One of the lesser-known new features of Android 4.4 is built-in step-counting support, making it easier and more battery-efficient to use a KitKat-powered device as a pedometer. Apparently that wasn't enough to satiate Google's interest in fitness tracking, though, as it's been discovered that The Big G may be working on a new fitness API for Android.
The folks over at Google Operating System have discovered code that refer to an "Android Fitness API" that could gather fitness data that's been collected by the sensors on an Android-powered device and then likely serve it up to an app or device. Unfortunately, the code doesn't reveal much else about the new fitness API or when it might roll out.
One thing that we learned from this past holiday season and a week at CES is that wearables are the next big thing in mobile. That includes fitness trackers, such as Sony's SmartBand and the LG Lifeband Touch. It appears that Google has recognized this and is prepping a new fitness API for its little green robot in response. Obviously there's still quite a bit that we don't know about Google's plans, but it'll be interesting to see what El Goog has planned for this new API and how it might tie in to a user's Google account. Get excited, Android fitness junkies!
