Getting motivated to stay active just got a whole lot easier with the launch of Walkstar, a innovative new app that syncs your workout tunes with your movement. Available now in the App Store, Walkstar is the brainchild of Greg Gardner, the developer behind Launcher, a popular app-launching widget for iPhone users.
The app's unique feature is its ability to detect when you're moving and when you're not. When you start walking or running for at least 10 seconds, the music begins to play. If the app detects that you've stopped moving, the music will also stop, and it will resume playing once you start moving again. This clever feature is designed to motivate users to maintain an active lifestyle, and it's already generating buzz in the fitness community.
The idea for Walkstar came to Gardner after he saw someone online who had combined an old Sony Walkman with a pedometer, allowing the device to play music only while the user was walking. Gardner realized that the same concept could be achieved with an iPhone app, and that it could be a powerful motivational tool to encourage people to walk more.
One of the most striking aspects of Walkstar is its retro-style interface, which transforms your phone into a colorful portable cassette player reminiscent of an old-school Walkman. The app also features a nostalgic sound tape hiss that plays when the music starts, adding to its charm.
In addition to its core feature, Walkstar also includes a range of other useful tools to help users stay on track. These include Game Center integration to view leaderboards and achievements, a Live Activity widget for tracking step count and distance, and Shortcuts integration for starting and stopping walking sessions.
The app is available to download for free, but users can also upgrade to a Premium subscription to access additional features. These include customizable app icons and cassette tape covers, as well as analytics to track overall step count and walking history.
Gardner has big plans for the future of Walkstar, including the introduction of features that will enable users to share their progress and compete with friends. If the app gains sufficient popularity, he may also consider developing an Android version. Currently, Walkstar is only compatible with Apple services, including Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, Apple Books, and iTunes, but Gardner is exploring the possibility of adding more music-streaming integrations, with Spotify being the first target.
A test version featuring Spotify is currently under review in the App Store, and Gardner is hopeful that it will be approved in the next few months. With its innovative approach to fitness motivation and its user-friendly interface, Walkstar is an app that's definitely worth checking out for anyone looking to stay active and healthy.