Runbot is an excellent steps tracker for Android
Runbot is a free unobtrusive application for Android devices that you can use to track activities such as walking, jogging, cycling or in-line skating.
I spend most of the time in front of the computer on my desktop thanks to the awesome job that I have. I have started to walk everywhere I need to go -- in reasonable distance -- as a counterweight to all that sitting and working on the computer.
For that, I was looking for a tracker that would help me keep track of how many meters/kilometers I'd walk each day. Combined with my goal to walk at least 10,000 meters each day, it would help me stay fit despite the job that I have.
I have tested and tried many tracking apps and gadgets, from basic steps trackers to sophisticated applications for Google Android.
While most worked, they were not overly accurate most of the time and many apps required that many privileges that I could not convince myself to run them.
Then I found Runbot and it quickly turned out to be the application that I was looking for all along. The application requires access to two permission groups: Location to make use of GPS to track the movement, and Photos/Media/Files as it may play audio cues for you.
The application itself is basic when compared to many other apps of its kind but that is not necessarily a bad thing as it offers all the features that you'd expect from a tracking app.
It uses GPS to keep track of your movement which means that you need it enabled before you can make use of it. It ships with a setting to modify the accuracy which can improve battery usage if turned down a level or two.
The application itself is easy to use. All you have to do is select an activity, either one of the preset ones or an unspecified activity, and hit the go button in the interface when you are about to start.
Runbot will track where you go and display information about the current speed, total distance, time and the calories burned so far in the interface.
You can turn off the screen and it will keep tracking your movement.
As far as options are concerned, there are quite a few that may come in handy. The app can inform you about time, distance as well as the current or average speed and pace using audio cues. These can be time based, for instance every 10 minutes, or distance based, for instance every kilometer.
Besides audio cues, it can also stop the recording when you are not moving, change the batter usage/accuracy, the units preference, and change the personal data used to calculate the calories burned during the activity.
It provides you with statistics after an activity, displaying the average time per kilometer, and how much time each individual kilometer took.
Conclusion
Runbot may not be a fancy app with data synchronization or great visuals, but it is highly accurate and works as expected. Battery drain is quite good for an application of its kind, and since you can reduce it further by modifying the accuracy, it should work well and last long on most Android devices you run it on.
Update: Runbot is not available anymore unfortunately. It is unclear why that is the case. We suggest you check out alternatives such as Runtastic Running & Fitness, RunKeeper or Endomondo Running Cycling Walking. Please note that they all offer in-app purchases.
This app is not to be confused with the mobile game “RunBot” by Genera Mobile and Marvelous Games.
This sounds like a good app indeed, except for the fact that it uses GPS tracking to measure walking distances.
If you belong to the small minority of people who are truly privacy-concerned, the problem here is that once you have GPS tracking turned on, all kinds of other background apps (Google default Android apps are a notorious example) may automatically start recording your coordinates too.
Personally I like to keep GPS tracking turned off at all times. I use it only in very rare situations, like when I completely lost my way (normally, for navigation I use offline maps with no GPS positioning).
To track my walking, I use the free version of AccuPedo. This Android walking app does not need GPS at all. Instead, it counts your steps using the phone’s built-in movement sensor. It does so very accurately, and once you’ve taught Accupedo your average lenght-of-step, it will also show your total walking distances very well.
I thought I’d mention this as a good alternative for the (admittedly few) people who don’t like using GPS positioning.
Google has your location regardless of GPS tracking Henk! If your phone is on, they get your location from the cell towers. And if they have it, you can be certain that other non-google apps know how to use the info as well.
Ever access the net using wireless? Another “gotcha”.
Truly, the only way to avoid privacy concerns with a cellphone is to drop completely off the grid.
Hey,i can’t find the app in the Playstore anymore.
I used it before but delete it.
Is it offline?
Does anyone have a contact email address of the developer or an old apk?
Regards ueen
It has been removed apparently. I update the article with some alternatives, give me a second.
The alternatives are very poorly compared to Runbot (cp. In app purchases).
Isn’t there a way to contact the developer and request the latest apk, just for personal use,I really don’t like the commercial competitors.