If you’re a Strava user, you know this has been a long time coming. The company has completely redesigned its Apple Watch app, in an update that introduces Live Segments. Here’s how it works.
Every time Tim Cook discusses the Apple Watch during Apple’s quarterly earnings conference call, he says something like, “over half of Apple Watch sales were to new customers,” which is Apple’s way of saying that its user base keeps growing.
Strava, for its part, is also seeing that. In a blog post detailing this week’s update, the company said the following:
“In 2024, Strava saw a nearly 20% year-over-year increase in the share of device-uploading athletes using an Apple Watch, with Apple holding the top two spots for preferred devices among runners in Strava’s 2024 Year in Sport report.”
Strava says that this ever-increasing demand led them to rethink and redesign its Apple Watch app to deliver “a cleaner, more intuitive experience for athletes at every stage of their fitness journey.”
Here’s what’s new with Strava’s latest Apple Watch app update
The update’s headline feature is Live Segments, which allows allows users to compete against themselves or the Strava community on starred or popular Segments—stretches of road or trail—around the world.”
Strava says that once a user approaches a segment, the watch face will display a banner with the segment name, and a circle that will update in real time to reflect their progress, informing them whether they’re ahead or behind their personal record. Haptic cues will also help users quickly know when they enter a starred segment.
The company also says that subscribers will enjoy a few extra benefits:
- Progress updates: Get a countdown showing exactly how much distance remains in the segment.
- Instant results: Athletes immediately see how their completed segment time stacks up against their personal best.
Aside from Live Segments and the performance-focused redesign, the update also features:
- Stats at a glance: See pace, distance, time, and heart rate clearly while moving.
- Streamlined syncing: Automatic and reliable syncing functionality directly to Strava.
Strava is free, with an optional subscription that unlocks additional features.
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