New Apple Watch Update Lets Siri Control Your Workout Apps
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Meet your new personal trainer, Siri. September marked the first time Siri could complete tasks that involved entering a third-party app on iPhone and iPad. Now, that same feature is debuting with the latest Apple Watch update this week, a spokesperson for Apple tells SELF.
Until now, Siri's Apple Watch capabilities have been limited to tasks that involve Apple-created apps, like sending text messages, making phone calls, checking the weather, navigating on Maps, setting alarms, and starting a workout with the Watch "workout" feature. Anything that involves opening a third-party app was off limits. With the Apple Watch update released today, you can now ask Siri to do more complicated tasks like make a payment, book a ride, and start or stop a workout that uses an app. It's a big milestone for her.
This means that you can conveniently start, stop, and pause specific workouts without needing to take out your phone or tap your Watch. Just call on Siri with the "Hey, Siri," command, and tell her which app workout you want to do. (Note: Commands may vary depending on the specific app.)
While the software update is available today, you may not notice this new feature immediately after updating your Watch. Once the Apple Watch software update is released, each individual developer will need to update their apps to include this integration. Apple anticipates it may take some third-party apps a day or two, as many developers have the updates ready and they will just need to be officially launched.
Apple gave SELF a preview of some of the workout apps you can now rely on Siri for. The company confirmed that right now there are nine apps that have the Siri integration ready to go when the Apple Watch update comes out (or very soon after). But it won’t be long before many more developers will get onboard. Until then you can try it out on any of these:
Fitso: Fitso supplies workout and meal plans based on your specific fitness goals, and uses a calorie counter and step data to track your progress. Pause and resume your workout with Siri on Apple Watch to help further streamline your regimen.
mySwim Pro: Create customized workouts, track your swim, and monitor improvement with detailed analytics in the mySwim Pro app. Start tracking your swim with Siri without even needing to tap your wrist.
RunGo: RunGo allows you to create routes in a matter of seconds, and then run them with GPS voice navigation. With Siri integration on Apple Watch, you'll be able to start, stop, pause, and resume your runs using voice commands.
Seven: Seven guides you through quick and effective workouts that you can do anywhere, offering motivation and positive reinforcement along the way. Ready to start your workout? Try: “Hey Siri, start today’s weight loss workout with Seven.”
Slopes: Slopes helps you track and record your best days on the mountain—monitoring speed, vertical, distance, and lift vs trail time. Start, stop, pause, and resume recording with Siri while your phone stays warm and safe.
Streaks: Streaks keeps you motivated to reach your long-term health goals, and reinforces positive habits along the way. Siri’s in-app debut allows users to quickly begin and resume workouts so you can stay in the zone.
Zones: Zones monitors and visualizes your exercise intensity throughout your workout. Skip the sweaty finger struggle and start and stop your workout with Siri.
Zova: Zova helps you stay active with fitness motivation and guidance. iPhone tucked away in your pocket? No sweat—control your workout with your biggest cheerleader, Siri.
Ace Tennis: This new Apple Watch app hasn't been released yet, but is confirmed to include the Siri integration when it releases soon. Ace Tennis helps tennis players improve their serves by hitting the ball at the apex of their swing, at maximum force.
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This story originally appeared on Self.
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