitness-pal-moto-t2997158
Hi
I just bought the Smartwatch 3, I installed Runtastic Pro. I went for a run, left the phone at home, hit go for a run on the watch, but it did not track my run, but the watch did track estimated calories, what do I need to do to start GPS and have it map my run?
I think runtastic uses the phone. You need an app that uses the watch GPS. A lot of people like ghostracer. Check out the general thread.
Sent from my KFTHWI using Tapatalk
Use Ghostracer, tracks it all
Used Ghostracer yesterday, worked flawlessly, and Google Fit also displayed my activity
Hi there,
I just got a Huawei Watch active. I want to use the watch as an activity tracker wich tracks my activity and if possible also my heart rate occasionally. I want to synchronize my burned calories with myfitnesspal.
Right now I got UP By Jawbone and Google fit. I use Google fit as main platform to collect all my sport tracking etc However, up and Google fit does not synchronize with each other.
Does anyone know a good app or good app setup so I can :
- daily activity tracking
- sleep tracking (sleep like android?)
- sport tracking (crossfit)
- heart rate measurement
- correct calorie counting
Thanks!
Yay! Someone who is actually using it as activity tracker. Me too. It seems most folks could care less.
Anyway, I tried several heart rate apps and settled on Perfect Cinch. It doesn't do constant (which kills battery anyway) but you can set it to check at different intervals. There is a two week free trial and it's worth paying for after that.
Sleep for Android seems to be the best app for that function.
I also use Fit, Up, and Huawei Wear. Still trying to see best combination of what works.
And there is an app called Fithub that will sync various apps into one.
Hi everyone,
I recently heard about these fitness/health/sleep-tracking wristbands that are apparently able to grep your heart frequency, log it and also wake you up while you're not in deep sleep state to make you less tired in the morning.
Before accepting that being tired constantly and dependent on caffeine injections to the heart is my life now, I'd like to try that out and see where it leads.
Has anyone of you tried one of the billion devices for this purpose and can recommend something? My main issue is that it A) needs to work properly, but also B) needs an app that is halfway decent at least. I'm grateful for any hints.
Kind regards!
NovusDeus said:
Hi everyone,
I recently heard about these fitness/health/sleep-tracking wristbands that are apparently able to grep your heart frequency, log it and also wake you up while you're not in deep sleep state to make you less tired in the morning.
Before accepting that being tired constantly and dependent on caffeine injections to the heart is my life now, I'd like to try that out and see where it leads.
Has anyone of you tried one of the billion devices for this purpose and can recommend something? My main issue is that it A) needs to work properly, but also B) needs an app that is halfway decent at least. I'm grateful for any hints.
Kind regards!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sleep as Android is a great app I've been using for over a year now. It has great integration with Android Wear watches, Xiaomi Mi Bands (Requires external paid app but it's worth it.) and some more trackers (Full list here, https://sleep.urbandroid.org/documentation/integration/wearable/). I personally use the Xiaomi Mi Band 2.
The app detects if you're in a deep sleep or light sleep and wakes you up when it thinks you're light sleeping. It also has compatibility with Philips Hue Lights to simulate a sunrise. It gives you advice on how to improve your sleep, prevents jet lag and oversleeping and much more. I highly recommend this app.
Sleep As Android:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.urbandroid.sleep&hl=nl
MI band 2
I know Fit Bit watches can track your heart rate but I am not sure if it can wake you up..... But if you are interested in running or jogging or walking or basically just being active, you can get Fitbit to track your heart rate and daily steps.
Hello guys, anyone using the watch at gym?
I'm searching for a way how it should be useful for workout.
Today I did 24 different exercises at the gym but none was recorded.
How it should be used as a fitness tracker?
Finally any application for tracking the stats? Samsung health is pretty weak at this.
bill_viper said:
Hello guys, anyone using the watch at gym?
I'm searching for a way how it should be useful for workout.
Today I did 24 different exercises at the gym but none was recorded.
How it should be used as a fitness tracker?
Finally any application for tracking the stats? Samsung health is pretty weak at this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only around 6 exercises are automatically tracked and you have e to switch on that tracking as it is not enabled by default.
You have to manually record your gym sessions I'm afraid.
Doktaphex said:
Only around 6 exercises are automatically tracked and you have e to switch on that tracking as it is not enabled by default.
You have to manually record your gym sessions I'm afraid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh I see, so there's no automation for the exercises. And it's pretty hard to switch them on when you're on 1 minute exercise and no rest between all of them.
The watch looks nice but is very bad for sports tracking. I play soccer and there is no track for that with this watch. I tried with "other workout" option but is very inaccurate
Bliko777 said:
The watch looks nice but is very bad for sports tracking. I play soccer and there is no track for that with this watch. I tried with "other workout" option but is very inaccurate
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can Try Map My run - but best is gear tracker ( has corrections) - app like polar.
I just use mine at the gym to track my heart rate so using the "other workout" to track it is fine. Everything else seems to be redundant.
Does anyone know how to change the number of reps for the exercises? I think it's set at 10 reps by default?
The us an option for circuit training and it will give continuous reading
Sent from my SM-T830 using Tapatalk
I'm curious as I do weight training also, I tried using 'Other workout' and "weight machine' but I find that it's continually adding calories burnt whilst in between sets (1 min rest). Has anyone found the best way to track weight training without having to pause/resume the workout?
Have a look at the STRAVA app for the galaxy watch, this app brings more possible workout scenarios to the watch.
Try GymRun. It allows you to configure your workout with sets, reps as well as rest periods on your phone, and then you can sync with watch. Excercises will appear in the same order on your phone, and rest timer will begin automatically as soon as you press on "set completed" button. You will also be able to change how many reps/sets/pounds you did directly from the watch (you get to enter estimations on your phone). It costs 5 USD but worth the money in my opinion (Beware to not but the premuim version on mobile because that is a completly different thing). If you want something that would count the reps for you, you can use the embeded app for that, but like others said you have to start it manualy each time.