Apple patent apps reveal plans for iPhone as "lifestyle companion"
By Donald Melanson 
posted Mar 27th 2008 11:50AM
posted Mar 27th 2008 11:50AM
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.
Those product stills dont look like an iphone or ipod touch. The screen fills the device surface more.
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.
Goddamit!, looks like an iphone ripoff to me!
(Been waiting for this post for so long)
any word on eternal life capability?
Any word on Gaydar capabilities?
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.
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.
iPhone Alert: Your finger are too fat for the keyboard...implement the following treadmill program:
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"
man...I forgot about that episode...that one's a classic
I don't see any "Any" key!
I think I'll order a Tab...
You forgot? That's the most awesome episode! I was SURE you were referring to that bit when you posted it! :)
Why not not just give people a 5 megapixel video camera like they want.
Innovative I know...
@Fanman:
and that has to do with that simpsons episode how?
lol
This has kinda turned into a Simpsons sub-thread
@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"
Anyone else notice that the device in the photos is missing a home button?
yeah, i did mite have a slightly larger screen
/me makes an "alternative lifestyle" joke, resulting in a "lowest ranked" post.
come fanboys, so we can lowrank you!
But you're already here!
Your negativity is uncalled for.
As is your humor.
What humor?
You only low ranked me because your all fanboys.
Oh no, I actually hate Apple.
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
3x15 with 10lbs dumbells? pffft! Any techie should still be able to do more than that! Well... at least with one handed wrist curls.
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.
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
Homophobes are homosexuals in denial.
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.
I must be a spider in denial, since I'm arachnaphobic.
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
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
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
true. ill actually hide my iphone at moments cause i dont want people to talk to me about it. ha
How on God's homosexless, green earth is Chris highly ranked?
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 :)
Cool
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.
Makes sense - with all the G-sensors in Apple's devices being used as an exercise-adjunct is a logical move.
Jogging meter anyone?
I think that should read:
"...more goodies in mind for the iPhone (and, presumably, for an unnecessary additional fee, the iPod touch)..."
I now pronounce you man and companion. You may kiss the device.
Is there nothing an iPod or iPhone can't do?
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.
I bet most of Engadget's readers would need this. Fat or not.
I'd buy that for a dollar.
I want to see that camera integrated with a Delicious Library touch app!
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
I think it's funny how Engadget has this story about Apple and not TUAW...
Nokia Sports Tracker? Anyone?
http://sportstracker.nokia.com/
Patents suck. Apple should focus on being leaders, not hoarders.
Patents don't suck. The system does.
So you're saying that once they innovate something, it's fine for others to just steal their idea?
I'm sure you're a nice guy, but these companies are out to make money.
Being open is a competitive factor, if people make it one. Companies with offensive patent policies should be discriminated against. It's not like "being finished" is in sight. Business is supposed to serve people, not make some people wealthy by hoarding knowledge. It's not like companies like Apple aren't making money. If patents continue they way they've been going, it will be impossible for smaller companies to innovate, legal will become more important than innovation, "business" will come to a bunch of backroom handshakes like it has become in many industries.
And this doesn't even address what you pointed out, that the patent system is broken in the first place.
And by the way, there is a big difference between "innovate" and "invent." Much of the tech we use was "invented" in some form in the 60s or earlier but "innovated" (introduced en masse) recently. And invention "stands on the shoulders of giants," others who contributed their knowledge previously. It is impossible to break any product down into its inventions, every product consists of an uncountable number of inventions and innovations. Apple is not trying to protect original research that they spent decades developing (something only companies like IBM or Intel, who participate with universities and government in fundamental research to develop things like new storage or chip technologies). They are opportunistically setting traps to slow progress and hinder potential competitors.
Now where's that Sexual educational tutorial? I need help with the "Standing 69" Apple! And the accelerometer could be used for measuring speed, agility and force. It's a gold mine I tell ya.
I don't want anything more technologically advanced than a condom in the bedroom with me, least of all my phone telling me that I'm not doing it with the proper amount of force. Damn dude, no.
I live in FL. They should make an app where you can get on the turnpike without going though a toll booth like the sunpass.
You'd still get stuck paying tolls one way or another. If they don't have tollbooths on the enter/exit ramps, they there's going to be one in between.
btw, where in Florida are you from?
Lifestyle companion? I don't see no penis.
At least you can admit it. :)
Wii Fit already uses the accelerometers in the Wii Mote to track running and other exercises already. Looking it over, almost everything listed here has been done already.
I think it's great Apple is going to do this, but trying to patent it will probably result in them losing them when they try and enforce them.
So if they added a bluetooth heart rate monitor that would track your heart rate and keep you in your specified zone that would be awesome as well. So when you are done with a run you can see a map of where you went in google and a graph of your heart rate or something like that. I think that would be awesome but thats just me.
geez!how many times they going release the same dam thing its never better.
I sorta want the iPod Touch to be a little portable portal to the outside world. Just with more space and about $100-200 cheaper. I think im in love with the idea of what the iPhone/iPod touch can be, its just not fully realized yet. I guess we'll see when software starts coming out for it.
finally, a device that will remind me how to do bicep cuRls. THANKS APPLE!
iPhone: Your fat! Run more! Eat less!
Me: Shut up, my Dr has been telling me that for years
iPhone: Your not running!
Me: Got anything to say now?!
iPhone is asian?
Uh, I wasnt getting at that...but ok. Where is it made?
There was another part that seems to have been lost on the submital...I phail.
iPhone: Your fat! Run more! Eat less!
Me: Shut up, my Dr has been telling me that for years
iPhone: Your not running!
Me: {throughs iPhone against wall}Got anything to say now?!
"iPhone: You fat! Run more! Eat less!"
I can totally imagine some asian dude on Family Guy saying that part.
"All your ass are belong to us!" - lifestyle companion
@Phil: Grats! I like that response.
In a word WOW! Apple is really driving innovation like no other company! Very exciting stuff! The iPhone platform is so flexible. Hold on to your hats!
Something else I liked: http://budcase.com
looks like the unlock guys will have to do something again... I really appreciate their effort of what they're doing. apple should hire these guys not fighting against them.
I don't know about other people, but when I exercise I try to leave any extraneous b.s. at home. Especially at the gym... what kind of goofball would lift weights with an iPhone strapped to them? And running... this makes no sense. Who wants a giant, fragile iPhone tagging along while running?
The geek in me likes the applications mentioned here, but the athlete in me sees this as just stupid.
Here's my take on these horrible photocopies: http://www.jon4lakers.com/2008/03/ipod-its-lifestyle-choice.html
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.
Apple shouldn't be patenting software for the iPhone. What this does is hinder fair competition on the Apple App Store when its available. What's to stop them from patenting a whole slew of other apps to the point where the only apps available are those made by Apple.
I guess this is how they are going to control what goes into the app store.
all that tech and it can't cut and paste ... Apple doesn't get it's users ... ever.
Ifat - buy an iphone
Would suck to drop one while jogging. Whoops, already did.
I'm guessing that Phil S. is NOT beta testing this particular feature.
Ok maybe this might a new model of iPod just made for athletes so this maybe the reason for Apple for putting the iPod nano on sale sorta of. But who knows with Apple.