Danny Gorog30 June 2008, 1:00 PM
Leading makers of gym treadmills, steppers and bikes will soon come with iPod docks and big-screen playback of video and music.
Apple looks set to capitalise on the money making opportunity of tie-ups with the fitness industry, in particular by expanding its existing Nike + iPod system to gym machines.
The current Nike + iPod system is a $48 kit (asensor you place in your shoe, and a dongle you attach to your iPod viathe standard 30-pin connector) which lets your shoes talk to your iPod Nanoand record the distance you've covered on your walk or run. When yousync your iPod, info is transferred to a flash-based website that letsyou plot your progress against your own goals, or compete with othersusing the same system. I briefly used the system last year but foundthat all running did was make me sweat.
However, the deal between the two iconic brands has proven to be a marketing success for both parties, and the functionality has received a good reception from consumers. Apple is about to take this concept to the nextlevel by announcing partnerships with various fitness equipmentproducers including
TechnoGym and
LifeFitness. Both manufacturers have already announced exercise equipment with built-iniPod integration, allowing gym goers to plug in and control their iPods via the touch interface on the exercise equipment.
iPhone compatibility is also coming soon if Apple's recent
patent application is anything to go by. The application shows an extensive interface running on the iPhone. The black and white images show the iPhone interface controlling and monitoring all details, from starting the treadmill to managing the number of bicep curls you do as part of your workout routine.
While details are still scant, the compatible gym equipment uses a similar 30-pin connector that
Apple sell to display video from your iPhone to your TV, and contain the
new 'authentication' chip that Apple only provide to Apple licensed third-party developers.
Instead of watching TV shows and movies on your iPhone or iPod Touch, it would be possible to plug it in to the gym machine's dock and watch the movies on the machine's large screen. Top of the line gym treadmills, steppers and bikes come with 15" displays.
Ifthat's not enough gossip for you, another
article outlines a patent request by Nike for additional sensors that 'maymonitor many different factors, including EKG,heart rate, body temperature and even hydration' to be integrated in to future iPhone compatible products.
While there's been no official announcement from Apple on gym compatibility for the iPhone, it doesn't take a brave man to bet that this announcement is due soon, with an app likely available via the App Store before the end of July.