Google Fit app launched: Here's Google's answer to Apple Healthkit

Google has launched the Fit app for Android, which works similarly to the  Apple Healthkit  which comes pre-installed with iOS 8 devices. Launched yesterday, the app already has over 5,000 downloads and has a 4-star rating at the time of writing. As stated on the Google blog, Google Fit helps users become more “active, aware and motivated.” Google Fit claims to help Android users to collate and keep track of health and fitness data on smartwatches and other mobile devices. The app works with all Android Wear devices, including the Moto 360, LG G Watch and the Samsung Gear Live. You can also access your health information on the Google Fit website on a PC or a tablet. The app lets users track their activities including walking, running and cycling or manually add an activity. Users can set goals based on either duration or steps and see your progress throughout the day, while receiving performance-based recommendations for activity goals. Similar to Apple Healthkit, it connects with third-party devices and apps like Strava, Withings, Runtastic, Runkeeper and Noom Coach to show you all of your fitness data in one place. While the app connects with other fitness apps, it’s struggling to integrate fitness data from other fitness devices inculding Fitbit, Pebble and Jawbone yet. Also, based on the customer responses on the Google blog, some apps such as Runtastic are yet to allow Google Fit integration, which means it might take sometime before the app becomes fully useable. The tracking and analysis of health information is expected to be a big driver for smartwatches and other sensor-laden devices this year. The app is available for free and can be downloaded from the Google Play store on devices running Android 4.0 and higher versions. With inputs from Reuters