It looks like Apple is working on a new project. If nothing else, we know they are thinking about it due to a patent that was published today. So what’s the new project? Some type of bicycle computer. There are of course bicycle computer products on the market today, but with some exceptions they’re pretty limited. Knowing Apple, it’s safe to say that if they are getting into the bike computer market, they’re going to do it right.
Based on the information in the patent application, Apple plans to release a full-featured product with GPS routing, mapping, gear settings, communication between multiple riders, and possible integration with other devices like heart monitors.
The real question is, will this be a completely new device, or is Apple going to create something that integrates with the iPhone or iPod Touch, that perhaps mounts into a cradle on the handlebars for example. The patent application discusses the possibility of adding sensors to the user’s bicycle in order to track altitude, incline, distance, and all those other little details that cyclists love to track. Of course, this is just a patent application so we don’t have any real details like availability or cost at this time.
[Patently Apple via Mac Rumors]