Category Archives: Activity Awards

Episode 246, Celebrate Heart Health Month by earning an Activity Award on Valentine’s Day; special Apple Vision Pro presentation



In this episode, we will discuss how Apple is celebrating Heart Health Month.The annual Heart Month Challenge is back again this year for Apple Watch users.  The event is slated for Valentine’s Day on Wed, Feb 14. Also, learn how Mac Minutes listeners can listen in to a special presentation on the Apple Vision Pro and Apple Healh sleep feature.

Earn an Activity Award celebrating Heart Health Month this Valentine’s Day.
Graphic of the 2024 Heart Health Month Activity Award.

Episode 233, watchOS 10 launches bringing significant new features to Apple Watch



In this episode, we will discuss the Apple released this week watchOS 10, an update which I have used, and is a significant update. This is bringing a new visual language to apps to see more information at a glance, a new Smart Stack to show relevant widgets right when they’re needed, and delightful new watch faces. Bluetooth connectivity for power meters, speed sensors, and cadence sensors arrive for cyclists, unlocking new metrics and Workout Views, and cycling workouts will automatically show up as a Live Activity on iPhone and utilize the full screen. We will talk about these new features and more.

watchOS 10 is available today, delivering redesigned apps, a new Smart Stack, additional watch faces, new cycling and hiking features, and tools to support mental health.
Introducing the Smart Stack, which enables users to see timely information that adapts to their context.
Modular Ultra takes advantage of the large display of Apple Watch Ultra, using the outermost edge to present real-time data, including seconds, altitude, or depth.
Apple Watch calculates personalized Power Zones, used to easily see the current zone and track how long is spent in each, which is an effective and popular way of improving performance.
The Compass app automatically generates two new waypoints when available: a Last Cellular Connection Waypoint and a Last Emergency Call Waypoint.

Episode 230, America Celebrates National Parks; Projected Apple Event coming in September



In this episode, we will discuss the announcement this week about Apple celebrating America’s National Parks, including several activities including a fitness activity award; and our projected product announcement event for September.


Episode 219, Apple celebrates Earth Day Saturday, April 22 with numerous special shows and events



In this episode, we will discuss Apple’s announcement this week of its progress toward climate goals while celebrating with numerous events for users to take part in during Earth Day, Saturday, April 22.  In celebration of Earth Day, Apple is offering a series of ways to help customers learn about and connect with the environment, and take action to reduce their impact on the planet.  For more information of the events at your nearest Apple Store, go to https://www.apple.com/today/collection/protect-our-planet-series/.

In Apple Fitness+, a new Time to Run episode takes inspiration from Joshua Tree National Park.
In Apple Podcasts, the “Revitalizing Our Home” collection features conversations and stories from a wide variety of voices.
Apple Watch users can earn a limited-edition award for Earth Day by completing any workout of 30 minutes or more on Sat, April 22.
Apple Books features “Explore the Green Girl’s Reading List,” a new collection curated by Leah Thomas, author of The Intersectional Environmentalist.

Episode 218, Steve Jobs Archive releases ‘Make Something Wonderful: Steve Jobs in his own words’; Two Apple Activity Fitness Award events announced



In this episode, we will discuss the release of a remarkable book titled Make Something Wonderful—subtitled Steve Jobs in his own words was released Tuesday, April 11.  In the second half of the podcast we will look at Apple’s announcements of Apple Watch Fitness Activity challenges for Earth Day and International Dance Day coming soon. 

The collection of Steve’s speeches, interviews, and emails is available to read for free on the https://stevejobsarchive.com website (Graphic courtesy of Steve Jobs Archive)
The Earth Day Fitness Challenge requires you to do any workout for 30 minutes or more on Saturday, April 22, and record your activity within the Workout watchOS app or any other app that adds workouts to the Health iOS app.
Earn this award by recording a Dance workout of 20 minutes or more on International Dance Day, Saturday, April 29. Record it with the Workout app or any app that adds workouts to Health.

Episode 213, Apple announces Apple Watch Activity Challenge for International Women’s Day; and Activity Awards company creates your achievements into beautiful magnets; and reported new Apple hardware coming



In this episode, we will talk about Apple’s upcoming Fitness Activity Challenge for International Women’s Day occurring next week, Wednesday, March 8.  Next story is about a product, available from an independent company, Activity Awards, located at www.activityawards.com, where you can turn your digital Apple fitness award into a beautiful magnetic pin resembling the award. We will finish the podcast with a story about a reported potential hardware release from Apple, specifically two iPhone models coming in the color yellow.
A graphic representation of the 2023 Women’s Day Fitness Award event that will occur Wednesday, March 8, celebrating International Women’s Day. 
A picture board of various past Apple Activity Fitness Awards that were available. More information can be found at the following Activity Award website at  https://activityawards.com.

Episode 210, New Apple Watch band, watch face launch; fitness activity award starts; and new program content celebrates Black History Month



In this episode, Apple released a new special-edition Apple Watch Black Unity Sport Loop, alongside a new matching watch face and iPhone wallpaper celebrating Black History Month this February. This news and much more Apple program content is new and we will cover it all.

The Unity Mosaic watch face incorporates geometric shapes in green, black, red, and yellow, and the yellow accent can be personalized with other colors.
The Apple Watch Black Unity Sport Loop, watch face, and iPhone wallpaper are inspired by the creative process of mosaic.
Throughout February, Apple Watch users can participate in the Unity Challenge and earn a limited-edition award by closing their Move ring seven days in a row.
Users can enjoy a new episode of Time to Walk featuring “the godmother of soul,” Patti LaBelle, beginning today, Jan 30.

 


Episode 206, Apple Fitness+ unveils new offerings; Apple Fitness Activity Award challenge continues



In this episode, we will discuss Apple’s recent announcement that Fitness+ has multiple new offerings for the 2023 along with the opportunity to be working towards earning the “Ring in the New Year” activity badge.

Fitness+ introduces two new Collections this month: 6 Weeks to Restart Your Fitness and Level Up Your Core Training.
Jenn Lau joins the Fitness+ team to lead Strength workouts, and Brian Cochrane joins to lead HIIT. 
Award-winning actor, producer, and activist Jamie Lee Curtis kicks off the fifth season of Time to Walk.
A brand-new Meditation theme, Sleep, joins the Meditation library, and Fitness+ will also add a new program, Introduction to Meditations for Sleep, to help users get started.

Episode 205, Apple ‘Rings in the New Year’ with new fitness award; Apple announces 2023 Major League Soccer Apple TV schedule



In this episode, we will discuss the announcement that you’ll be able to work towards earning the Ring in the New Year activity badge beginning on Sunday, January 1, 2023 and we will follow up on our earlier podcast with Apple announcing the Major League Soccer, or commonly referred to as MLS, Apple TV schedule (https://mlssoccer.com/schedule).  We have got a lot to cover in this New Year’s edition.

Apple Watch users will once again in 2023 be able to complete an Activity Challenge for New Year’s. Those who close all three of their stand/roll, exercise, and move rings for seven days in a row at any point in January will earn a special award in the Fitness app and custom animated stickers that can be used in the Messages and FaceTime apps.
Fans can visit https://apple.co/MySportsMLS on iPhone or iPad to be directed right to the Apple TV app and follow their favorite Major League Soccer clubs, and get alerts before upcoming games.

Episode 196, Apple Watch Ultra field test proves value of new design, breakthrough features and improved capabilities



Apple Watch Ultra field test of nearly a month proves value of new design, breakthrough features and improved capabilities.  Apple unveiled the revolutionary new design with breakthrough capabilities for the inspired athlete.  The Ultra’s bold design and wide range of features built for endurance, exploration, and adventure is truly noteworthy.  Apple marketed the device for those individuals, but the device makes its mark as well for the novice weekend warrior.  I’ll tell you why it’s a good value to the average person.

There are three specialized bands for outdoor adventures, endurance training, and water sports Apple introduced as well.

Apple Watch Ultra features a new depth gauge. It also delivers the data and functionality required by scuba and free divers for descents down to 40 meters.