Leaked code points to Android Fitness API development to harness wearables

Google, with the rising popularity of fitness tracking wearable devices entering the market, seems to have started taking the concept of fitness technology seriously, and is reportedly working on its Android API to allow developers to harness the potential of smartphone hardware, based on code found by a blog.

In a report, Google Operating System claims to have found code for an upcoming 'Android Fitness API' that will let the applications view and edit various sensor data. Quoting the spotted API, the report states: "View and edit your fitness tracking, health and activities data, including reading and writing raw and transformed data."

The Android Fitness API is being speculated to enable the storage of data via multiple sources to the user's Google account. The applications can further show charts and other information from the data derived. It is, of course, not yet known whether the new API will arrive with the next Android release, or as a Google Play Service.

LG was one of the most recent of the major players to enter the wearable technology segment, by announcing its Life Band Touch fitness wristband in the CES 2014 event. The latest wearable from LG can sync with Android and iOS devices using Bluetooth 4.0, though the company has not detailed whether the device can work with smartphone, tablets or even both. The LG Life Band Touch wristband can also track physical activities such as steps taken, distance covered and calories consumption.

Google's exploration of new frontiers for Android saw a major announcement recently, in the automobiles sector. The firm recently entered into a partnership with the leading carmakers and a chip-making firm in order to bring its Android operating system into vehicles in 2014. Some of the carmakers involved in the partnership are General Motors, Audi, Honda and Hyundai whereas Nvidia will be also giving its support under-the-hood.