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Apple Fitness+

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Re: Apple Fitness+

#251

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Can't you see where they're going with this? Can you see the slippery slope you're invoking? Apple owns the operating system you use. That is where it stops in your example. They don't force ownership of software, the network stack, the gym you visit (lol), where you work, etc. Where's your head at, other than "ApPlE BaD"?

Apple owns your operating system, your hardware. It sells networking devices, printers, misc. peripherals. It offers service as software replacements, for email, file hosting, navigation, speech recognition. Apple has a marketplace for software. It has a marketplace for books. It has a marketplace for multimedia entertainment. It has its own tv. You can handcuff an apple device to your wrist, and let them own your wa…

> It sells networking devices, printers

They do not.

> It has its own tv.

The do not

> your fingerprints

Fingerprints never leave the device or stored in iCloud

Re: Apple Fitness+

#252

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apple owns your operating system, your hardware. It sells networking devices, printers, misc. peripherals. It offers service as software replacements, for email, file hosting, navigation, speech recognition. Apple has a marketplace for software. It has a marketplace for books. It has a marketplace for multimedia entertainment. It has its own tv. You can handcuff an apple device to your wrist, and let them own your wa…

> It sells networking devices, printers They do not. > It has its own tv. The do not > your fingerprints Fingerprints never leave the device or stored in iCloud

You're not paying attention

Apple NAS: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Apple-AirPort-Time-Capsule-2TB-St...

Apple 802.11ac wireless AP: https://www.priceblaze.com/me918ll-a-Apple-Network-Routers?r...

Apple TV: https://www.apple.com/apple-tv-4k/

I was wrong about printers though. They just have their own proprietary printer protocol in air print

And how do you know those biometrics stay on device? How do you know they will continue to stay on the device? It's not your kernel. It's THEIR kernel. They can do whatever they want.

Re: Apple Fitness+

#253

Earlier quoted context omitted.

With each new release, more and more parts of Android are reliant on proprietary Google APIs. It is known. If you remove everything Google from Android 19, you'll be surprised how little it can do.

Little as in what? You're being very vague. Do you want to use official Google Apps without the Google APIs? At least the OS is open source, but I can have a very functional device without needing gapps. Same with COS on their cloud platform. Apple is actively preventing users from even installing apps outside their app store.

I think by now it is common knowledge in anyone interested in this subject. A good place to start is this ArsTechnica post from 2013 (updated in 2018) [1].

One nice user on Reddit made a list [2] of AOSP apps replaced by Google:

Google Services Framework removed in 1.1, replaced by Google Play Services

Search removed in 1.5, replaced by Google

Music removed in 2.3, replaced by Play Music

Browser removed in 4.2, replaced by Chrome.

Calendar removed in 4.4, replaced by Calendar (G)

PinyinIME removed in 4.4, replaced by Google Pinyin IME

Gallery removed in 5.0, replaced by Photos (G)

Messaging removed in 6.0, replaced by Messages (G)

Camera removed in 6.0, replaced by Camera (G)

LatinIME removed in 6.0, replaced by GBoard.

Contacts removed in 7.0, replaced by Contacts (G)

Phone removed in 7.1, replaced by Dialer (G)

Clock removed in 8.1, replaced by Clock (G)

Calculator removed in 9.0, replaced by Calculator (G).

This extends to APIs too. For example, Android Location API [3] has a very nice warning on the documentation page:

> This API is not the recommended method for accessing Android location. The Google Location Services API, part of Google Play services, is the preferred way to add location-awareness to your app. It offers a simpler API, higher accuracy, low-power geofencing, and more. If you are currently using the android.location API, you are strongly encouraged to switch to the Google Location Services API as soon as possible.

To learn more about the Google Location Services API, see the Location API overview.

Hope I removed some vagueness left by my previous comment.

[1]: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/07/googles-iron-grip-on...

[2]: https://www.reddit.com/r/fossdroid/comments/c332yr/what_impe...

[3]: https://developer.android.com/reference/android/location/pac...

Re: Apple Fitness+

#254

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can try https://yoganotch.com - uses motion sensors to give feedback on yoga form

cool design! + I don't need to film myself while doing yoga. what is the accuracy?

Thank you! I am one of the founders, the accuracy will vary depending on how the person is wearing it, but regardless it will be well within clinically acceptable values for something like physiotherapy or rehab.

Yoganotch itself is new (2020) but we've been building these devices for a few years - have a number of peer reviewed papers published based on Notch (https://wearnotch.com/papers).

Re: Apple Fitness+

#255
post #63

They could have made this service a couple of years ago. Why now? I don't think it's a coincidence they announced this now in the midst of COVID. Apple has privileged AppStore data which it can use to identify trends. Then it can just throw a pile of money at making an even better product, with premium integration in the Apple ecosystem, and finally destroy the competition. I guess it can be argued this may be better…

You are incorrect about the time frame on which Apple operates. The working groups for this offering were forming in late 2018 at the absolute latest.

Maybe I'm wrong on the COVID thing, but it can't be denied Apple has access to privileged AppStore information much like Amazon does on its store.

Re: Apple Fitness+

#256

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If Apple did this for home workouts I would subscribe to Fitness+ in a heartbeat. I currently practice yoga at home, and the worst part is I don't have an instructor to correct my form.

You can try https://yoganotch.com - uses motion sensors to give feedback on yoga form

Actually it takes a minute to put four sensors on and calibrate your posture before class. I’ve used it since my gym shut down in March, and do not plan to return there any time soon. This sensor kit with the free app with cool classes totally transformed my practice with respect to the depth, focus and effectiveness. Imagine having a private teacher who is paying attention to you, measuring your posture in Asana, gives you immediate feedback and praises you when you do it right... and it costs a fraction of $ you would pay for your private session. None of the big fitness brands come even close to this technologically. It’s a future of home yoga practice whether some may resist “invasion” of tech in yoga or not.

Re: Apple Fitness+

#257

I wonder how Fitbit plays into this all. Can they even realistically compete against the behemoth that Apple is at this point?

I believe the strongest points for Fitbit are its looks of a discrete non fancy fitness tracker with long battery. My mum didn’t even want to hear about Apple Watch, she just wanted something that counts steps.

Re: Apple Fitness+

#258
post #200

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would prefer the market be more diverse. I spend a fair amount of time on fitness and haven't found any tracking app that floats my boat -- Apple's being especially awful from a UX perspective in my opinion -- and I'd really like to think that if I come up with a better idea, I won't have to subsidize Tim Cook's latest vertical takeover with 30% of my indie revenue, or worse: my customers' indie revenue. At the ris…

Your personal trainer doesn't have to pay a 30% cut to Apple.

Are you sure?

Say I make a training platform that does some interaction (one-to-many as is quite typical of training) and also handles the payments as well as tracking etc.

As I understand the rules "I" will have to give 30% to Apple in that case, but if my business model is fine with say 5%, won't she (the trainer) effectively pay the rest?

https://marco.org/2020/09/11/app-review-changes

Re: Apple Fitness+

#259

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Little as in what? You're being very vague. Do you want to use official Google Apps without the Google APIs? At least the OS is open source, but I can have a very functional device without needing gapps. Same with COS on their cloud platform. Apple is actively preventing users from even installing apps outside their app store.

I think by now it is common knowledge in anyone interested in this subject. A good place to start is this ArsTechnica post from 2013 (updated in 2018) [1]. One nice user on Reddit made a list [2] of AOSP apps replaced by Google: Google Services Framework removed in 1.1, replaced by Google Play Services Search removed in 1.5, replaced by Google Music removed in 2.3, replaced by Play Music Browser removed in 4.2, repla…

Android Location API uses Google services to provide better location data using Wifi hotpsots and other devices. I wouldn't expect to be able to use Google services without Google. You don't have to use it and get accurate results without it as well.

As you can see they also provide examples of alternative apps that can be used that do not rely on Google, or you can install F-Droid and use apps from the open source marketplace that are open source as well.

This is much more than Apple, who won't even let you install apps outside their app store. While it would be nice for Google to open source their apps as well, they aren't necessary and there are plenty of alternatives and phone manufacturers who have built their entire reputation on providing an alternative to the Google experience while using Android.

Re: Apple Fitness+

#260

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Your service looks pretty cool, but there are a few things preventing me from using it: 1) Not having a live instructor is both a blessing and a curse, but largely a blessing for us introverts - I'm not comfortable with somebody watching me work out. But maybe I'll give Mixpose a shot when the AI option is released and has had time to mature. 2. I can't personally justify the high cost of the Mixpose service - an act…

Great feedback. We are not in the VOD business since it's just too competitive and there are a lot of great free contents on Youtube already. Fitness+ is only using Apple Watch.

Yeah, probably a good call to not try to compete in the fitness VOD sphere, it seems to be a very quick race to the bottom. For the record, I do think your offering is a good and innovative solution to the issue of wanting to workout in the comfort of your own home but also wanting in-person classes and personalized training - I just don't think it's for me, personally.

> Fitness+ is only using Apple Watch.

While this is currently true, my original comment was stating that Fitness+ would be worth it to me, for $10/mo, if Apple were to make an integrated movement tracking system using multiple devices, as the comment I replied to posted.

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