iPhone 5s Includes New 'M7' Motion Coprocessor for Health and Fitness Tracking

Apple's iPhone 5s is equipped with both an A7 processor and a new "M7" chip that is otherwise known as a "motion coprocessor." It is designed to work alongside the A7 processor, capturing motion data from the phone's compass, accelerometer, and gyroscope to power a new generation of health and fitness apps.

Every iPhone 5s includes the new M7 motion coprocessor that gathers data from the accelerometer, gyroscope and compass to offload work from the A7 for improved power efficiency. Developers can also access new CoreMotion APIs that take advantage of M7, so they can create even better fitness and activity apps that go well beyond what other mobile devices offer. The M7 motion coprocessor continuously measures your motion data, even when the device is asleep, and saves battery life for pedometer or other fitness apps that use the accelerometer all day.

Alongside the M7 chip, Apple has also introduced new CoreMotion APIs that can take advantage of the M7 coprocessor to create improved fitness and activity apps that are unavailable on similar devices. The M7 coprocessor is able to measure and track all movement data, even when the phone is asleep, and because it's a secondary processor, it saves battery life while allowing pedometer-style apps to run in the background.

Nike has introduced the first new app that will take advantage of the technology. Nike+ Move is able to determine when a user is walking, driving, or stationary, and it works with the Nike Fuel movement ratings, integrating them into Game Center.

The iPhone 5s, which includes the M7 chip, will be available for purchase beginning on September 20. The phone will be priced at $199 for the 16GB version, with a 2-year contract.