Apple is rolling out a new Apple Watch feature for its premium subscription service where celebrities and athletes talk to you as you walk.
The feature is called “Time to Walk,” and Apple says it’s an “inspiring new audio walking experience” that Fitness+ subscribers can use to motivate themselves during exercise.
Time to Walk features celebrities like iconic singer/songwriter Dolly Parton, basketball player Draymond Green, actress Uzo Aduba, and singer Shawn Mendes who have individual episodes where they share stories, photos, and music that mean something to them.
“Walking is the most popular physical activity in the world, and one of the healthiest things we can do for our bodies. A walk can often be more than just exercise: It can help clear the mind, solve a problem, or welcome a new perspective,” Apple boss Jay Blahnik said in a a release. “Even throughout this challenging period of time, one activity that has remained available to many is walking.”
As an example, Parton’s episode sees the singer reflect on her life and career from her upbringing in rural Tennessee to her international stardom. Green’s episode sees the athlete discuss the virtues of failure, while Aduba talks about lifelong relationships; Mendes discusses how his effort to slow down his life has helped him personally and professionally.
“Each Time to Walk episode is shaped by the guest’s personal, life-shaping moments and includes lessons learned, meaningful memories, thoughts on purpose and gratitude, moments of levity, and other thought-provoking topics, recorded while walking outside or in locations that are meaningful to them,” Apple said in its announcement.
At certain moments, photos will appear on Apple Watch, while a playlist of songs selected by the guest will pop up after the storytime has ended.
There are four episodes out right now, and new ones from different guests will appear every Monday until the end of April. Each episode is between 25 and 40 minutes.
Apple Fitness+ costs $10/month or $80/year, though one subscription can be shared with up to six family members at no extra cost. The service requires an Apple Watch Series 3 or later, along with an iPhone 6 or later, or iPhone SE.
