Apple patent apps reveal plans for iPhone as "lifestyle companion"

While it doesn't exactly come as much of a surprise, it seems that Apple has plenty more goodies in mind for the iPhone (and, presumably, the iPod touch), with a recent batch of no less than six patent applications revealing some of its plans to turn the device into what it describes as a "lifestyle companion." In this case, that rather vague term refers to what is effectively an upgrade to the Nike+iPod system, with the iPhone's accelerometer and other built-in capabilities also coming into play in addition to the usual external sensors. It doesn't stop with workouts, however, with the patent applications also indicating plans for a diet coach of sorts, which could even make use of the iPhone's camera to scan bar codes on products. Those components would also of course all work together, with the system able to suggest workouts based on your diet and physical condition and vice versa. Of course, these being patent applications, there's no indication as to when we might actually see such a system, but it sure seems a good deal more likely than some of Apple's other ideas.

[BenFryc @ Mar 27th 2008 11:56AM]

Those product stills dont look like an iphone or ipod touch. The screen fills the device surface more.

[BuddyBoy @ Mar 27th 2008 1:29PM]

It appears to be a shop of the 5th gen iPod.
Its not uncommon in software patents for the interface to be shown on some wacky looking hardware. The hardware isn't whats inportant it's what the software does and how it looks.

[emailtabs @ Mar 27th 2008 12:07PM]

Goddamit!, looks like an iphone ripoff to me!

(Been waiting for this post for so long)

[Andy @ Mar 27th 2008 2:25PM]

any word on eternal life capability?

[Ty @ Mar 27th 2008 5:07PM]

Any word on Gaydar capabilities?

[Mike @ Mar 27th 2008 5:26PM]

Did anyone else notice how this design looks exactly like the small iPhone icon that was found in the private itunes store pages for developers? I remember engadget had an article about it: http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/03/07/new-iphone-design-leaked-on-the-app-store-highly-unlikely/


considering this design has popped up before (as shown above) I'm really starting to believe they plan on using it for iPhone 2.0.

[Mike @ Mar 27th 2008 5:35PM]

I correct myself, doesn't look exactly the same; but it seems that they are considering this more rectangular design with less empty space at the top and bottom.

[Nabil @ Mar 27th 2008 11:57AM]

iPhone Alert: Your finger are too fat for the keyboard...implement the following treadmill program:

[crho85 @ Mar 27th 2008 12:37PM]

LOL, with your pic as Homer it makes me think of the episode where he gains a ton of weight so he can work at home.

" The fingers you have used to dial this phone are too fat... if you would like to obtain a dialing wand from the phone company please mash the keypad with your palm...Now"

[Nabil @ Mar 27th 2008 12:47PM]

man...I forgot about that episode...that one's a classic

[johnham @ Mar 27th 2008 1:22PM]

I don't see any "Any" key!

[toleraen @ Mar 27th 2008 1:45PM]

I think I'll order a Tab...

[Ryan Trevisol @ Mar 27th 2008 2:20PM]

You forgot? That's the most awesome episode! I was SURE you were referring to that bit when you posted it! :)

[fanman @ Mar 27th 2008 2:44PM]

Why not not just give people a 5 megapixel video camera like they want.

Innovative I know...

[crho85 @ Mar 27th 2008 3:03PM]

@Fanman:

and that has to do with that simpsons episode how?

[Nabil @ Mar 27th 2008 3:06PM]

lol

This has kinda turned into a Simpsons sub-thread

[Nabil @ Mar 27th 2008 3:21PM]

@toleraen

I don't think you can order a Tab on an iPhone. The feature is missing on the keyboard.

try "Esk", "Katarol", or maybe "pigup"

[JQS @ Mar 27th 2008 11:58AM]

Anyone else notice that the device in the photos is missing a home button?

[Fusion @ Mar 27th 2008 1:27PM]

yeah, i did mite have a slightly larger screen

[anonymouspimp @ Mar 27th 2008 12:00PM]

/me makes an "alternative lifestyle" joke, resulting in a "lowest ranked" post.

[sayid @ Mar 27th 2008 12:02PM]

come fanboys, so we can lowrank you!

[Kizorblade @ Mar 27th 2008 12:33PM]

But you're already here!

[sayid @ Mar 27th 2008 12:37PM]

Your negativity is uncalled for.

[Kizorblade @ Mar 27th 2008 1:08PM]

As is your humor.

[Abuzar @ Mar 27th 2008 3:01PM]

What humor?

[sayid @ Mar 27th 2008 8:59PM]

You only low ranked me because your all fanboys.

[Abuzar @ Mar 27th 2008 10:39PM]

Oh no, I actually hate Apple.

[martin @ Mar 27th 2008 12:06PM]

really could do with gps for the workout program, i use sports tracker on my n95 and its really useful for distances and also routes

[不告诉你！ @ Mar 27th 2008 6:54PM]

3x15 with 10lbs dumbells? pffft! Any techie should still be able to do more than that! Well... at least with one handed wrist curls.

[Bufsabre @ Mar 27th 2008 12:06PM]

aren't lifestyle companions a pseudonym for a gay couples?

well i have nothing against gay people, bu i have commonly reffered to the iphone as being quite gay

[Chris @ Mar 27th 2008 12:13PM]

Homophobes are homosexuals in denial.

[Brendan Sheehan @ Mar 27th 2008 1:02PM]

I don't know about that, but I can see why you would say it. Now to say that a touch screen phone is gay could be something though. Maybe your view of a phone is trying to tell you something. My guess is that it's tell you you are a jealous bastard.

[Reader @ Mar 27th 2008 1:14PM]

I must be a spider in denial, since I'm arachnaphobic.

[Bufsabre @ Mar 27th 2008 1:44PM]

im jealous cause you have a phone you can surf the internet with? oh wait mine can do that too. its the fact that people use it as a status symbol, all it means to me is like hanging a big sign infront of you saying 'douchebag' the iphone didnt invent anything new, i just combined a bung of features that have been around for years and everyone treats it like its the greatest thing eve, mac people need to get their heads out their ass and realize that paying twice as much for something doesnt make it better

[jman315 @ Mar 27th 2008 2:06PM]

I love how everyone thinks people buy iphones as status symbols or because everyone else has one and its apple.

I bought one cause its a pretty good phone and i like it. woopty doo

[Bufsabre @ Mar 27th 2008 2:12PM]

hate to break it to you jman but most people do use apple products as a status symbol, you are in the minority of the people who are actual users, and i appretiate you in that category, but i know tons of apple users who just flaunt about with all their apple products, talk condescending and act high and mighty, and the next person to tell me about how much better their iphone is over my samsung with out giving any real reason other than it looks pretty is getting it thrown on the ground and having the 250lbs of flesh that is me stomped on it

[jman315 @ Mar 27th 2008 2:17PM]

true. ill actually hide my iphone at moments cause i dont want people to talk to me about it. ha

[DP @ Mar 27th 2008 3:13PM]

How on God's homosexless, green earth is Chris highly ranked?

[Greenteacookiedough @ Mar 27th 2008 12:20PM]

Cool

[CosterMonger @ Mar 27th 2008 12:20PM]

I'm Patenting the idea for the exercise equipment dock with built-in speakers so you can here the various voices like Bruce or Victoria and now Alex telling you to "feel" the "burn"

the iPod will be able to tell what speed you are doing things at and how good your are improving over the weeks and setup the exercise equipment to further increase the difficulty depending on your fitness, the wifi will scan the "i" equipment in the room and suggest an exercise regiment accordingly.

Patent Pending and copyright: Me :)

[Alex Padilla @ Mar 27th 2008 12:23PM]

You know what makes me happy? Look at those pictures and see what they're demonstrating. Strength Training! It's funny, but there are some tech junkies out there that are devoted to their body. I know...surprising, isn't it?

I am extremely pleased to see that Apple is evolving the Nike+ program, as I had so desperately asked them to do.

[channy @ Mar 27th 2008 12:30PM]

I think that should read:

"...more goodies in mind for the iPhone (and, presumably, for an unnecessary additional fee, the iPod touch)..."

[Steffen Jobbs @ Mar 27th 2008 12:31PM]

I now pronounce you man and companion. You may kiss the device.
Is there nothing an iPod or iPhone can't do?

[Samurai Jack @ Mar 27th 2008 2:18PM]

Clearly you're referencing the post above by our friend Homer J. Simpson. However you got his line wrong. It should be: "Donuts. Is there nothing they can't do?"

Of course he was talking about monorails but I suppose a mobile phone works too.

[Hulk Herman @ Mar 27th 2008 12:32PM]

Makes sense - with all the G-sensors in Apple's devices being used as an exercise-adjunct is a logical move.

Jogging meter anyone?

[Blaktornado @ Mar 27th 2008 12:34PM]

I bet most of Engadget's readers would need this. Fat or not.

[Ben Grimsbo @ Mar 27th 2008 12:40PM]

I'd buy that for a dollar.

[Matt Peckham @ Mar 27th 2008 12:41PM]

Looks a lot like they are taking the gyminee.com concept one step further, cool, but boo on them. They should work with existing companies that are doing great things with the iPhone UI.

It's the screen that matters, not the device it's on, therefore, no home button, homey.

[Collin @ Mar 27th 2008 12:48PM]

I want to see that camera integrated with a Delicious Library touch app!

[Balam Herrera @ Mar 27th 2008 12:50PM]

If this happens I will most likely buy an iphone. But I dont like pedometers for my runs. I would need a GPS tracker y apple wants my money