Apple exploring fitness training, sales iPhone app with social elements
Apple has shown interest in creating a digital personal trainer for the iPhone, letting people know when they should go to the gym, what exercises they should do, what they should eat, and even allowing users to compete with their friends and be ranked on their performance.
Apple's potential plans for a "full fitness experience" on the iPhone were revealed this week in a newly published patent application entitled "Systems and Methods for Accessing Personalized Fitness Services Using a Portable Electronic Device." Discovered by AppleInsider, the described software would see Apple partner with local fitness centers and sell memberships and workout equipment through the application.
The described software would accomplish a multitude of fitness-related goals, including finding the nearest gym, determining when an upcoming workout class is scheduled, charting fitness performance and goals, tracking calories consumed, and detailing how to perform certain workouts. Services would be broken into four categories: "New Customers," "Getting There," "In the Gym," and "Post Workout."
Apple's fitness application would also have a social element in the form of a leaderboard, allowing users to compare themselves with their friends and engage in a bit of healthy competition. In one example, the user is notified on their iPhone that "Amanda just ran 1 mile in 6:34 minutes! Can you beat that?" Friends can also use the software to invite one another to go to the gym.
Upon launching the fitness application, new customers would be able to view a list of local health centers and gyms. Here, they would be able to view available classes, services and promotions at each location, and compare options before choosing to enroll via the iPhone.
Once a gym is selected, users can obtain news and updates through the application, including special promotions. Potential "upsells" include advanced classes and personal trainers, workout programs and videos, and how-to guides for equipment.
The application could even drive sales on the iTunes Store, with one proposed revenue creating element selling customers music playlists from standardized group workout classes.
Apple could also partner with other companies to take a cut of "affiliate offers" provided through the iPhone software. The patent application notes that products such as workout attire, exercise equipment, power drinks, power bars and other popular items with gym rats would be ideal to sell to users.
A big part of Apple's proposed invention is motivation. In addition to the social competition element, the software would provide incentives to users who meet their workout goals, in the form of coupons or free gifts.
And for those who aren't so strict about going to the gym, the application will also serve users reminders that they are not meeting their schedule. These notifications would include quick links for services like booking a training session or adding a workout session to the user's calendar.
The proposed invention, made public this week by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, was first filed in October of 2009. It is credited to Stanley Carl Ng and Michael Hailey.
Apple has consistently shown interest in fitness through its patent filings with the USPTO. Just last year, the company's interest in a "virtual competitor" for fitness enthusiasts was revealed. Such a program would provide new sources of motivation in an effort to push athletes farther.
Since 2006, Apple has also worked closely with Nike to bring a range of fitness-related products and services to its iPod and iPhone devices. The "Nike +" software even comes built in to the iPhone, allowing runners to track their speed and distance with a separately sold pedometer.
Apple's potential plans for a "full fitness experience" on the iPhone were revealed this week in a newly published patent application entitled "Systems and Methods for Accessing Personalized Fitness Services Using a Portable Electronic Device." Discovered by AppleInsider, the described software would see Apple partner with local fitness centers and sell memberships and workout equipment through the application.
The described software would accomplish a multitude of fitness-related goals, including finding the nearest gym, determining when an upcoming workout class is scheduled, charting fitness performance and goals, tracking calories consumed, and detailing how to perform certain workouts. Services would be broken into four categories: "New Customers," "Getting There," "In the Gym," and "Post Workout."
Apple's fitness application would also have a social element in the form of a leaderboard, allowing users to compare themselves with their friends and engage in a bit of healthy competition. In one example, the user is notified on their iPhone that "Amanda just ran 1 mile in 6:34 minutes! Can you beat that?" Friends can also use the software to invite one another to go to the gym.
Upon launching the fitness application, new customers would be able to view a list of local health centers and gyms. Here, they would be able to view available classes, services and promotions at each location, and compare options before choosing to enroll via the iPhone.
Once a gym is selected, users can obtain news and updates through the application, including special promotions. Potential "upsells" include advanced classes and personal trainers, workout programs and videos, and how-to guides for equipment.
The application could even drive sales on the iTunes Store, with one proposed revenue creating element selling customers music playlists from standardized group workout classes.
Apple could also partner with other companies to take a cut of "affiliate offers" provided through the iPhone software. The patent application notes that products such as workout attire, exercise equipment, power drinks, power bars and other popular items with gym rats would be ideal to sell to users.
A big part of Apple's proposed invention is motivation. In addition to the social competition element, the software would provide incentives to users who meet their workout goals, in the form of coupons or free gifts.
And for those who aren't so strict about going to the gym, the application will also serve users reminders that they are not meeting their schedule. These notifications would include quick links for services like booking a training session or adding a workout session to the user's calendar.
The proposed invention, made public this week by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, was first filed in October of 2009. It is credited to Stanley Carl Ng and Michael Hailey.
Apple has consistently shown interest in fitness through its patent filings with the USPTO. Just last year, the company's interest in a "virtual competitor" for fitness enthusiasts was revealed. Such a program would provide new sources of motivation in an effort to push athletes farther.
Since 2006, Apple has also worked closely with Nike to bring a range of fitness-related products and services to its iPod and iPhone devices. The "Nike +" software even comes built in to the iPhone, allowing runners to track their speed and distance with a separately sold pedometer.
Comments
Apple has consistently shown interest in fitness through its patent filings with the USPTO. Just last year, the company's interest in a "virtual competitor" for fitness enthusiasts was revealed. Such a program would provide new sources of motivation in an effort to push athletes farther.
I hope they start to show as much interest in education as they do in fitness. The iPad and iPhone have the potential to be great assets to education.
I wonder how this might work into AR app development? Hopefully that the technology is designed for a range of sports applications beyond the gym. I work indoors all day and I'd prefer not doing something as repetitive as reps on a machine when I can. It would be good to see Apple open the tech up to other sports specific developers. That ability would surely make this tech the "gold standard" if you will, especially with so much tech in the iPhone. I'm still impressed with the accurateness of the GPS on iPhone 4 for instance. Even on the mountains.
Oh and using your location, gathered from your iPhone, it could take into account your local weather ... oh wait a minute ...
I hope they start to show as much interest in education as they do in fitness. The iPad and iPhone have the potential to be great assets to education.
Are you kidding? Have you not seen the "Apple helps kids with special needs promotions" (my shorthand phrasing) along with a slew of other everyday educational "ads"?
This seems odd, I would leave this to the iOS dev community. It almost seems like they are testing some waters.
Something this massive would take setting up deals with tons of companies and that's something the common developer would find hard to achieve. So it makes sense that Apple would do it themselves
Plus even if they don't, if they get a patent on it then whoever does do it has to pay them a licensing fee. Say someone doing it for Android etc.
Some of the features are only available throught the app makers website, but they are in the process of migrating these features to the app. I cant see a patent being awarded on this.
I loved Nike+ when it came out a few years ago, but I think RunKeeper Pro and a few others actually do a better job now of tracking run/bike/swim workouts and integrating an app, web site, and social networking functions.
Apple has shown interest in creating a digital personal trainer for the iPhone, ...
This illuminates one of the few things I can't stand about Apple. They are all obsessively crazy for fitness and training. I like being healthy and fit, but the deep obsession with it that many of their employees and management have is far from healthy.
It's certainly no surprise that Nike and Apple work together so closely.
Also, gotta love how they misspelled "strength" in one of the graphics.
Can anyone actually work out what part of this actually a new invention? As far as I can its no different to a lot of existing apps but with coupons for motivation.
Novelty lies not just in the parts, but also in how they are put together.
Crazy.