hiking Archives

AppWizard

January 3, 2026

Longmont events for Friday, Jan. 2: Minecraft Scavenger Hunt at Longmont Public Library

Families can participate in a Minecraft scavenger hunt at the Longmont Public Library at 9 a.m., with prizes available until January 4 or while supplies last. Sugar Britches will perform at Bricks on Main at 6 p.m., and admission is free. Bootstrap Brewing Company will host the Midnight Hour concert at 6 p.m. featuring Motown music. On Saturday at 8:30 a.m., residents can drop off holiday trees for free chipping at the Town of Lyons Utility Building. A concert celebrating Lynyrd Skynyrd and 38 Special will take place at Bootstrap Brewing Company at 11 a.m. The Wolf Moon Night Hike will occur at 4:30 p.m. at Ron Stewart Preserve. "Nunsense" will be performed at Jesters Dinner Theatre on Sunday at 2 p.m., with ticket prices varying. Adult Drag Bingo will be held at Left Hand Brewing at 6 p.m. on Sunday. Bilingual storytime for children ages 5 and under will take place at Longmont Public Library on Monday at 10 a.m. An open play session for children ages 4 and under will be hosted at the library at 10:30 a.m. on Monday. A drop-in writers group will meet at the library at 6 p.m. on Monday. A watercolor class for participants aged 18 and older will be held at the Firehouse Art Center at noon on Tuesday. The Longmont Public Library will offer a Silent Hour for teens at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Dungeons & Dragons sessions will take place at the library at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Sketch Club for teen artists will be held at Carbon Valley Regional Library at 4 p.m. on Wednesday. A Make and Take activity will be hosted in the Children’s Area of the Longmont Public Library at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

AppWizard

December 24, 2025

4 Essential Android Smartwatch Apps You Should Always Install First

Google Gemini's Wear OS app is a successor to Google Assistant, offering voice control, AI-driven reasoning, and automation for tasks like checking the weather, sending messages, and managing smart home devices. It enhances fitness app management, allowing users to control workouts without touching the device. Gemini integrates with Google services for real-time health inquiries and improves email productivity by summarizing and drafting responses. Google Keep is a note-taking app that allows text and voice input for capturing ideas and creating lists on an Android smartwatch. It features quick access through watch tiles and complications but lacks full editing capabilities. Strava is a fitness tracking app that allows users to monitor activities directly from their smartwatch, using built-in GPS to log routes and metrics. It syncs data to the mobile app after workouts, though social features are limited on the watch. SleepisolBio is a sleep management app that tracks heart rate and sleep patterns, offering therapy options and personalized recommendations. It operates on a freemium model, providing many features for free, but requires smartphone setup for effective use on a smartwatch.

AppWizard

November 22, 2025

Five Android apps to challenge Google Fit

Google Fit is a foundational tool for Android users, but many are looking for more comprehensive fitness insights and community engagement. Alternative applications provide enhanced features and deeper analytics tailored to various training styles. Strava is a social platform for endurance athletes with over 100 million users, offering features like segment leaderboards and route planning, making it ideal for GPS-centric sports. Samsung Health integrates sleep coaching, stress metrics, and body composition estimates, providing a holistic dashboard for daily monitoring, especially effective with Galaxy devices. MyFitnessPal focuses on nutrition and weight goals, featuring a database of over 14 million foods for easy meal logging and customizable macro goals. Hevy is designed for strength training, offering a streamlined logging system for workouts and progress tracking, with a lightweight social component. AllTrails caters to hikers and trail runners, providing access to over 400,000 curated routes and safety features, including offline maps and GPS tracking. Users can choose an app based on their primary fitness goals, with options for GPS and community engagement, overall wellness, nutrition tracking, strength training, or outdoor adventures, all benefiting from data interoperability through Health Connect by Android.

AppWizard

November 22, 2025

5 apps to use instead of Google Fit

Google Fit allows users to track daily steps, monitor weight, and review activity history but lacks advanced features such as social functionalities and detailed workout tracking. Strava is a community-driven platform that combines social media with fitness tracking, supporting over 40 activities and integrating with wearable devices. It offers free access, with premium features available for an annual fee. Samsung Health provides comprehensive tracking, including meal logging and hydration monitoring, particularly beneficial for Galaxy device users, with additional features for Galaxy Watch owners. MyFitnessPal focuses on nutrition tracking, allowing users to manage dietary intake and caloric needs, with a subscription available for enhanced features. Hevy is designed for weightlifters, enabling personalized training plans and progress tracking, with social features for sharing fitness journeys. A subscription is required for full access. AllTrails is tailored for hiking and trail running, allowing users to discover and customize routes, with community features for sharing experiences. A subscription is needed for offline map downloads.

AppWizard

November 1, 2025

Brendan Greene’s open-world survival roguelike hikes into early access later this month, and it’ll actually let you save your run through its brutal wilderness

Prologue: Go Wayback!, developed by Brendan Greene's PlayerUnknown Productions, has been in open beta for two and a half months and will launch in early access on November 20. The game features a hiking simulation where players trek from a cabin to a weather tower, with unique maps generated by machine-learning technology. The terrain and weather create challenging survival scenarios. The early access version will introduce two new modes: Objective: Survive, focusing on survival challenges, and Free Roam, allowing exploration without hazards. Additional features include a map editor, map seed sharing, and a mid-run save option, which has been complex to implement. The game's reception will be significant for Greene's long-term vision of creating expansive gaming platforms.

AppWizard

September 24, 2025

Baby Steps review roundup: ‘Is it possible to love and hate a game at the same time?’ (The answer, clearly, is yes)

Baby Steps, created by Bennett Foddy, Gabe Cuzzillo, and Maxi Boch, has launched and received mixed reviews from critics. Many players express frustration and amusement, with some noting the game's pacing and mechanics as challenging. IGN awarded it a 9/10, praising its quirky physics and rewarding gameplay. Polygon highlighted its eccentricity, while Eurogamer suggested it is more forgiving than it seems. TheGamer's review called it a standout title despite some humor falling flat. Push Square noted its narrative depth and challenging gameplay, referring to it as a "rage-bait game." The Verge appreciated its unique take on hiking, contrasting it with more serene portrayals in other games. ShackNews rated it 7/10, sharing a critical view of the final challenge. DualShockers provided a negative critique, comparing it unfavorably to The Room. Despite these varied responses, 91% of early reviews on Steam are favorable, indicating a dedicated audience for the game.

AppWizard

September 13, 2025

This physics platformer about a wiggly worm that travels into space has even got Tim Schafer excited: ‘It looks super cute and fun’

Riley Neville is developing a quirky annelid simulator game called Wirm, which focuses on the enjoyable experience of being a worm rather than challenging gameplay. The game is set to launch later this year and has already garnered attention from gaming enthusiasts, including Tim Schafer. Neville previously created a successful physics-platformer titled Webbed, which received an 'Overwhelmingly Positive' rating on Steam. Wirm will include elements set in space, as hinted by Neville. Additionally, Bennett Foddy is releasing a new 3D hiking simulator called Baby Steps, which aims to provide a more accessible experience compared to his previous games.

AppWizard

September 8, 2025

Can AI help you become a better runner? I tried the latest tech at IFA to find out

In 2025, wearable technology, including smartwatches, bands, and rings, has become integral for fitness and health monitoring, with companies like Apple, Samsung, and Strava incorporating AI coaching features. At IFA 2025 in Berlin, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8's Running Coach software was tested, revealing limitations in personalization and fixed training goals that may not align with individual user objectives. The author also explored the Hypershell X Ultra exoskeleton, an AI-powered device designed to assist leg movement during physical activities, which adapts to individual stride patterns using data from over 12 sensors. While the exoskeleton enhances mobility for walking and hiking, it may restrict running performance due to its design. The Hypershell X Ultra includes a fitness mode that allows users to increase resistance, potentially benefiting advanced runners. The contrast between AI software limitations and the dynamic capabilities of AI hardware is noted, with the latter offering promising training enhancements.

AppWizard

August 9, 2025

Google Maps sucks on unpaved roads, so I use this open source app instead

Google Maps is primarily designed for well-marked, paved roads and does not adequately highlight gravel routes, making it less effective for navigating unpaved paths. In a poll, 55% of users preferred OsmAnd for unpaved road navigation, compared to 20% for Google Maps. OsmAnd offers features like a color-coded system for road types, offline map support for entire regions, and the ability to import KML or GPX files. However, it has challenges such as cumbersome customization options, less detailed information compared to Google Maps, and performance issues on Android Auto.

AppWizard

August 8, 2025

The Essential Android Apps You Should Try This August

As of August 2025, Android users have access to a variety of applications aimed at enhancing productivity, creativity, communication, and personal development. Notable apps include: - Stream Deck: Transforms Android devices into customizable control centers for tasks like live streaming and video editing. - Bit Chat: Enables offline communication via a Bluetooth mesh network, useful in areas without Wi-Fi or cellular service. - Cantra: Allows users to remove pre-installed apps without root access, improving device performance and storage. - GM Way: Customizes social media interactions by hiding notifications and ads to create a distraction-free environment. - Textband: Facilitates the creation of shortcuts for frequently used phrases, streamlining communication. - Timeark: Adds real-time timestamps, geotags, and labels to photos and videos for accurate documentation. - Rare Vision: Offers 1980s VHS-style video effects for retro-inspired content creation. - Adobe Firefly: Uses AI to simplify design tasks, enabling users to generate images and videos easily. - Nomad Table: Connects users to local events and meetups for networking and community engagement. - Imprint: Provides bite-sized lessons on various topics, making learning accessible for busy individuals.