Skip to main content

Strava’s Android Wear 2.0 app lets users record, upload activities without a phone

heatmap
Strava
Strava has optimized its Android Wear app to make use of the latest 2.0 revamp that was officially announced Wednesday alongside the brand new LG Watch Style and Watch Sport.

The popular fitness app now lets users record and upload activities straight from Android Wear 2.0 watches — without requiring a phone to be nearby. It’s all thanks to a focus on stand-alone apps in Google’s latest update.

The only way to make use of the Strava update immediately is to buy the LG Watch Style and Watch Sport, which go on sale on this Friday, February 10. The Android Wear 2.0 update will roll out to a select number of existing devices in the coming weeks, particularly toward the end of February.

An Android or iPhone is only required for the initial setup, but you can install the Wear 2.0 Strava app directly from your Android Wear watch’s Play Store.

Google Fit, the pre-installed fitness application on Android Wear watches, also got a big revamp in Wear 2.0, as it can now track your pace, distance, heart rate (if your watch has a heart-rate monitor), and calories burned while you’re walking, biking, or running.

Fit can now also accurately track sit-ups, squats, push-ups, and weightlifting reps.

Strava is more of a social network for athletes, as you can compete with friends and track ytheir exercise efforts. The app recently added the ability for your friends and family to track your location (with your permission), which can be handy in case of an emergency.

Expect to see more announcements from app developers about their optimizations with Android Wear 2.0 as the update nears the rollout date.

Editors' Recommendations

Julian Chokkattu
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Julian is the mobile and wearables editor at Digital Trends, covering smartphones, fitness trackers, smartwatches, and more…
CES 2019: The Willow 2.0 breast pump lets women live their lives while they pump
Willow 2.0

Willow made waves a few years ago for its reinvented breast pump that fit inside a bra and connected to the user's smartphone for easy tracking. Now, at CES, the company iss back with a second-generation device, which takes the best things about the original and builds on them to make an even better product.

The Willow breast pump is essentially aimed at allowing mothers to pump wherever they are, without having to be tethered to a traditional pump and without wasting any milk. The goal here was to make pumping a lot easier and a lot more discreet, and as such the pumps fit inside a woman's normal bra. On top of that, the pump allowed for women to track milk volume through the connected app. It's about time, too -- humans have been breastfeeding since the beginning of time, but there hasn't been all that much investment into making it easier for women. Willow aims to change that, and it seems like it could be well on its way to doing so.

Read more
Fitbit recalls Ionic smartwatch after several burn reports
best walmart deals on apple watch garmin and fitbit ionic smartwatch adidas edition ice gray silver

Fitbit Ionic smartwatch users need to stop using their devices right now. The company has recalled its Ionic wearable after over 150 reports of the watch’s lithium-ion battery overheating, and 78 reports of burn injuries to the users. It will offer a refund of $299 to the Fitbit Ionic smartwatch users who return the device.

Fitbit has received at least 115 reports in the United States and over 50 reports internationally about the Ionic smartwatch's battery overheating. It is recalling the device as there are two reports of third-degree burns and four reports of second-degree burns out of the 78 total burn injuries report.

Read more
Razer Anzu smart glasses deal knocks $140 off the price tag
The Razer Anzu smart glasses placed on top of an open book.

While smartwatch deals have slowly claimed their place in the mainstream, smart glasses haven't turned out to be as popular. Gaming-focused brand Razer, however, is trying to renew interest in smart glasses with the Razer Anzu, which you can currently purchase from Best Buy at $140 off. If you'd like to give them a try, they're available for just $60, less than half their original price of $200.

There have been failures like the Google Glass and Snap Spectacles, and hopeful attempts like Oppo's Air Glass and Apple's secretive project, but the Razer Anzu smart glasses take a different spin on the wearable device by designing them for indoors. While they come with polarized sunglass lenses, their clear lenses are more useful with their blue light filter, which protects your eyes from screen glare to prevent discomfort even after hours of playing video games or working from home. The smart glasses, which also have a built-in omnidirectional microphone and speakers, may also be more comfortable to wear for an extended period of time compared to headsets and headphones. You'll enjoy smooth, stutter-free sound with the Razer Anzu's low latency audio with a 60ms Bluetooth connection.

Read more