Samsung and Adidas announced miCoach, a mobile-based athletic training system, the companies announced yesterday.
The system centers around a Samsung mobile telephone, with integrated technologies such as an MP3 player, heart rate monitor and a stride sensor chip. The chip attaches to “all Adidas running footwear,” officials said. There is also a Website to help athletes design custom training programs.
Specifications of the phone itself include GSM/GPRS networking, a “slider” form factor, 2-inch QVGA screen, 2.0-megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth, an FM radio and 2.5 GB of memory. Software includes features related to health data and the ability to get text messages with workout updates every few minutes.
The hardware will be available in Europe this month, officials said. Availability for other regions has not yet been announced.
Design support began two years ago at the Athletes’’ Performance Institute based at Arizona State University.
