Introducing StepTracker 1.2 for the M7 Motion Co-processor

[j-a-x]

Hey MacRumors, I just wanted to introduce you to the latest update of my iOS app for the iPhone 5S, StepTracker. StepTracker is a personal pedometer app, similar to a minimalist FitBit. It simply shows you your step count each day you have carried your iPhone with you.

There are some neat new features in the most recent version of StepTracker including background app updates which will show you how many steps you have taken or the percentage completion of your daily goal on an app icon badge. There's also an in-app purchase now which will disable the iAds.

Please check it out at the link below, and I'd appreciate it if you could give me some feedback about the app.

thanks!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/steptracker/id714439468?ls=1&mt=8

 

[Tommeh]

I'll give it a go, installed. Am I correct in assuming that the app does not have to be running (not even in the background) to count steps?

 

[j-a-x]

Thanks for giving it a try. You are correct, the app doesn't need to be running to display the step count. It can even update the badge icon in the background without running if you wish. Weird, I know, but when an app registered for the "background app refresh" service, the refresh is run even if the app isn't running. The background refresh task is very efficient and doesn't use a lot of power, thanks to the M7.

Your feedback would be greatly appreciated!

 

[dzneyfan]

Data Usage and apps like mapmywalk

I have Mapmywalk and Pedometer> My question is do these use my data plan every time? And how does my app and the Steptracker work? If the phone is in my purse how does it sense the steps? All steps are different ? Like so many others I have limited Data I would like to run these types apps all day but don't want to g over my usage.
Thanks

 

[j-a-x]

I'm not sure about the others but StepTracker uses no data, but it needs an iPhone 5S to work properly.

The iPhone 5S has a special processor dedicated to measuring motion data and it is running continuously and independently from your phone, so while your phone is locked in your purse the motion chip is still doing its thing, and when you unlock your phone it downloads its data into the phone's operating system. The M7 uses some fancy algorithms that Apple doesn't disclose to determine if you are walking/running/stationary/driving. All I can say about the algorithm is it seems to work very well... at least as good as a FitBit.

 

[j-a-x]

Hey guys,

I just wanted to let you know my app was just updated with Game Center support, so now you can view global leaderboards and see how many steps other users have taken, challenge a friend to a step competition etc. Check it out on the app Store.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/steptracker/id714439468?ls=1&mt=8

 

[j-a-x]

In case you guys are interested, here are a few of the new features in the works:

•Storage of unlimited step data rather than just 7 days.
•Annotations of step data - i.e. you can add a comment which says what you did on a particular day to explain why your step count might be low or high.
•New leaderboards for best daily score, and best average step count rather than just an overall best score of all time.