If I was mad enough to write a cycling app from scratch...

[marknotgeorge]

... what features would I need?

It's like this. A few weeks ago I filled out a survey from Nokia about developing for Windows Phone. I'd previously written an app for my Symbian phone, which for something I wrote purely for my needs did fairly well - sticking it in the store for a quid bought me a camera and a cheap Android tablet. After the survey, I got a phonecall from a chap at Nokia, telling me about some developer incentives, one of which included a test device if I developed an app before the end of November. I originally thought that I would get the device after November, but it's in my sweaty palm right now - they sent it out, and I can keep it if I get the app in the store. And rather nice it is too - no cheap thing, it's a Lumia 925, all sleek and sexy in silver and white, with a PureView camera and bright, sharp screen.

The app I'm writing to keep it is already in the pipeline. It's the next one I'm thinking of - a cycle computer app. Yeah, yeah, I should get a Garmin. But that's boring, and costs money. This just costs time, and is mentally stimulating.

Here's some ideas of what it needs to do:

• Allow recording of rides, with as many data points as possible - location, speed, cadence, elevation, etc - using the built-in GPS and other sensors such as BT LE which is coming soon, apparently.
• GPX file support for (for example) exporting rides and importing routes. Possibly export direct to such things as Strava would be nice too.
• A map display which displays the ride and the route - possibly a ghost rider too - as well as ride data: time, speed, etcetera, which can be customised.
• Integration with social media is a nice to have.

Any more ideas, apart from going and lying in a darkened room with soft walls?

 

[Booyaa]

Perhaps see and list what each of the other devices/apps in the market have and then make sure your one has all of them and can link to Strava and Endomondo and other tracking sites. That way it will have everything needed in one app and link to peoples existing accounts.

 

[TVC]

A link to a rain radar app so you could see if you are riding toward a shower

 

[marknotgeorge]

[QUOTE 2773660, member: 45"]What would be your hook to mark it out from the apps currently available that do this?[/quote]

I wrote it, so it's bound to be brilliant.

Seriously, there's not much about for Windows Phone, and nothing with input from extra sensors. This is mainly because OS support for ANT+ or BT 4.0 isn't there yet, although Nokia Lumias have the hardware for BT 4.0, and software support is coming. Having said that, this is not so much a plan to make stacks of cash, but a hobby. I do this for fun (yeah, I should get out more...)

 

[colly]

It's probably because I'm an old fogey.

Surely not !

 

[vernon]

A link to a rain radar app so you could see if you are riding toward a shower

That's preferable to riding towards a bath.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

maybe a poi listing facility with campsites

 

[marknotgeorge]

A link to a rain radar app so you could see if you are riding toward a shower

You know, this is more possible than you might think. The Met Office have a web service that allows one to link to rain radar images to overlay on a map. Hmmm...

 

[Fnaar]

Bike Apps (and mobies in general) will REALLY come into their own once we have cracked the battery-life conundrum, and invented totally foolproof and waterproof ways of attaching them to your handlebars.
I can get 6-7 hours out of Strava, and still have 40% battery or so left, but I DON'T use anything requiring me to keep the screen on (battery would go much quicker). I'd deffo use it as a 'current location' map/GPS if battery life was days instead of hours, and I had a trustworthy way of attaching it to bike (not wanting suggestions here, I've prob'ly tried most of them).

 

[TVC]

You know, this is more possible than you might think. The Met Office have a web service that allows one to link to rain radar images to overlay on a map. Hmmm...

I'll take 5% thanks

 

[CopperCyclist]

I use Strava, and I have used others. So far what they the have all lacked was a good bit of software within the the app that can analyse ALL my rides. Sure they all give details stats on one single ride, but what if I want to know how far I've ridden each month this year? Or my average speed for the last six months? My highest ever asked? My best time over a particular route? I'd love detailed explorative features like these in a cycling app - most of them exist in the online website that the apps are linked to, but not the app itself...

 

[Archie_tect]

That's preferable to riding towards a bath.

...unless it has Radox in it.

 

[Chris Norton]

I use Strava, and I have used others. So far what they the have all lacked was a good bit of software within the the app that can analyse ALL my rides. Sure they all give details stats on one single ride, but what if I want to know how far I've ridden each month this year? Or my average speed for the last six months? My highest ever asked? My best time over a particular route? I'd love detailed explorative features like these in a cycling app - most of them exist in the online website that the apps are linked to, but not the app itself...

Have you tried ipbike?

 

[Risex4]

Whilst I possess nothing like a specialist knowledge in this field, I've often thought that there is a potentially large gap in the market for a more socially integrated cycling app which could probably sustain a moderate level of business.

You'd have the core free app which be much in the same vein as Strava, MMR et al; mapping rides, segments, times, gpx support, pretty much all of the features you'd expect.

The growth would come from the social features which - segment leaderboards and facebook/twitter updates aside - the current crop seem to be lacking.

The app I've pondered would have scope for user generated/modified content. Someone mentioned POIs and campsites, thats the kind of thing. Where's the nearest bike shop(s) because I didn't bring enough spare tubes? Where's the nearest cafe? More importantly, how good are they? Allowing the app users to rate cycling-interest amenities would elevate the social dimension - oh theres a cafe down the road, but look its only 1 star and the feedback says theres nowhere to lock the bike up/the owner doesn't really welcome cyclists. Hang on, another half mile on theres a 3-4 star one which several people have commented is very bike friendly. Or "ok, Im in a strange town I need some repairs done on-the-fly, which is the best rated LBS"?

You could also open up user created rout suggestions, from A - B with information and ratings on difficulty, traffic problems, scenery, or whatever. Great for cycling tourists or locals who maybe want to try something that their habitual route.

Tie it into an established internet community not unlike CC so discussions can be continued off the bike and then both will grow, people would find the app, and come onto the website or visa-versa, and learn to trust its opinions (in theory).

You can then look at pulling in some money from increased advertising on the website/in-app, paid for app downloads for POIs or routes or whatever, sponsored POIs, in app repair manuals...

Thats a bit of a mangled ramble, but I think you get the idea.

 

[Dangermouse]

Cant you also write something good for Android too.........like strava that doesn't cost 39 quid a year.......I would buy something as good but at the normal cost of a couple of quid for a good app, but not nearly 40 quid