App Wrap: "Arookoo," "Fit Friendzy," "SoftRace"

By: Adam Balkin

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NY1 highlights the coolest and newest apps for your cell phone or mobile device in the twice-weekly segment “App Wrap.” NY1’s Adam Balkin filed the following report.

Arookoo

It can be hard to get motivated to exercise, but there are some new apps that can make it a lot easier.

Arookoo is a relatively new app from Reader's Digest that pits you against your friends in walking challenges.

It uses the iPhone as a pedometer to count your steps and offers you challenges to do yourself, either pure distance challenges or so-called "star" challenges.

Those are based on locations of interest around the world that pop up based on where you're standing. Completing one of these challenges earns the user a star.

There's also a social aspect to it. The app allows friends to invite one another to walking circles and participate in challenges against one another.

The app lets friends compete to see who accomplishes the goals first and it can even keep track of all the participant's progress real time.

Arookoo is a free app available only for the iPhone.

Fit Friendzy

Fit Friendzy by GE and MedHealth has a similar premise, but this app allows users to challenge friends or complete strangers to more than 150 fitness challenges.

Ranging from choosing the furthest parking spot in a parking lot to running a full marathon, the app has something for people of all fitness levels.

Fit Friendzy is available for free on the iPhone.