Strava has revamped its Apple Watch application, announcing the change mere days before the anticipated launch of the Series 11 model.

Strava, the popular fitness tracking app, has made a significant stride in enhancing its Apple Watch app, introducing Live Segments. This new feature is designed to provide a more immersive and motivating experience for athletes using the device.

According to Strava's Chief Product Officer, Matt Salazar, the Apple Watch has become increasingly popular among Strava's user base. In fact, the number of Strava users recording data and uploading activities from an Apple Watch device increased by almost 20% in 2024.

The revamped Apple Watch app seamlessly transitions back to the standard recording screen after a segment, offering a smooth user experience. Live Segments on the Apple Watch show a banner with the segment name and a circle indicator that updates in real time to reflect progress.

This feature provides real-time competition metrics, allowing athletes to see whether they are ahead or behind their personal record. Final results are displayed instantly at the end of a segment on the Apple Watch.

Strava has also partnered with Apple earlier this year to help workouts sync more easily between Apple Fitness Plus and Strava.

In a press release, Strava described Live Segments as intuitive and motivating. They also noted that Live Segments on the Apple Watch show a banner with the segment name and a circle indicator, providing athletes with a clear understanding of their progress during the segment.

While the Apple Watch Ultra 3, due to be unveiled soon, is expected to have spec bumps to handle real-time competitions via Live Segments more efficiently, its connectivity will still primarily rely on phone or LTE connectivity. There are speculations that the Apple Watch Series 11 might switch to MediaTek modems, which could enable satellite connectivity in emergencies, but this technology is unlikely to be used for real-time communication with running buddies.

Meanwhile, Garmin has recently released the Fenix 8 Pro with first-of-its-kind screen technology, adding another competitive edge to the wearable market. As the Apple Watch Ultra 3 prepares to enter the scene, it needs to beat the next generation of Garmin watches in terms of features and performance to maintain its position as a leading fitness device.

The Apple Watch Series 11 and other models expected to be introduced this year will feature routine improvements and new versions, including a new SE model and an Ultra version for extreme sports. However, no specific new data confirming the introduction of Live Segments has been reported so far.

In the midst of this competitive landscape, it's clear that Strava and Apple are committed to pushing the boundaries of fitness technology, offering athletes a more engaging and competitive experience.

Strava has revamped its Apple Watch application, announcing the change mere days before the anticipated launch of the Series 11 model.