Sportsim Weblog

Launch of Mobile Locater

After months with testing Sportsim launches the first beta version of the Mobile Locater. The idea behind the Mobile Locater is to transform your cell phone into an on-line tracking device.  Friends and family can then follow your map projected movements on a web page. More information will follow...

Apple takes the mobile/GPS plunge

The coming iPhone from Apple has been a known word on the streets.  In addition to music and cell phone features it will also (of course!) include a GPS functionality.  Read more about the newly filed patent at ZDNet.

New GPS Chip Set Technology

Athletes are in for a ball as more energy is directed to develop new and better GPS Chip Set Architecture to reduce power consumption and body size.  Rakon from New Zealand has now announced the smallest ever GPS chip set (Thanks to Engadget).

It appear to be somewhat smaller in size than the successful SiRFstarIII (10mm x 7mm x 1,4mm) chip set.  We do however lack any performance values for the new Rakon GPS, but we may have some during this year as new products could be launched.

gpsOne from cellular technology provider Qualcomm Inc. is an older, but also a very interesting development.

Moore's Law is at the moment valid for GPS Chip Sets, and combined with improved power technology and antenna architecture will GPS devices soon be almost as common as your pair of running snickers!  What's next?

What about a sport GPS with online capabilities?

Every week we receive new request for live tracking of sport events and for training purposes.  We have conducted some live beta testing this summer, but a returning problem is to find suitable hardware.

Now with Google Maps, Virtual Earth and Yahoo Maps open API's available it’s possible to make nice combined solutions to replay GPS tracks on maps on a web site.

OK, but what about cell phones?

Sure, maybe in 2-3 years? Until then will cell phone location based services just be that – location based with services.  I mean - we want to know where we are, request information about local facilities, and get directions from A to B on maps, and we want it on the fly. This is the focal point for cellphone vendors since it provide important content for the operators.

All very well, but this does not make them suitable for activity monitoring and tracking for sports.

OK, this is what we want:

An athlete GPS watch with GPRS (2,5 G) tranfer capabilities.

Capabilities (short list):

-         GPS watch with display for time, speed, distance, and heart rate

-         suitable for all kind of weather conditions

-         transmit position data every 5 sec

-         sufficient battery capacity and memory backup

It’s possible to manufacture such a device with today’s new GPS chip set technology and if the price is right it’s also an interesting market out there.

Sportsim and others will provide suitable applications for it - thats our job.

So, what can we use it for?

-         live racing -  follow race on web site or big screen

-         family tracking while training – security

-         all data online when finished training session – no more cable transfers, analyze your training when you want - it's already stored and online available!

Have nice weekend J

Gjermund