iPhone 5S’ M7 Motion Coprocessor Detailed

More than a week ago, on September 20th, the high end iPhone 5S was launched together with the cheaper iPhone 5C. While the fingerprint sensor and the 64 bit System on Chip were the most talked about iPhone 5S feature, it was also launched with another innovative feature: the M7 motion coprocessor. Azumio’s ARGUS fitness app was probably the first fitness app to be compatible with the M7 motion coprocessor, as the app was updated the same day the iPhone 5S was released. Azumio’s ARGUS fitness app is the number one free health and fitness app in the App Store and it has even been featured as one of the best “designed for iOS 7” apps. Intrigued by the fact that ARGUS gained M7 compatibility at the same time the iPhone 5S’ was released, 9to5mac did an interview with Peter Kuhar, product manager for ARGUS at Azumio.

Battery life

Thanks to the M7 motion coprocessor, battery life is vastly improved. For older iPhone models, ARGUS normally uses about 20 to 30 percent of battery life /day, as the app runs in the background. ARGUS continuously monitors motion and calculates the number of steps and the distance, using the iPhone’s GPS and accelerometer. With the iPhone 5S however, things are different: with the M7 motion coprocessor taking care of all data monitoring, ARGUS does not need to run in the background anymore. This means that ARGUS does not drain battery life anymore when it is being used, so Apple’s battery life predictions (10 hours 3G talk time, 250 hours of standby ) remain unchanged.

Data storage

The M7 motion coprocessor inside the iPhone 5S can store up to seven days of data regarding steps taken and distance. When you will download the ARGUS app and run it for the first time, it will automatically gets M7′s stored data so you will automatically start with a pretty consistent database. The motion coprocessors’  APIs let devs interrogate the coprocessor about whether the user is in a car, or walking, or standing still etc. Apple’s developer site explains that “The framework can also distinguish different types of motions reflective of travel by walking, running, or automobile. Health and fitness apps can take advantage of that data to give users performance and workout results, and navigation apps can use it to change the type of directions they provide”. Apple Maps’ next versions will, without a doubt, make very good use of the M7 motion coprocessor as it seems that the M7 chip will be integrated with Apple Maps.

Android adoption

ARGUS’ developers wanted a motion coprocessor for a long time. Instead of putting all work on the CPU (that also drains battery while being heavily used) and having it run continuously, the M7 motion coprocessor gathers the all the needed data itself, allowing the CPU to sleep or work on other tasks. ARGUS’ devs have apparently been discussing the inclusion of a motion coprocessor with Android manufacturers too. Now that Apple included one in its high end smartphone, other manufacturers are expected to do the same so we may see quite a few Android based smartphones with motion coprocessors in 2014. The Moto X includes a proprietary solution for motion tracking and Android 4.3 has support for activity detection. However, the M7 motion coprocessor is still the best and ideal solution, a low power dedicated chip that improves both battery life and performance.

Conclusion

iPhone 5S’ M7 motion coprocessor is one of its most interesting features, especially if you use a lot of fitness and health apps. Nike’s own fitness app, that was also demoed on stage at the iPhone 5S’ unveiling event on September 10th, will also receive M7 compatibility very soon. Other fitness apps, such as Strava Run, have already added compatibility last week. Do you use any fitness and health apps? And if you do, what are your thoughts on the inclusion of a dedicated motion coprocessor with the iPhone 5S?