Apple Digital Fitness Companion System?

[DCAppleDude]

Try This

I've used Gyminee.com, which has an iPhone interface:

http://www.gyminee.com/public/iPhone-workout-journal

 

[billabong]

Maybe this will be a whole new iPod not just software

iPod sport

or something like that..

It will have a smaller rugged durable body version of the iPod touch, maybe water resistant (for sweat or rain) now water proof would be very cool but pushing it. Built in Nike+ sensor (no more plugging in your Nike dongle) Plus all this stuff talked about in the patent (Workout tracker, diet, fitness companion)

Now that would be very cool, and would sell very well. Put it below the touch, but above the nano just between in price range. This would be a hit for Apple.

Something like this....

 

[jmadlena]

I'm glad Apple has been working on this instead of ACD and Mini updates.

I know! You'd think that a multi-billion dollar company could work on more than one thing at a time. Oh wait... they do. A lot.

I know it sucks that there hasn't been more than a minor ACD change in years, but it doesn't mean that they aren't working on it.

 

[billabong]

This could be linked to this old patent about music BPM http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/25/apple-patents-workout-music-matching/

 

[Bubba Satori]

I know! You'd think that a multi-billion dollar company could work on more than one thing at a time. Oh wait... they do. A lot.

I know it sucks that there hasn't been more than a minor ACD change in years, but it doesn't mean that they aren't working on it.

Well, that's good news. I hear 3Drealms is continuing to work on Duke Nukem Forever, also.

 

[KidStallyn]

I love the idea and the concept....

 

[flipperfeet]

A good start would be to introduce speed and cadence sensors to make the ipod bike compatible. Beyond that, I would like to see integration with wireless heart-rate, maybe some type of power sensor. (maybe integration with PowerTap or SRM.)

Of course, all of this would a lot easier for a company like Polar to do since they already have all the sensors available (although it might seriously cut into their head and watch unit sales).

With the SDK now available, it would not surprise me if someone builds a plug-in receiver unit to make the ipod compatible with the vast array of bike based sensors already on the market. No need to really reinvent anything, just a need to work on the compatibilities.

The benefit to working with the iPhone / iPod as a base is the massive amount of storage and user-interface superiority to any of the bike based fitness measuring equipment on the market.

The problem at present is that the third party apps will not run in the background. If Apple brings the Nike+ capabilities to the iPhone and iTouch there might actually be a way to piggyback on that so you can run a monitor while listening to music.

 

[beeh]

Check out the product round-up on podophile, the author seems to have covered the non-Nike shoe adapter options fairly completely
http://podophile.com/2006/11/30/nike-ipod-shoe-hack-and-sensor-accessory-round-up/

I've had the Nike+ kit for my 1st Gen. 4GB Nano for a couple years now, and I've never owned the Nike shoes. I just stuff it in a plastic bag, push it under my laces and wrap the bag around the laces and tuck it into my shoe, then wrap a rubber band around my shoe to help. Never had a problem.

It's a nice kit, I like it to keep me consistent. I think this Touch SW would be cool, seems like it would be great for an aerobic or weight workout or even Yoga, Tai Chi or something like that. I've used the Touch before, playing a Tai-Chi video and I just listen and move along with it ( can't watch the video while it's strapped to my arm, but I already know the positions ).

Anything to get people moving is a good idea.