Nike has updated its Nike+ Running app for iPhone with optimized support for the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus screen sizes as well as integration with Apple’s Health app for iOS 8. The new version takes full advantage of the new iPhones so text and images no longer scale up. Integration with HealthKit means the Nike+ Running app can now add NikeFuel data and workout data to the Health app that comes installed on iOS 8.
In addition to adding data to the Health app, the version can now read heart rate data shared with the Health app as well. Nike says this will support devices like Wahoo’s Tickr products, but apps like Instant Heart Rate that can share data with Apple’s Health app should be compatible as well if you’re less committed to buying hardware.
The update also takes advantage of the new M8 motion coprocessor found on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. This allows Nike+ Running for iPhone to measure changes in elevation and give you credit for inclines during a workout.
Nike also says the new version allows users to start a new run faster than before using a new quick start feature.
Nike+ Running is available for free on the App Store, and you can find more Health-comaptible apps here. Full change log below:
What’s New in Version 4.6
GET MORE FROM YOUR RUN
Expanded features including an updated home screen experience, adding support for elevation tracking, Apple Health integration and enhanced heart rate monitor support for devices like Wahoo’s Tickr products.
DESIGN ENHANCEMENTS
Starting your run is easier than ever with the new quick start feature. Simply press and hold the “Begin Run” button and you’ll be off in 3, 2, 1! While you are in run, you can also swipe in either direction to control music, view your running stats, and your live map.
ELEVATION TRACKING
Elevate Your Run
Nike+ Running is now optimized for elevation tracking for iPhone 6 devices. Accuracy may be variable for iPhone 5s and earlier devices
APPLE HEALTH
Connected for Health
By accessing your Apple Health data, Nike+ can give you even more detailed information about your run, including heart rate monitor support in-run when using a Bluetooth 4.0 enabled device like Wahoo’s Tickr products.
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Its about damn time.
What about the Fuel Band app????
Finally!!!
Does anyone know if this shows calories burned, not their proprietary “Nike Fuel” points?
Yes, it shows estimated calories burned. Always has.
The app will track calories burned per run based on your run statistics (pace, distance, heart rate, etc.) and your user profile (weight). It will not “write” this data to Health, Nike Running only writes to the NikeFuel report in Health.
… and a hidden category in Health called “workouts” yet to be made visible by Apple.
Updated and it crash when opening
Don’t have that problem on my 6 or 5s (which is my running device).
Crashes on my device too. iPhone 5S 8.1.
I was deleted and reinstall the App to fixed the issue. All existing your running data safe.
Thanks! Same here :)
for some reason I can’t see the app in the list of Background Refresh. I tried uninstalling/reinstalling & rebooting but nothing helps. Anyone else having this problem?
iPhone 6
I have the same problem – disabled it and now can’t reenable it .
Doesn’t sync previous run data? Anyone else having this problem? It will just load run data starting from today.
So is only the wahoo monitors?
Nike just won the race for me. I have been using RunKeeper but I’d been waiting on HealthKit integration. Looking forward to giving this a shot when I head out for my run today.
Overall, this update is half baked. Version 4.6 enhances the aesthetics of the app, but downgrades its performance heavily. I’ve logged almost 1000 miles on Nike Running over the last two years, and was excited to see what they’d come up with this time around. I’m disappointed there is still no way to customize the running screen with user-prefered data, no way to have the voice command prompt you on your mile splits, and the integration with Health is weak at best ‒ it only writes your NikeFuel data into Health, not active calories or anything actually useful. Analyzing your runs within the app or on the desktop version of Nike+ is useless outside of looking at your run map, pace progression, mile splits, and elevation.
Numerous bugs have popped up while using Nike Running. I use iTunes Radio when running and don’t create playlist or play from my music library… as soon as I started my workout iTunes Radio was stopped and it started playing the first song alphebetically in my music library. At each voice feedback (set for every mile) the music was paused and I needed to app switch to Music, press play again, and app switch back to Nike Running. Voice feedback was buggy as well, just blurting out random things like “9 seconds” before rattling off the usual pace, distance, etc. When I completed the assigned distance to run there was no voice prompt telling me I’ve reached my goal. Obviously, these are relatively small bugs in the grand scheme of things, but everything just worked in the previous version ‒ no distractions.
Personally, I’ll be waiting for Garmin to respond with their GPS/Smartwatch and pair that with Strava for run tracking. I wish I didn’t have to dump all the data I’ve gathered with Nike so far, but without innovation for the slightly more competitive/analytical runner they leave us no other choice.
Quagski is spot on. This update (4.6) shouldn’t have been released. In addition to all of the music and playlist issues quagski cites, using an existing playlist stops music whenever voice feedback occurs (not just with the native Music app in IOS). The need to switch back and forth with the Music app — by specifying “No Music” in Nike+ — is more than a little distracting while running. In addition, the music controls for an integrated playlist with Nike+ are on a separate screen that one has to swipe to within the app. No “forward” or “reverse” keys to replay a song or avoid one, unless the use swipes to a new screen. Tsk, tsk.
Most importantly for me, there is no longer an opportunity to control the screen orientation. I’ll say that again: the screen orientation is *constant,* in portrait mode on my iPhone 6. There isn’t even a button in settings to change it . That lack of functionality is a deal-killer for me, because I either have to crane my neck to see the screen or literally raise my arm above my head. Even in the first iPods a user could change the screen orientation.
How about a rollback to 4.5? At least with that version everything worked.
Does anyone know what exactly “Workout” data is in the Health app?
I was able to find a response from Runtastic on the matter…
“Apple Health Workout Data – October 21, 2014 10:44
Apple Health has not made their Workouts category visible just yet, but not to worry – we’re already in close contact with them and your workout data is being carefully stored in the meantime (for future presentation). Your data can also be synced with, for example, MyFitnessPal at present – even though you can’t currently view your data within Apple Health.
As we can’t know for sure when Apple will integrate their Workouts category and make it visible to you, we’d like to try and help you with a workaround for the near future! Therefore, we plan to start pushing our data to the Fitness section of Apple Health starting with an upcoming Runtastic app update. We’ll keep you posted and thanks for your patience.”
Probably the most useful answer I’ve seen thus far. Was really confused before. Thanks for sharing!
The Nike+ interface DOES NOT WORK. It WILL not export to IOS 8 Health app Nike+ Fuel or miles run…. So i let two years of data to not count ??? Not likely… Flat ZERO for a development effort.
After the update, I can’t seem to select a specific playlist. When I select Playlist Title, the only option is Shuttle Playlist, Recently Added and Purchased. It doesn’t show my dozens of Playlists I have in iTunes and was visible in prior versions. I tried deleting the app and reloading from the cloud and that didn’t work. Might be user error, but I want access to all my Playlists! Any help would be appreciated.
The new app does not recognize any of my place lists, it can only do now playing and every run it plays the exact same list of songs so frustrating!
Wish I hadn’t updated! I can no longer listen to albums or audiobooks. If the Nike+ app voice comes on it stops the audio so I have to either have Nike+ running in the background (with no updates) to listen or else I am manually switching back and forth. Also creating a playlist doesn’t let me access the playlist I wan in the appt. And, I like the old home screen where I can see the leader board and last run. So very disappointed!
The lot of you, say thank you to Nike for providing this Free of charge app.
I will lead by example.
” Nike thank you for your efforts”