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Let's get physical

Google challenges Apple HealthKit with its own fitness app

Google Fit will sync with all Android Wear devices and can bring health and fitness information from different services and apps together.

Google Fit Google Fit / Google Play Google Fit / Google Play / Google Play

GOOGLE HAS OFFICIALLY entered the health and fitness market with the launch of its Google Fit service.

Similar to Apple’s HealthKit, which launched soon after the arrival of iOS 8, Google Fit will be able to keep track of your fitness goals, allowing you to monitor your walking, running and cycling activity.

It can also be synced with other fitness apps to get a more comprehensive view of your workout activity should you find the basic app lacking.

The app is compatible with all Android Wear devices, Google’s smartwatch OS which so far includes the Samsung Gear Live, the LG G Watch and the Moto 360, as well as the web and tablet, the latter being handy should you be the type of person who brings a tablet (or phablet) to the gym.

The service was first unveiled at Google’s developer conference back in June, although it only briefly mentioned by Google Play Product Manager, Ellie Powers.

While Apple HealthKit’s launch was anything but smooth, Google will hope to avoid a similar fate. It also has competition in the form of Microsoft and Bing Fitness and Health,  which imports data from other services through HealthVault.

Google Fit is available for all devices running Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and above.

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