Samsung updates S Health with lightly competitive social sharing; is this the future of fitness apps?

Last week we saw Microsoft release its latest update for its Band 2 wearable and Microsoft Health app, delivering among other changes a new leaderboard mode, letting users compare things like step counts with other users of similar physical builds. Considering how many other aspects of mobile device usage are built around social components like that, it's almost a wonder we hadn't seen a similar feature emerge sooner. Well, Microsoft's not the only wearable maker up to this kind of action, and today we're learning about Samsung's new update for its S Health app, delivering some social functions of its own.

Like that Microsoft Health update, this new S Health release allows users to compare their step counts against other users from their same age group, as well as their personal circle of (S-Health-using) friends.

The app's step-tracking in general also sees an improvement to how it computes its figures, combining step counts from wearables with the phone's own accelerometer (when you're not wearing those devices) for a composite score.

Diabetic users can take advantage of improved wireless syncing with glucose-monitor hardware, and all the app's data – including info from third-party devices like those blood-sugar monitors – can now conveniently exported for use with other software or for sharing with health professionals.

Other changes include the introduction of a quick heart-rate-measuring gesture for Samsung phones with the appropriate hardware, as well as general bug fixes and improvements.

source: Google Play via SamMobile