Cycling in Melbourne Australia
Bike Challenge App
I had the sudden realisation the other evening that if I could see the cyclists around me, I'd have the push to go faster.
I was talking over this idea with others, and it evolved into a challenges phone app, where the user can see others around them using the same app, and issue challenges from point to point.
Is anyone out there interested in this idea? I want it to exist, now.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by SimonG on -
Apple are allegedly working on a cycle computer which talks to other units in the area and allows the comparison you're after. It was reported on in Road.cc here: http://road.cc/content/news/21092-apple-invent-bike-computer
Perhaps there is already an iPhone app which does the same?
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Permalink Reply by Carole Whitehead on -
Well, that puts a damper on my ideas of making an app!
I hope they'll do it soon, and do it well.
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Permalink Reply by Cory on -
Make it for Android.
A mate said yesterday that uptake of Android phones surpassed iPhones the other day.
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Permalink Reply by Carole Whitehead on
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I'd want it to work for both - and even perhaps have an internet section, where more options are available.
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Permalink Reply by Steve Jay on -
Apple patent hundreds of ideas every day but pick up on only those which have a serious market. The hardware component of this patent puts paid to anybody else doing this (although, I'd have to say this SCREAMS of prior art and patent trolling) but the software part, potentially only applies in the US. In the rest of the world, despite attempts by the US Government to treaty it into every country, software is inherently copyright, but not patentable.
What this means is you can create software apps which perform similar functions, but have different designs, and not be stepping on each others' toes.
The problem with Apple is they own the means to distribute iPhone apps, so the judgment call is theirs alone.
I say do a basic proof-of-concept app and see how you go. Study the patent application and see if you can do something similar to what you want to do, but different to Apple's patent. They say you're not allowed to duplicate Apple functionality on the iPhine, but look at all the value-added addressbook apps. You have a good idea, it's worth a punt if you can find the niche and design differences that won't piss off Apple's testers.
A social cycling app sounds like an awesome idea, in fact. I'd pay $10 for an app for that, seriously. What about a GPS cyclometer that detects cyclists going your way and _automatically_ issues challenges to those behind you on that route? (And you get challenges from others in front, too.) Have a look at the myriad of cycling apps and see what you can synthesise into a social challenge.
If you're looking for a low risk way to do it, try submitting it to MEDL software's App Incubator programme. Spend some time on the research and design before submitting. They're currently evaluating one of my suggestions as a serious possibility, and some of the ideas they've brought to life are really quite clever.
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Permalink Reply by Carole Whitehead on
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Now I've posted it, I'm sure someone else is already busy making it! :-p
The challenges part is more set over long periods of time, rather than just challenging right there and then. Example: Fastest speed from Bridge Road to Church Street. Then they'll be a table made up with the fastest recent, all time, etc. Challenges are made by people who use the app a lot, or you have to somehow earn the right to make them - perhaps after a certain amount of kilometres of riding, in history.
I think it'd go well - there are now so many cyclists in Melbourne, and I'm sure a lot of them are looking for a way to train and push themselves further, without having to join a club, or do early morning rides. If people could enjoy their morning and afternoon commutes, even, it'd make bike riding more fun.
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Permalink Reply by irideredthebike on
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So it would or could be an extension/formalisation of http://www.itsnotarace.org/.
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Permalink Reply by Carole Whitehead on
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YES!
Wow, I had no idea that existed.
What a wonderful site!
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Permalink Reply by Steve Jay on
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...and what's wrong with commuter racing? A cove's got to have something to break the boredom of the straightest route between home and work, while minimising the time travelling between home and work :-)
So long as one keeps in mind the other might not actually be racing, and so long as we all abide by the rules, it's still good motivation and adds another dimension to cycling fun. I've also met some really great people in a clock-off.
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