Don't Overlook Those Other Great Benefits
Aside from the obvious convenience factor, the latest running apps offer many other features, too. For one, there is a social aspect to running apps that you can't get (or not as easily) from a sports watch. You can pre-set an app to automatically post your workouts to Facebook or Twitter, so you can brag to your friends or check-in with your running club the very moment you finish a workout.
The apps also make long-term data tracking super easy. All of the major players offer easy data sharing with third-party apps and websites like Apple's Health aggregator, Daily Mile, Strava, Magellan Active and many more. Some apps have even added pedometer capabilities which, once calibrated against a few GPS runs outdoors, can give you very accurate data for your indoor walks or runs. I tried this out via iSmoothRun the other day walking through the skyways (above-ground tunnels used in the winter time) in St. Paul, Minnesota, and was amazed at how accurate the results were.
With every new generation of smartphone, technology will only improve, and the app developers in the fitness community will be right there evolving with them. It's an exciting time for runners and technophiles alike.
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