Heart Rate Watch Company blog testers recently compared the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4S bike computer conversion technologies. The main difference is that newer models like the 4S are converting to Bluetooth 4.0 LE whereas older models used ANT+ and the Bluetooth is less expensive.
Bozeman, MT (PRWEB) June 01, 2012
iPhone 4S ultimate bike pack has only been out for a few months now so the Heart Rate Watch Company blog testers decided to compare it with preceding technology for iPhone 3GS and 4 since the whole industry has only existed for a little over 18 months.
"We started with iPhone technology and Wahoo Fitness out of Atlanta, Georgia from the very beginning after testing their products against all the initial offerings about 18 months ago," says Rusty Squire, President of the Heart Rate Watch Company. He adds, "This technology is advancing so fast with the advent of Bluetooth 4.0 LE and with the numbers of app developers that it is hard to keep up, but one thing is certain and that is that the role of portable appliances and smart phones is evolving."
Heart Rate Watch Company originally branded a iPhone Ultimate Bike Pack using a Wahoo case with an ANT+ dongle. ANT+ is an inter-device communication platform that has competed, up until now, with Bluetooth. "I honestly see everyone going Bluetooth 4.0 LE in the future for heart rate monitors, bike computers and iPhone fitness devices because the Bluetooth 4.0 LE does one thing well - it supports smartphone usage."
Probably the vast majority of all outdoor exercisers in the US bring their Smartphone along to the gym or to bike and run, so it would stand to reason that people would rather have just one appliance along for the ride as opposed to several. This is where Smartphone fitness jeopardizes the traditional industry standards. "My high school aged daughters have their iPhones with them 24/7/365 but neither of them wear watches, so I can see the writing on the wall," says Squire.
Indeed manufacturers like Wahoo began with the ANT+ standard but then as the next generation iPhone 4S and Motorola Razr evolved to Bluetooth 4.0 LE they quickly switched over seeing the advantages and developing a compatible chest strap. "A whole slew of Bluetooth 4.0 LE appliances will start coming out over the next year and then the flood gates will open," says Squire.
The Heart Rate Watch Company has already put together an updated iPhone 4S Ultimate Bike Pack that includes a less expensive bike case that requires no sensor dongle, a Blue HR Bluetooth 4.0 LE chest strap that lasts twice as long as a regular chest strap thanks to lower energy consumption, and an auxiliary battery for the iPhone. "Having an auxiliary battery for iPhone 4S is key because it only lasts about one hour and 45 minutes in GPS mode and then the iPhone battery is kaput," says Squire.
The complete blog review is available at the Heart Rate Watch Company blog for those that are interested in reading the complete comparison. The main advantages for the new Bluetooth 4.0 LE are lower overall cost and lower operating costs.
For the original version on PRWeb visit: www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/6/prweb9557316.htm
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