Health

The 10 best health and fitness apps of 2013

Lory Gil ∙ Updated October 9, 2018

I’m not one of those calorie counting fitness fanatics. I just really hate buying clothes and don’t want to have to purchase larger sized pants. In order to stay the same size and squeeze into my two-year-old jeans, I try to keep my eating habits and exercise routine as regular as possible.

However, from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, I go off the wagon in a big way. Whether I’m guzzling eggnog by the gallon or munching on Christmas cookies, there is nothing stopping me from over-indulging for the holiday season.

If you are like me, you are probably going to need to invest in some quality fitness apps to shed the extra pounds in the New Year. The writers of iDownloadBlog have created a list of the 10 best health and fitness apps of 2013. Check them out and let us know which is your favorite for our Best Apps of 2013 list…

Nike+ FuelBand SE now available in Apple’s web store

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

Nike's second-generation fitness-tracker, the Nike+ FuelBand SE, hit Apple's web store this morning and is now available for purchase. The company showed off the new accessory during a media event back in October.

The SE looks and acts very similar to its predecessor, but adds new colorways in yellow, pink, and red, and support for Bluetooth 4.0. There's also a few new features like hourly reminders and a handy one-touch clock mode...

Apple chairman Art Levinson to head up Google’s new health venture

Cody Lee ∙ September 19, 2013

Google announced yesterday that it's backing a new health-focused company called Calico. Like many of the tech giant's initiatives, it's a moonshot project, tasked with extending human life by combating things like aging and disease.

To make things even more interesting, current Apple chairman Arthur D. Levinson has been named CEO of the newly-founded venture. He'll oversee the entire operation, and will apparently be reporting directly to Google's Larry Page...

Dr. iPad: Apple tablet used in liver surgery

Ed Sutherland ∙ August 21, 2013

Robot-aided surgery has become common, but now comes word that Apple's iPad assisted German surgeons during a recent liver operation. During a three-hour procedure, the first of its kind, the tablet's camera photographed the liver, then a special iPad app provided a 3D model which surgeons in Bremen, Germany used to remove two tumors, Reuters reports...

All-aluminum, completely waterproof physical activity tracker Shine launches

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 24, 2016

A company called Misfit Wearables has launched an interesting physical activity tracker device, the Shine, which works with iOS devices and can be worn anywhere on your body via the included clasp and optional add-ons.

Originally an Indiegogo project, the Shine goes beyond your typical pedometer by tapping proprietary sensor algorithms that not only track your steps, but also cycling and swimming. It's available now via the online Misfit store and is expected soon in brick-and-mortar and online Apple Stores...

Nike+ Running update brings new Nike+ Challenges feature

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

Nike has posted a significant update to its popular Running app today, bringing it to version 4.3. While the update only includes a handful of improvements, and one new feature, that new feature is a pretty big deal.

It's called Nike+ Challenges, and just as you'd expect, it allows you to challenge your friends to a race. You simply set the distance, send an invite to another Nike+ user, and the app will track each of your progresses...

Withings enters fitness tracking space with new Pulse wearable

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

If there's one market that's really exploded over the last year or two, I'd say it's wearable computers—more specifically fitness trackers. There's already a number of companies in the space, including Nike and Jawbone, and giants like Apple and Samsung are rumored to be joining soon.

And this weekend, veteran iOS accessory-maker Withings officially joined the fray by putting its wearable Pulse tracker up for pre-order. The device, which it showed off at CES earlier this year, can be pocketed, clipped or worn on your wrist and tracked and by a mobile app...

Feeling suicidal? Don’t do it, Siri can call National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for you

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 18, 2013

Sometimes, one just feels like life isn't worth living anymore. Maybe you've been trying too hard for too long or life hasn't been treating you fairly?

Perhaps love of your life has suddenly dumped you? Or, it could be the economy. Whatever the reason, far too many people are having suicidal thoughts these days.

And who could blame them - we're living in a time when the entire world is increasingly becoming a Prozac nation. When desperation sets in, suicide prevention centers step in to save lives. But those considering committing suicide are often way too depressed to even seek professional help on their own.

Apple feels their pain, too. In a recent server-side update, the company's digital assistant has gained ability to help individuals in suicidal crisis reach out to National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by automatically placing that potentially life-saving phone call for you...

14-year-old discovers iPads can be dangerous to heart patients

Cody Lee ∙ May 10, 2013

As Apple has proven in its TV ads, you can use a number of words to describe its products. But I imagine it never thought that one of those words would be "dangerous." According to new research, though, that's exactly what the iPad is for certain heart patients.

A 14 year-old has discovered that the tiny magnets inside Apple's tablet, used for Smart Covers, can inadvertently shut off a heart patient's implanted defibrillator–a battery-powered electrical impulse generator— if near their chest for an extended period of time...

RunKeeper gains Pebble smartwatch integration

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 7, 2013

RunKeeper, the popular mobile fitness and GPS tracking app, received an update Tuesday which allows for some interesting Pebble smartwatch features. Thanks to deep integration with the Bluetooth Smart-enabled E-paper wrist device, RunKeeper users can keep track of their workout stats on their Pebble.

This includes the stuff like displaying elapsed time, distance and pace or using the wrist device to pause and resume RunKeeper. The application also supports an additional seven languages and includes the obligatory bug fixes.

RunKeeper also said future updates will enable even deeper Pebble integration. I've included a nice promotional video and more details for you, right past the fold...

The next Nike+ FuelBand has Bluetooth 4.0, sports in-built heart rate monitor

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

Just like accessories maker Jawbone had to release a re-tooled version of its Up fitness band following not-so-flattering reviews, Nike is now reportedly testing a next-generation Nike+ FuelBand in the wild. The device should address some of the annoying shortcomings of the original clip-on product and bring out new features.

For starters, the FuelBand successor will incorporate Bluetooth Smart wireless technology. Also known as Bluetooth 4.0, it allows for a considerably reduced power consumption whilst maintaining a similar communication range compared to Bluetooth 3.0.

As Bluetooth Smart is featured on Apple mobile devices from the iPhone 4S onward, the next Nike+ FuelBand will instantly support these low energy features on newer Apple devices right out of the box.

Nike plans to make it easier for developers to create software that connects to the fitness band. The second-generation FuelBand has additional new features, detailed after the break. The timing of the report is pretty interesting as rival FitBit earlier today started shipping its Bluetooth Smart-enabled $99 activity tracking wristband, the Flex...

Fitbit’s new activity-tracking Flex wristband now available for $100

Cody Lee ∙ May 6, 2013

At CES this year, fitness accessory startup Fitbit announced the final missing piece of its highly-regarded activity-tracking line: a wristband. Dubbed the 'Flex,' it offers all of the durability and accuracy of its clip-on products, in a more wearable solution.

Initial market feedback for the band was tremendous, but a lot of that enthusiasm has seemingly subsided during this lengthy waiting period between announcement and availability. Nevertheless, the Fitbit Flex is finally here and available for purchase...