Using apps during workout

[Tjeerd]

Because of the health/sport focus of the Fitbit I'm really exited to start thinking about apps that are also focussing on that. It seems my current Pebble app Koers (http://koers.tjeerdytsma.nl) would already make a good fit.

I have two questions relating to that:

- Is it possible to use other apps while recording a workout with the Ionic? *
- Is it possible to prevent the screen from turning off from within an app? **

* I couldn't find a way to exit the app while recording an activity.

* I have experienced that using a smartwatch with a screen that turns off can be very annoying and potentially dangerous as you have to remove your hand from the handlebar and move it in a for biking unusual position. Also it makes it impossible to use the device while mounted on the handlebars, something I currently advice to all my bike users (although this last aspect seems to make less sense as it records heart rate).

[JonFitbit · Accepted solution]

Unfortunately at this time, the workout app needs to be running in order to record data.

You can keep the display active while your app is running, but be aware of the increased battery usage:

import { display } from "display";
display.autoOff = false;
display.on = true;

[mlindgren]

If you launch a 3rd party app and then start a workout, can the 3rd party app continue to get updates in the background?

[Tjeerd]

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@JonFitbit wrote:

Unfortunately at this time, the workout app needs to be running in order to record data.

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That is a bit disappointing. For me (as Strava addict) recording run/ride is a must have, which makes it impossible to use apps during workout. 

Any plans to change that?

Anybody has ideas about other solutions for now?

Is it for instance possible to record data and register it as a Fitbit workout from an own app?

[JonFitbit]

I'd definitely recommend submitting suggestions via this form, using the SDK subject.

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Feature-Suggestions/idb-p/features

Regarding manually creating your own activities, it's not impossible, our Web APIs provide a lot of functionality.

https://dev.fitbit.com/reference/web-api/activity/#log-activity

[Tjeerd]

Good suggestion, I did: https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Feature-Suggestions/Use-other-app-s-during-workout-recording/idi-p/2...

Go there and vote if you agree! 🙂