Latest HomePod firmware leak indicates skiing workouts coming to Apple Watch

Code strings unearthed from early HomePod firmware suggest that Apple is planning to add skiing to the Apple Watch's Workout app, presumably alongside this fall's watchOS 4.

One section of the firmware makes references to a "SkiingWorkoutEventCollector," with additional terms such as "SkiData," "WorkoutActivityType," "SlopeForAngle," and "DownhillSnowSportsDistance," according to Confide developer Jeffrey Grossman. The only Apple product with a Workout app is the Watch.

watchOS 4 will include at least one new workout type, high intensity interval training (HIIT). The activity typically involves running at top speed in short bursts.

The HomePod code may hint that Apple is planning to add more unannounced workout types. The Watch currently lacks a built-in strength training mode, for example, forcing users to create one using the "Other" option.

A host of "iPhone 8" secrets have either been confirmed or discovered through the HomePod firmware, which was released over the weekend. These include features like "tap to wake" and a "split" status bar, but more importantly the bezel-less design of the phone and facial recognition. It should have a 2436-by-1125 display, but possibly no embedded Touch ID as anticipated.

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16 Comments

mattgodfrey

said about 6 years ago

This is insane, the scope of information they've leaked from this firmware has got to be one of their biggest f*** ups. It's like the Fappening for the Apple fans.

MacPro

said about 6 years ago

I'm waiting for the "You've sat at your Mac for a record time today, well done' app.

Soli

said about 6 years ago

MacPro said:

I'm waiting for the "You've sat at your Mac for a record time today, well done' app.

I know you're making a joke, but it reminds me of an excellent timing app fro the Mac which I don't recall being mentioned on this site.

https://timingapp.com/?lang=en

avidthinker

said about 6 years ago

mattgodfrey said:

This is insane, the scope of information they've leaked from this firmware has got to be one of their biggest f*** ups. It's like the Fappening for the Apple fans.

Haha, seriously. This new device is yielding very interesting glimpses into the upcoming product line.

My question is whether Apple is planning third-party functionality at release? Why not just lock down the device until v2, or a later firmware update? Certainly would have prevented all the poking around by developers and exposing the clues that has come out the past few days.

larryjw

said about 6 years ago

It's an obvious, but naive question. Why would information about iphone 8, as previously reported, or Apple Watch apps appear in firmware associated with the HomePod?

Makes no sense to me. Maybe it makes sense to others. If so, clue me in.