Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Just for curiosity, how hard it would be to recode the app in Swift?
Very. It is the result of 6 years of full-time coding. Converting the user interface aspect to SwiftUI is feasible (but still a lot of work) but converting the whole app to Swift would take years. It's not worth the effort, especially as the languages can co-exist within a project.

If Apple have made it so that the action button can only be accessed via a Swift-only framework that designed for much more complex functionality (which would be a very bad design decision) then I will need to start including Swift code in the app now (when there is a hurry), instead of as part of the SwiftUI conversion (which I will take my time over).

I am hoping that isn't the case though. The App Intents framework looks very well designed so they are unlikely to have made such a bad design decision. However I haven't seen any other way to do it yet, so it may actually be the only approach.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mauki
I am beginning to wonder if they will publish anything at all. They produce some fantastic videos about how to use the new watchOS 9 and iOS 16 features at WWDC in June, giving devs 3 months to include them in apps. However they rarely publish anything in September when devs only have a few days between features being announced and devices being released.

I understand why they can't mention anything in June that would give away the hardware in September. But the Ultra was announced 3 weeks ago and has now been in people's hands for 5 days and yet they still haven't even published an article on how to code for it, let alone a video or sample code.

I found this blog, which is useful for how to do it via App Intents, but it isn't official and seems overkill just to detect a button press:


App Intents is also Swift-only, which won't be a problem for most developers but will probably make it harder for apps like WOD, which is written in Objective C.
WOD is in Objective C ????
wow …
I am waiting to add support for this button in my app. App intent can be interesting, but not for in app actions like pause/resume or mark a segment …
 
WOD is in Objective C ????
wow …
I am waiting to add support for this button in my app. App intent can be interesting, but not for in app actions like pause/resume or mark a segment …
Yes, I started coding it in 2016 when Swift was only a couple of years old and still unstable. If it had been a year or two later then I might have decided differently but so far it hasn't caused any problems. But recently Apple have been supporting it less and less, which is understandable. Not being able to use it to detect a button press would be a bit ridiculous though!
 
I know this is an English forum, but do you plan to translate this awesome app into other languages as well. My father, for example, speaks English very poorly and would be very happy about a translation into German
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mauki
I know this is an English forum, but do you plan to translate this awesome app into other languages as well. My father, for example, speaks English very poorly and would be very happy about a translation into German
If the app becomes successful then I may hire someone to sit next to me and translate it.

I often get people offering to help (which I greatly appreciate) but it needs access to the code to repeatedly try translations until they fit on all 7 of the small watch screens. So it can't easily be done remotely.

To be honest at the moment I am totally focussed on the Ultra action button followed by the always on display and improving the navigation. I know from experience that translating takes a long time and I can't spare that time at the moment.

Sorry about that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mauki
I came across this app after getting an Ultra watch and being disappointed with the lack of map features. Anyway, the app is just great so far but I have one issue:

- I have my one cycling screen setup with the "water lock" button but it doesn't seem to do anything? Anyone have a suggestion for why it's not working?

Thanks!
 
I came across this app after getting an Ultra watch and being disappointed with the lack of map features. Anyway, the app is just great so far but I have one issue:

- I have my one cycling screen setup with the "water lock" button but it doesn't seem to do anything? Anyone have a suggestion for why it's not working?

Thanks!
Sorry about that. I think that there is a bug in watchOS on the Ultra which stops the water lock being enabled by a third party app.

I don't know for sure because I can't see anyone else mentioning it on social media, but the code hasn't changed (it is literally one line) and it works fine on other models.
 
Sorry about that. I think that there is a bug in watchOS on the Ultra which stops the water lock being enabled by a third party app.

I don't know for sure because I can't see anyone else mentioning it on social media, but the code hasn't changed (it is literally one line) and it works fine on other models.
It does seem like a bug. If I start a workout and navigate to the "commands" area in settings, the water lock also doesn't work there either.

Anyway, thanks for the quick response. The app is great!
 
  • Like
Reactions: cfc
Hi! Just wanted to say, after reading and hearing so much about your app, I finally decided to download and Wow! It didn't disappoint! I've only used it a couple of times, and while I'm less bothered about the metrics, I love the map and navigation features. Having the map on your wrist while hiking is a game changer! So thanks so much for your work and for being so active in getting feedback and making the app better.
My only very very minor gripe, is some of the icons on the app are low res (or are displayed low res) . I'm just a bit to anal about those things, so it's more of a "me" problem. 😂
Thanks so much and I look forward to the action button and navigation updates! 🥳
 
Hi! Just wanted to say, after reading and hearing so much about your app, I finally decided to download and Wow! It didn't disappoint! I've only used it a couple of times, and while I'm less bothered about the metrics, I love the map and navigation features. Having the map on your wrist while hiking is a game changer! So thanks so much for your work and for being so active in getting feedback and making the app better.
My only very very minor gripe, is some of the icons on the app are low res (or are displayed low res) . I'm just a bit to anal about those things, so it's more of a "me" problem. 😂
Thanks so much and I look forward to the action button and navigation updates! 🥳
Glad you like the app. I do need to improve some of the icons at some time. Graphic design is certainly not a strong suit of mine!
 
Today I was out and about with my racing bike and the BLE speed sensor and the power meter worked perfectly with your app.

But I noticed a small mistake. The watch has repeatedly issued an excessive volume alarm. This was of course due to the wind. Can it be that there is still a bug in Watch OS? With the internal app, such a message never came.
Thank you
 
  • Like
Reactions: cfc
Today I was out and about with my racing bike and the BLE speed sensor and the power meter worked perfectly with your app.

But I noticed a small mistake. The watch has repeatedly issued an excessive volume alarm. This was of course due to the wind. Can it be that there is still a bug in Watch OS? With the internal app, such a message never came.
Thank you
Glad that the speed and power sensors worked well.

Do you mean the watchOS noise notifications for alerting you when there is a very loud noise? No-one has ever mentioned those to me before. They are controlled by watchOS and completely out of the control of the app. Sorry about that. Maybe there is some sort of focus setting that may help?
 
I read about the volume warnings while biking just a day ago. As I have switched off this feature, I did not notice. But seems something changed in watchOS 9 that triggers these alerts more often now.
 
Yes it was the watch OS noise notification. I drove about 2 hours and the message came 5 times.
 
I read about the volume warnings while biking just a day ago. As I have switched off this feature, I did not notice. But seems something changed in watchOS 9 that triggers these alerts more often now.
That is interesting. I have Googled and it does seem that people are complaining that the noise sensing is now too sensitive. Unfortunately that is out of the control of the app.
 
Yes it was the watch OS noise notification. I drove about 2 hours and the message came 5 times.
You can always switch the alerts off, or if you need them then you might want to complain to Apple. If enough people tell them the alerts are too sensitive then they may do something.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mibra
Hi guys.

I am new here, and I would like to ask about a thing that is very important to me. I am considering switching from Epix to AW Ultra and snce there are no maps on AWU, the WorkOutDoors is my only option and the answer to following will be a deciding factor. I use the watch for hiking and the most important things for me are: maps, "up ahead" and "climb pro".
Is it possible (during navigating on previously uploaded gpx route) to set the custom screens with:
1. The distance to waypoints set in gpx file (like shelter in 3km, summit in 5 km and end of route in 7km)
2. An altitude profile (how much is left to climb/descend)? In numbers or in graph.

Thanks in advance
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mauki
Hi guys.

I am new here, and I would like to ask about a thing that is very important to me. I am considering switching from Epix to AW Ultra and snce there are no maps on AWU, the WorkOutDoors is my only option and the answer to following will be a deciding factor. I use the watch for hiking and the most important things for me are: maps, "up ahead" and "climb pro".
Is it possible (during navigating on previously uploaded gpx route) to set the custom screens with:
1. The distance to waypoints set in gpx file (like shelter in 3km, summit in 5 km and end of route in 7km)
2. An altitude profile (how much is left to climb/descend)? In numbers or in graph.

Thanks in advance
Sorry, the app does not yet "follow" you, so it cannot tell the distance to features or show an elevation profile. Such features are top of my to-do list (alongside the always on display) after I have released a version that handles the action button on the Ultra.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BD1 and kabzior
Sorry, the app does not yet "follow" you, so it cannot tell the distance to features or show an elevation profile. Such features are top of my to-do list (alongside the always on display) after I have released a version that handles the action button on the Ultra.

Thanks for your quick reply.
So I just have to wait patiently since these functions are planned :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mauki and cfc
Today I got my new Apple Watch Ultra, it’s been setup as a new Watch. I did a small test run and I still have the strange robotic voice. I did some testing on the Watch and it’s only with the EN voice, the US and UK voice seem te be oké. when I’m in the settings menu of the watch and go to voice and then press EN I hear the robotic voice. When I press UK or US the voices are normal.
 
Today I got my new Apple Watch Ultra, it’s been setup as a new Watch. I did a small test run and I still have the strange robotic voice. I did some testing on the Watch and it’s only with the EN voice, the US and UK voice seem te be oké. when I’m in the settings menu of the watch and go to voice and then press EN I hear the robotic voice. When I press UK or US the voices are normal.
This seems to be a general problem in watchOS 9 with people reporting it for a few apps that use Siri.

You have given me a possible clue though. I haven't seen the "EN" as an option before and I can see that my phone says the same. It sounds like some sort of generic English accent rather than a specific one, so I wonder if they have changed something in that area that will allow me to replicate the problem and maybe work around it. Thanks!
 
Just checking in on this thread. First time in a long while. The reason I haven't checked the thread is because WOD has been working flawlessly for the past months. No issues, and I use it almost every other day for mountain biking. So I just wanted to post a(nother) big thanks for this great app. If anyone is in doubt about getting it, just get it. You won't be disappointed
 
Quick question about elevation gain. I did a walk yesterday using apple workout app and the elevation gain was 63ft. Did the same walk today with WOD and elevation gain was 26ft. Strava says 71ft. Which one is correct and why is there a difference? Are they measuring different things or is it down to the maps they use?
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.