Jeff Bennett's Blog

The iPhone GPS functionality is opening up a whole new set of opportunities for applications that track location, speed, time and more.  The opportunities are powerful to enhance the life of runners, cyclists, hikers, boaters, walkers and so many more outdoor enthusiasts.

Last Summer I posted about Nike+ and Apple.  This is a great collaboration where Nike has created running shoes that track your activity with connectivity to the iPod.  The runner gets to run to their favorite tunes.  Nike+ and Apple are tracking pace, stats and all relevant info for the runner.  A connection to the web and then the runner can then share his/her latest run with their friends anywhere.  Compete with others.  One issue…Nike+ not compatible with iPhone 3G.

The iPhone with it’s GPS functionality is also opening up even more powerful capabilities for apps to help runners and more.  Runkeeper is a very cool app that I have recently been introduced to.  RunKeeper Free leverages the iPhone’s built-in GPS to track duration, distance, pace, speed, and more.   All this happens in real-time as you run. Along the way you can listen to music on your iPhone.  When you are done you tap Save Run and RunKeeper quickly uploads that data to it’s web site.

Runners, walkers, hikers, cyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts can track all your activities and get very specific information, such as how fast you were going at any particular point along the way. You also get to see your exact route on a map.

Runkeeper has also added integration with Facebook and Twitter so you can share your activites with your friends and followers on the most popular social networks…not just Nike+ users.

Check out the video on YouTube for a demo.