Latest news with #JasonRussell
Miami Herald
21-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Apple, Fitbit, and Whoop will not like Oura's new updates
I knew something was off when my Oura step count suddenly tanked a few weeks ago. I was hitting the gym six days a week, walking everywhere, and crushing errands, yet my numbers weren't adding up. It turns out I wasn't imagining things. Related: Oura launches genius features to take on Apple, Fitbit, and Whoop Jason Russell, VP of Consumer Software Product at Oura, later confirmed I was probably part of a small group - just 2 to 4% - affected by a bug that misinterpreted smaller gait patterns. Considering I'm barely five feet tall with shoes completely makes sense. The glitch has since been fixed. But it was just the appetizer. Today's main course? A major software update and new features from Oura. And if you're Apple, Fitbit, or Whoop, you may want to pay closer attention. Today, Oura announced a huge software update doubling down on movement tracking - more accuracy, better functionality, and cleaner user data. Earlier this week, during my interview with Russell, I asked about competitors like Apple, Fitbit, and Whoop. He shrugged. "We actually don't compare ourselves to competitors when it comes to accuracy," he told me. "Instead, we measure ourselves against the medical gold standard." The biggest headline? A revamped, machine-learning-driven, step-counting algorithm brings Oura closer to pedometer-level accuracy. It weeds out false counts - like those accidental steps from typing or motorcycle rides - so your step totals actually reflect real movement. Related: Popular fitness tracker users angry following product launch "Members kept saying, 'I don't trust these numbers,'" Russell explained. "This change restores that trust." Another win: Oura now imports heart rate data from Apple Health and Google Health Connect, fixing gaps in Readiness and calorie tracking. "We think this is going to be a game changer," Russell said. "It's going to help people get credit for the work they're really doing." Other standout upgrades include: Ability to edit or add activities up to seven days prior24/7 activity tracking - even between midnight and 4 active minutes trend view, now with the ability to adjust heart rate zones using your max HRGPS-based running splits for more detailed walking and running insightsPartner integrations with CorePower Yoga, The Sculpt Society, Technogym, and Open One thing's clear: Oura is listening - and making moves. This update packs flashy features, but Oura's real advantage - and market threat to competitors - lies beneath the surface. Russell emphasized Oura's obsessive focus on accuracy. "We're at the optimal spot on your body for accurate heart rate," he said. "We intentionally avoid screens, buzzes, and flashy distractions. Our goal is quiet effectiveness until we have something important to say." Even in tricky metrics such as step count or calories burned, Oura sticks to science. Its sleep tracking matches polysomnography, the clinical gold standard, with 80% accuracy. "All wearables estimate," Russell said. "But we've slashed our margin of error by 61%." That kind of precision isn't just a spec - it's something users can actually trust. As the wearables market grows more crowded, Oura is making a serious push to lead the wellness space. With sharper data, smart partnerships, evolving AI tools, and a fast-growing user base, Oura is positioning itself to pull market share from the major players. And if loyal users like me already feel the improvement, Apple, Fitbit, and Whoop should definitely feel the heat. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Yahoo
Council condemns mystery yellow line painter
A mystery painter who has daubed yellow lines on a residential street could be putting safety at risk, the council has said. The spray-painted squiggles have appeared in Cave Road in Brough, East Yorkshire, close to the railway station. Residents said commuters using the station have created problems with traffic and can make getting to their properties difficult. East Riding of Yorkshire Council said the lines were illegal and strongly condemned the action. The authority said: "We strongly condemn this action, which is illegal, and could pose a safety risk as it could lead to confusion and potential accidents. "We are aware of concerns raised by residents regarding parking and are committed to ensuring that parking arrangements meet the need of both commuters and local residents. "Following the opening of additional parking on Skillings Lane, we are reviewing the situation." Residents living close to the station and the newly painted lines were critical about the level of traffic in the town. Jason Russell, 36, said his property had been affected by passengers parking outside and claimed warning notices were often "ignored". He added: "They (whoever has painted the lines) have obviously tried to replicate real lines but people don't take notice of signs, so they won't take notice of a few squiggles. "It's a nice idea but it won't work." Other people called for the station car park to be expanded to stop vehicles from being parked on neighbouring streets. David Roberts, 65, said the lines showed the level of frustration felt by many in the town. "People get territorial about things. It's imaginative, creative, I can't condone it but I understand why they've done it. They're obviously sick of people parking there," he added. But Mark Langton, 58, said he was concerned about the impact the lines would have on safety, adding: "You can't take it on yourself. If it causes an accident, who is responsible?" The BBC has contacted Transpennine Express, the operator of Brough Station, for comment about the parking situation. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Bad parking could put lives at risk - coastguard Driver criticised for Cottingham Day parking Lifeboat crew says bad parking puts lives at risk East Riding of Yorkshire Council Transpennine Express
