A workout app that has to work from the sofa, across the room, on a TV-sized screen and with nothing but a remote or voice. Adidas Training by Runtastic on Facebook Portal TV was an exercise in designing for a device nobody holds.
About the brand
Runtastic is the fitness app brand from Adidas, now sold as the adidas Running and adidas Training apps. They track runs, walks, hikes and cycling and offer workouts, and logged activities earn adiClub points. Adidas is a German sportswear company headquartered in Herzogenaurach. Source: Wikipedia. Source: adidas Running on Google Play.
My role
I built the Adidas Training by Runtastic app for the Facebook Portal TV device.
What I built
- Ported the Adidas Training Android app to Android TV on Facebook Portal TV as the sole developer, in partnership with Adidas and Facebook.
- Built video playback and download, guided timed workouts and training plans personalised to the user's body data, with fitness tracking and rewards.
Architecture and approach
- Android TV UI built for the ten-foot experience: focus handling, large type and remote or voice navigation.
- Video playback and offline download of workout content.
- A workout engine for guided, timed sessions that drives video, timers and tracking together.
- Sole-developer delivery: architecture, build pipeline and release owned end to end.
Hard problems
Designing for focus, not touch
Android TV has no touch. Every screen needed predictable focus order, so a person can start a workout with a remote or voice from across a room.
Reusing a phone app on a TV
The mobile app's logic had to be adapted to a different input model, screen size and device, without forking the product.
Outcome
- Delivered in four months, November 2020 to March 2021.
- Shipped on a new smart-display TV device for Adidas and Facebook.
Tech and keywords
- Android TV
- Android
- Kotlin
- Facebook Portal
- Video playback
- Offline download
- Fitness tracking
- Rewards
- Voice interface
- Sole developer
Quick facts
- App: Adidas Training by Runtastic
- Category: Sportswear and fitness
- Built by: David Miller, Digital Space Agency, Hamburg
- Type: Client work
Discuss a similar project All work
No mail app? Open in Gmail or write to info@dsa.team
FAQ
What did David Miller do on Adidas Training by Runtastic?
I built the Adidas Training by Runtastic app for the Facebook Portal TV device. Details of scope and stack are shared on request.
Who developed the Adidas Training by Runtastic app?
Adidas Training by Runtastic work was done by David Miller of Digital Space Agency, a Flutter and mobile developer based in Hamburg. I built the Adidas Training by Runtastic app for the Facebook Portal TV device.
Can David Miller build a similar app?
Yes. I take contract engagements and am open to full-time roles, working in Hamburg or remotely on CET. Email info@dsa.team with a short description of the project.