In a patent filing, titled "Interfacing portable media devices and sports equipment," Apple describes a system wherein fitness equipment and sports accessories communicate with a portable media player. This, in turn, would allow users across the globe to engage in real-time, head-to-head workout competitions.
The patent builds up on the already available Nike+ iPod technology, by adding real-time capabilities to it. The data obtained by the sensors on these portable devices can additionally be synced to various destinations, like a user's desktop or to a dedicated web portal. The data is synced at periodic intervals, thus preventing any significant data loss in case of abrupt termination of the workout.
Apple describes the real-time workout in a bit more detail:
Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides real-time, head-to-head competition. These competitions may be between two or more people in one or more locations. Competition data may be shared and displayed to each user. Data may be shared using a wired, wireless, or optical link over a cellular, Internet, LAN, or other type of network.
Although not mentioned in the patent application, Apple's proposed gamification of workouts could be enhanced with a Game Center type layer on top, with achievements and leader-boards and possibly a listing of all possible accessories compatible with iOS devices.
Although it's quite obvious that every reference to a "portable device" in the patent application actually means an iOS device, nowhere in the application is the term "iOS" even mentioned. Nor does it mention Nike+, as AppleInsider notes.
[via Apple Insider]
good luck apple on that…
This was done a long time ago with things like rowing machines in big competition. The only thing really different here is that they are calling it a “portable media device.” The idea of syncing music across devices is kind of cool. Basically a turntable.fm session for the people in the room would do that now.
Wont be as easy as it appears seems!