A quick look at Running Mate and a call for beta testers on Windows Phone 8

Windows Phone owners whom consider themselves running enthusiasts have plenty of options when it comes to apps to track your run, today nosotros're going to turn the spotlight on a popular indie attempt: Running Mate.

Running Mate has been around the Windows Telephone ecosystem for some time now, originally programmer for Windows Phone 7 by developer Nabeel Moghal (find him on twitter here), the app you lot'll currently observe on the market is fully compatible with all version of the Windows Phone operating system. Read on for an overview of features as well every bit some data on the complete overhaul planned for the Windows Phone 8 version.

It's all near the runner

I met Nabeel recently at a Windows Phone developer issue in London and it's clear that he has spent some time pouring over the details of his running companion. When you lot first launch the app y'all're given the option to bound straight into the Run or to spend some time configuring the settings, which nosotros highly recommend yous do kickoff.

Running Mate allows each user to input some key information to exist stored on the device (more about that later on) to help analyse your workouts later you accept finished a session. Y'all'll also find the option to enable a alive tile service and reminders for your runs, as well as configure splits based on altitude or time. These split options help manage the intensity of your run, notifying y'all equally either the distance or time elapses.

Perhaps i of the most useful features though is to configure the sensitivity of the app. Nabeel has built in what he calls a noise filtering engine designed to non simply configure the sensitivity in metres of the GPS sensor in your device, but likewise the speed threshold based on your estimate elevation speed. Essentially by setting the speed to a reasonable pace for your run (the default is 25km/hr) the app knows not to register jumps in GPS position equally assisted-GPS and other less reliable position methods kick in.

One time y'all're in the run you'll meet a very neatly laid out interface showing your route equally you run, current and average speed & pace, the time you have been running for and the calories you're estimated to take burned. It's a simple and piece of cake to navigate user interface, with a few interesting options such equally sharing the run with your friends thrown in to expand functionality.

Where Running Mate really finds an audience though is that all data regarding the user and their runs is kept on the device rather than being uploaded to a larger service. For those of you who are concerned almost privacy and the potential of corporations profiting from your data, this will no doubt be music to your ears.

Coming soon, and a request for beta testers

Nosotros've looked at the current Windows Phone seven version here, merely Running Mate will be bringing some very interesting new features for the next update, which nosotros empathize to be a complete rewrite of the app for Windows Phone 8.

You can caput over to Nabeel'due south own blog for the full details of the new features and to sign up as a beta tester of this new version, but hither are a few headline features for those who aren't yet convinced:

Background run tracking – No need to keep the app open under your lock screen to rail the run
Medals earned for achievements every bit you run
Full offline Nokia maps support
New user interface design

This is looking to be a beta that fitness fanatics shouldn't miss, so make sure yous follow the instructions at the blog link above.

Of course if you don't want to beta test yous tin can still download the electric current app right here from the Store, which we can expect the be fully upgraded soon. It goes for £1.49/$1.99 with a gratis trial of v runs to article of clothing it in, happy running folks!

QR: Running mate

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