Apps WorkOutDoors: New workout features

[yoak]

Just dropped by to say I've run the app the whole winter, XC skiing, downhill skiing and biking without any problems. I had issues in the past, but they seem like the distant past now. Keep up the good work. I'm telling everyone to get WOD and an Apple Watch instead of Garmin or similar. Only downside is the battery life of he AW

 

[jtsang2000]

Hi, is there any timeframe on when the AOD maybe available?

 

[cfc]

Hi, is there any timeframe on when the AOD maybe available?

I am getting close to finishing the initial coding. To 90% of people it would seem finished but there are several obscure features that need to be rewritten. There are a lot of features!

So I am currently testing every configuration option and re-implementing it in SwiftUI if necessary. Then I will release a beta version, which will need a LOT of testing. I am guessing this testing won't be finished by WWDC in early June so I will probably take into account whatever Apple announce when I decide on a release date to the App Store. Ideally the beta will work on the watchOS 10 beta, so I may have to make a few changes for that.

 

[jtsang2000]

I am getting close to finishing the initial coding. To 90% of people it would seem finished but there are several obscure features that need to be rewritten. There are a lot of features!

So I am currently testing every configuration option and re-implementing it in SwiftUI if necessary. Then I will release a beta version, which will need a LOT of testing. I am guessing this testing won't be finished by WWDC in early June so I will probably take into account whatever Apple announce when I decide on a release date to the App Store. Ideally the beta will work on the watchOS 10 beta, so I may have to make a few changes for that.

That's good to hear there's good progress. Really looking forward to testing your beta release.

 

[viscount]

I would like to set up an upcoming marathon (Boston in 4 days!) as an interval schedule where each mile is run at a slightly different target pace, so that I can see how many seconds ahead or behind target I am during the race. But there is no way to set an exact target pace in an interval schedule. I can only set the slowest and fastest values for target pace. Is that correct or am I missing something?

If so, is the "Time vs Target" and "Time vs interval target" calculated based on a target pace that is the average of the maximum and minimum pace?

This would be okay, except that then there is no way to show my desired target pace as a field in any of the screens, because such a field doesn't exist. I can show the max or min target pace as one of the fields but that means doing some mental math to get the desired pace, which is impossible for me during a marathon.

Basically, I would like WOD to show me the target pace for every mile in the marathon instead of having to use a wrist band (where it's hard to focus on finding the right mile you're on...)

I guess I could set the max and min target pace to be both equal to my target for each mile, but I don't know how that will affect its calculations.

Any suggestions?

 

[Pitch]

Not sure if this has been requested before, but it would be nice to be able to rearrange the tabs in the iOS app – after setting up my initial workout screens when I first started using the app I haven’t touched the screen tab, but I use the interval schedule tab almost every day. I would love to be able to switch the prominence of these two tabs.

Also, is there an easier way to load a new route on the watch than going to other settings, routes? Again it would be cool to have a user rearrangeable menu because I use this daily but don’t use a bunch of the front page options.

 

[cfc]

I would like to set up an upcoming marathon (Boston in 4 days!) as an interval schedule where each mile is run at a slightly different target pace, so that I can see how many seconds ahead or behind target I am during the race. But there is no way to set an exact target pace in an interval schedule. I can only set the slowest and fastest values for target pace. Is that correct or am I missing something?

If so, is the "Time vs Target" and "Time vs interval target" calculated based on a target pace that is the average of the maximum and minimum pace?

This would be okay, except that then there is no way to show my desired target pace as a field in any of the screens, because such a field doesn't exist. I can show the max or min target pace as one of the fields but that means doing some mental math to get the desired pace, which is impossible for me during a marathon.

Basically, I would like WOD to show me the target pace for every mile in the marathon instead of having to use a wrist band (where it's hard to focus on finding the right mile you're on...)

I guess I could set the max and min target pace to be both equal to my target for each mile, but I don't know how that will affect its calculations.

Any suggestions?

Setting them both to the same pace will work, although you would probably want to disable schedule target alerts. You can then configure a screen with either of the Interval Target Low or Interval Target High metrics, along with the Time vs Interval Target metric (and maybe the Distance vs Interval Target as well if you wish).

The Time / Distance vs Interval Target metrics are zero when within the target range and only non-zero when out of the range. Although when you have set the range limits to the same pace then they will work in the same way as the general Time vs Target and Distance vs Target metrics.

 

[cfc]

Not sure if this has been requested before, but it would be nice to be able to rearrange the tabs in the iOS app – after setting up my initial workout screens when I first started using the app I haven’t touched the screen tab, but I use the interval schedule tab almost every day. I would love to be able to switch the prominence of these two tabs.

Also, is there an easier way to load a new route on the watch than going to other settings, routes? Again it would be cool to have a user rearrangeable menu because I use this daily but don’t use a bunch of the front page options.

Over the years a couple of people have asked for the ability to configure the tabs in the iPhone app. I may add it one day (maybe if I am forced into rewriting the iPhone app like I just did with the watchOS app), but it is not in my immediate plans.

In terms of the route selection when I improve the navigation then I plan to add that to the menu that appears when you tap the 3 dots next to an activity. So you could start a route in the same way as you currently start an interval schedule. However it will still be available in the route settings for when users want to start an interval schedule but still show a route as well. The new option in the "3 dots" menu will just be a shortcut.

If you often change route then you could configure a gesture to display the route selection screen. To do this go to Settings / Commands / Shortcuts and set a gesture to "Show Routes". For example you could then make the routes appear when you tap the screen 3 times quickly, or maybe make it one of the buttons that appear when you touch the screen for a second.

By default the app shows 4 buttons (pause, end, settings etc) when you long touch the screen, but you can configure up to 6 buttons and control what each of the buttons do. Make sure you still have the End button though, or configure a different gesture to end the workout.

 

[kylew1212]

I would like to set up an upcoming marathon (Boston in 4 days!) as an interval schedule where each mile is run at a slightly different target pace, so that I can see how many seconds ahead or behind target I am during the race. But there is no way to set an exact target pace in an interval schedule. I can only set the slowest and fastest values for target pace. Is that correct or am I missing something?

If so, is the "Time vs Target" and "Time vs interval target" calculated based on a target pace that is the average of the maximum and minimum pace?

This would be okay, except that then there is no way to show my desired target pace as a field in any of the screens, because such a field doesn't exist. I can show the max or min target pace as one of the fields but that means doing some mental math to get the desired pace, which is impossible for me during a marathon.

Basically, I would like WOD to show me the target pace for every mile in the marathon instead of having to use a wrist band (where it's hard to focus on finding the right mile you're on...)

I guess I could set the max and min target pace to be both equal to my target for each mile, but I don't know how that will affect its calculations.

Any suggestions?

I believe that you can do this with the regular apple workout app. On your watch hit outdoor then then edit on the open goal and turn it into an interval workout. Each interval can have a pace.
You should be able to add 26 mile long work intervals each having a target pace.

Edit this possible, just tried it on my watch. You’ll need to create a workout then add intervals of 1 mile then add an alert for each interval with you target pace.
You’ll have to do it 26 times but it’ll work.

I use the default app for intervals when I’m running a known route and don’t need maps.

 

[tomislavf]

I am getting close to finishing the initial coding. To 90% of people it would seem finished but there are several obscure features that need to be rewritten. There are a lot of features!

Did you manage to get the map to update when the display is not active in WOD mode?

 

[cfc]

Did you manage to get the map to update when the display is not active in WOD mode?

Not yet but I haven't found that I need it. I expected it to be a limitation but I have found that you can't really use the map unless the wrist is raised anyway.

I may investigate it later but it isn't high on my list.

 

[Olivier 07]

Not yet but I haven't found that I need it. I expected it to be a limitation but I have found that you can't really use the map unless the wrist is raised anyway.

I may investigate it later but it isn't high on my list.

I agree with Tomislavf too.
WOD allows you to install the watch on a bicycle handlebar in order to see the information without having to lift your wrist.
So why not take advantage of it for route tracking or mapping?
Have a nice day everyone

 

[cfc]

I agree with Tomislavf too.
WOD allows you to install the watch on a bicycle handlebar in order to see the information without having to lift your wrist.
So why not take advantage of it for route tracking or mapping?
Have a nice day everyone

I will do it if I can, but it may not be possible. WatchOS only allows some changes to be made to an inactive display and that may not include updating the 3D rendering system that the app uses. It doesn't seem to allow it when I have tested it, and I asked a question about it on Apple's developer forums a few months ago and no-one has replied.

Also I am slightly wary of the battery usage of updating a map every second instead of only when active.

I will look into it again at some time but at the moment I just want to get the app rewritten!

In terms of bike handlebars I think fixing the watch to the handlebars is very rare so not something that I am too worried about. Sorry. Phones are much more common so it may become an issue in the future when I make the app show live information on the phone, and Apple make it possible for apps to use the phone's always on display. But that is a problem for another day.

 

[Pitch]

By default the app shows 4 buttons (pause, end, settings etc) when you long touch the screen, but you can configure up to 6 buttons and control what each of the buttons do. Make sure you still have the End button though, or configure a different gesture to end the workout.

Thanks. So, maybe I am doing something wrong, but when I long press before starting a workout (which is when I’d want to pull up the route menu), I only get these options, not the ones you describe:

But I don’t see anywhere to edit this menu (I’d replace workout history with the route menu if it’s possible). I also tried setting the shortcut to shaking the watch but whenever I shaked my wrist vigorously, it seems to just take me out of WOD and return me to the watch face.

 

[cfc]

Thanks. So, maybe I am doing something wrong, but when I long press before starting a workout (which is when I’d want to pull up the route menu), I only get these options, not the ones you describe:
View attachment 2189683

But I don’t see anywhere to edit this menu (I’d replace workout history with the route menu if it’s possible). I also tried setting the shortcut to shaking the watch but whenever I shaked my wrist vigorously, it seems to just take me out of WOD and return me to the watch face.

You cannot configure that menu. Only the one that appears during a workout.

As I said in the future I will add an option to the menu that appears when you press the 3 dots next to an activity in the main menu, but this will not be until I have added the ability to follow a route rather than just display it.

I have never heard of shaking causing the watch face to appear, but maybe you are pressing the buttons with your wrist when shaking vigorously. Note that shortcuts like shaking etc only work during a workout.

 

[Pitch]

You cannot configure that menu. Only the one that appears during a workout.

As I said in the future I will add an option to the menu that appears when you press the 3 dots next to an activity in the main menu, but this will not be until I have added the ability to follow a route rather than just display it.

I have never heard of shaking causing the watch face to appear, but maybe you are pressing the buttons with your wrist when shaking vigorously. Note that shortcuts like shaking etc only work during a workout.

Thanks. I guess shaking didn’t work because it wasn’t during a workout, it was at the selection screen. Would any of the shortcut options work from the selection screen or they all must be triggered from within a workout?

 

[cfc]

Thanks. I guess shaking didn’t work because it wasn’t during a workout, it was at the selection screen. Would any of the shortcut options work from the selection screen or they all must be triggered from within a workout?

The shortcut gestures are only for use during a workout. I don't think anyone has ever asked for them to be usable outside of a workout and most of them don't make sense then. I don't have any plans to change that. Sorry.

 

[nyco]

Hi. I believe one of the upcoming features was the possibility to download workouts from Final Surge. Is there a timeframe for that?

 

[cfc]

Hi. I believe one of the upcoming features was the possibility to download workouts from Final Surge. Is there a timeframe for that?

I don't plan to add the ability to download schedules from any specific website, but I do plan to allow the app to import them from FIT files, which many of these websites support.

I have coded it up to work with the current interval schedules, but they don’t yet support nested repeat loops. I asked on this thread a few months ago and most people said there would be complaints if I released without supporting nested repeats.

So I am holding fire because nested loops would take a while to implement and there are higher priorities at the moment. Support for the always on display and improved navigation and are much more frequently requested, but after I have implemented them I will get back to importing schedules.

However these priorities are not set in stone and may be affected by any announcements at WWDC in June.

 

[twisted-pixel]

can someone suggest a bike sensor that works? The Garmin one that came with my bike *should* work but doesn't. Looking for recommendations, thank you

 

[vapilot]

I plan to add the ability to create custom activities that map to Apple's activities, so you could create Road Cycling and MTB activities that use Apple's Cycling activity behind the scenes.

This is quite a popular request and currently joint third on my to-do list (along with schedule importing), but behind the Always on Display and improved navigation. So it won't be added for a while. Sorry.

@cfc Do you have a public bug/feature tracker?

 

[cfc]

@cfc Do you have a public bug/feature tracker?

No. Sorry.

 

[Nolander07]

I just got WorkOutDoors yesterday for my Ultra. It’s a great app/solution instead of the simple Apple workout app. It connected readily to my bike smart trainer (which the Apple workout app will not do). I love all the customizable screens, especially the option for larger font. I haven’t used it outdoors yet, but I expect it will be impressive there as well. I came from years of Garmin and this app is what I was looking for. Thanks for all the great work.

 

[Cpq27]

I don't plan to add the ability to download schedules from any specific website, but I do plan to allow the app to import them from FIT files, which many of these websites support.

I have coded it up to work with the current interval schedules, but they don’t yet support nested repeat loops. I asked on this thread a few months ago and most people said there would be complaints if I released without supporting nested repeats.

So I am holding fire because nested loops would take a while to implement and there are higher priorities at the moment. Support for the always on display and improved navigation and are much more frequently requested, but after I have implemented them I will get back to importing schedules.

However these priorities are not set in stone and may be affected by any announcements at WWDC in June.

So just to confirm, at this point in time, you have no plans to implement structured workouts integration with sites like Training Peaks, Final Surge, etc.?

 

[cfc]

So just to confirm, at this point in time, you have no plans to implement structured workouts integration with sites like Training Peaks, Final Surge, etc.?

I have no plans to implement a specific connection with any of the many systems that provide structured workouts, but I do have plans to implement the ability to import structured workouts created by such sites in the form of FIT files. As I say I have mostly coded that already.

If I get enough requests then I may implement a direct connection to the most popular source of such files (just as I did with exporting workouts to Strava). However at the moment that would probably be Training Peaks and they are currently not accepting requests from apps who want to connect to them.

In terms of timing it really depends on how the always on display version goes and what Apple announce in 6 or 7 weeks time. I want to release the always on display version asap and then will probably want to release another version before the September hardware releases.

Navigation improvements are top of my list but if it looks like I can't get any of them into that September version then I may finish off the structured workout importing, which is next on the list. Or I may spend the time doing something that becomes necessary as a result of changes in watchOS 10 that are announced at WWDC.

If the testing of the always on version goes better than expected then I may have time to implement stuff whilst people test it, but I am expecting to be bug fixing because it is such a major rewrite.

So in summary it's all up in the air. WWDC and the September keynote mean that it is hard for developers to plan at this time of year, which is why I rewrote the app for the always on display in the early months of the year.