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Re:Show HN: Version 1.1 of our $99 hackable Bluetooth smartw... by jdietrich on Tuesday November 29, 2011 @01:03PM (#3291360)
I've said it before, I'll say it again - build one with ANT+ and I'll buy a dozen. I don't see any reason why I'd want an adjunct to my smartphone strapped to my wrist, but I can think of countless uses for a tiny device that can read and interpret sensor data via low-powered wireless. ANT+ is the killer app for the "smartwatch".
Re:Show HN: Version 1.1 of our $99 hackable Bluetooth smartw... by spaetzel on Tuesday November 29, 2011 @01:27PM (#3291481)
The Motorola Motoactv http://www.motoactv.com is an Android watch targeted to runners, so it has ANT+ as well as GPS and Bluetooth. Though it's much more expensive ($249), and doesn't have an open API. It pairs with Android phones and displays texts and lets you take calls with your headset.

That said, I have one, and use it for running and love it.

Re:Show HN: Version 1.1 of our $99 hackable Bluetooth smartw... by kiloaper on Tuesday November 29, 2011 @01:19PM (#3291431)
Is ANT+ popular in the US? I see companies like Nike promoting it, but I've never laid hands on a device supporting it (I'm in Europe).
Re:Show HN: Version 1.1 of our $99 hackable Bluetooth smartw... by jdietrich on Wednesday November 30, 2011 @05:11AM (#3294507)
It's huge in Europe and the US amongst cyclists and triathletes. All UCI ProTour teams use it, with the exception of the teams sponsored by Polar. A good ANT+ system can do some very clever things that provide substantial competitive advantage. Many triathletes use the iBike Aero system, which in conjunction with a force-sensing power meter will calculate coefficient of drag in real time.
Re:Show HN: Version 1.1 of our $99 hackable Bluetooth smartw... by jaxn on Tuesday November 29, 2011 @01:33PM (#3291517)
I see it in finiteness devices. It allows you to integrate things like heart rate monitors and cadence sensors on bicycles or running shoes with watches and smartphones.

Once a device has ANT+, it is the logical tool for data transfer as well, so devices like Garmin watches come with an ANT+ USB dongle to integrate with your computer.

Re:Show HN: Version 1.1 of our $99 hackable Bluetooth smartw... by jrockway on Tuesday November 29, 2011 @05:13PM (#3292485)
But to be fair, ANT+ data transfer is super fucking flaky. I would say that I get my running data off my Forerunner about 50% of the time when the watch is physically touching the USB dongle and 0% of the time when it's not.

And, nothing ANT+ seems to work under Linux. So let's skip this for a while and stick to Bluetooth or USB; it works better and works everywhere. You have to plug in your watch to charge it anyway.

Re:Show HN: Version 1.1 of our $99 hackable Bluetooth smartw... by larsanders on Tuesday November 29, 2011 @09:17PM (#3293346)
Most of Sony Ericsson's Xperia line support ANT+, and I use it with a Garmin heart rate monitor transmitter.

http://www.thisisant.com/pages/developer-zone/android-api

Re:Show HN: Version 1.1 of our $99 hackable Bluetooth smartw... by chrisdroukas on Tuesday November 29, 2011 @01:30PM (#3291505)
It's catching on in certain markets. Garmin has been dropping it into a lot of its cycling gear.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=160