Runtastic for Windows Phone introduces Shoe Tracking to protect your joints and prevent injuries.

I never heard of shoe tracking up until today. At first, I thought it was surreal, but Runtastic really wants to help you track your shoes condition from the time you buy it and for the next 500 km you use to run or walk. Why 500 km you may ask. Well according to a study by Cook, Kuster and Brunet, "the initial cushion of running shoes dropped to 67% after about 150 miles (240 kilometers) and further to 60% after a little more than 500 miles (800 kilometers)." And another study published in the Journal of Sports Sciences "has shown that as the number of miles increases, the cushioning capability of the shoes decreases, exposing your joints to greater shock and force." So take note and mind your joints as from now on. But don't freak out, Runtastic has you covered with an update to their app for Windows Phone. 

They introduced Shoe Tracking to help keep track of the mileage on your running shoes. The app has a builtin database of shoes from which you can choose, and if your's are missing, snap a picture of your shoes to add to the app. If you have an existing shoe, specify when you started using it and include your mileage and Runtastic will take it from there. It is also capable of handling several shoes. 

Head over to the Windows Store to download the updated Runtastic and add Shoe Tracking to your fitness statistics.

Microsoft Health for iOS gets support for Microsoft Band 2.

With Microsoft putting all their apps on every available platform, I've decided to use this blog to cover Microsoft apps for the iOS platform. I was recently given an iPhone 6 Plus to play with and the first apps I installed on it were, obviously, Microsoft apps. One of them is the Microsoft Health app to sync with my first generation Microsoft Band.

Microsoft has updated the app today, adding support for the Band 2. The fitness band is not yet available, but can be pre-ordered from Microsoft and Best buy. Your iPhone will be ready to work with your shiny new Band if you're after one. The change log does not say much, but the "What's New" section of the Microsoft Health app does invite you to check the new Band, UV monitoring, stairs counting, wake up refreshed and workout customization. 

Get the Microsoft Heath update in the App store. Check out Windows Central for details about the Microsoft Band 2. 

Band Companion's remote shutter now includes video recording & four different battery positions.

If you happen to own a Microsoft Band, you should also consider getting Band Companion app. It's a third party app that will add new features to your Band through in-app purchases. Two of the features that are well worth the money are the battery status and remote shutter. These two features got better in an update published to the store.

Here's what is new in version 1.5.0.0:

• Choose between four different positions of battery status on Me tile of your Band.
• Remote shutter feature now includes video recording
• Remote shutter settings are now saved.

The developer also fixed some bugs reported by some users.

Download: Windows Phone Store

Runtastic for Windows Phone gets slew of new features.

Running, walking, hiking and biking for outdoor sports; Treadmill, cardio, yoga, weight lifting for indoor sports. Whichever sports you practice, there's a tool in the store to keep track of your activities. With the advent of the fitness trackers, smart watches, fitness apps are very popular these days. Fortunately, our phones are here to help us keep track of all that and crunch the data to help us stay healthy.

One among the many apps out there is Runtastic Pro for Windows Phone. An app full of the required features to make it an excellent fitness companion. Today, Runtastic Pro just got better with the following new features:

* Heart Rate Integration: Track your heart rate with the Runtastic Heart Rate Combo Monitor (PRO only)
* Heart Rate Zones: Train in the ideal heart rate zone, i.e. fat burning, to reach your goals (PRO only)
* LIVE Tracking & Cheering: Share location & receive messages for motivation to keep pushing
* Transparent Live Tile on your start screen
* Hydration feature: See how much you should drink to recovery from dehydration post-activity (PRO only)
* BirdView in map
* Japanese Voice Coach (PRO)
* New app languages: Russian, Turkish and Polish
* Improved layout

Some of new features are available in the pro version only. Use the download links below to get the free or paid version:

Free                                            Paid ($4,99)

Endomondo Sports Tracker gets Bluetooth 4.0 support and more.

Do you use your Windows Phone to monitor your fitness? If the answer is yes, you probably have Endomondo in your application list. If, on the other end, the answer is no, then either you do not exercise at all or you do but you don't keep track of the burned calories, the distances, speed and distance for any outdoor sports you practice regularly or even your indoor workouts. If you fall in the first group of those who do not exercise, you better get started for some obvious reasons. One of the tools you will need to make sure you're doing it right is Endomondo Sports Tracker, a free personal trainer for Windows Phone.

Endomondo Sports Tracker got a major update today and the most noteworthy is the added support for Bluetooth 4.0. The latter will not work on Lumia devices running Windows Phone 8.1 preview until Nokia releases its Cyan update. Until then, check out the new features in Endomondo Sports Tracker version 9.1.0.3:
 

● Bluetooth heart rate belts support● Updated calorie calculation● Set your weight, height, age and gender in settings● Enhanced newsfeed (like, comment, send peptalks, view photos, mini map, open friends workout)● Set title and attach photos to your workout● Fixed autopause bug that would crash application after workout was stopped● Fixed manual workout sport selection bug● Other small fixes and improvements

Download: Windows Phone Store