• WIN!!!

    Withings and MacTalk are teaming up to give away:

    1 x WiFi Body Scale, valued at $295
    1 x Blood Pressure Monitor valued at $179.


    Enter to win by telling us:

    If you were to develop a new cutting-edge iOS device, what product would you come up with?

    Post your answers in the comments field below. Competition closes on Sunday, November 13.
    The two most creative answers will win one prize each.

    Comments 46 Comments
    1. tcn33's Avatar
      tcn33 -
      A patch or bracelet that measures pulse, galvanic skin response etc to track exactly how many calories you burn each day.btw the Withings scale is awesome - if the blood pressure monitor is anywhere near as good, I'll happily take it off the winner's hands
    1. moldor's Avatar
      moldor -
      Something that is badly needed - an iOS Blood Sugar measurement Interface. Something that would work with a small LCD display when not connected to the device, but when connected would allow you to take readings on the iOS device, store those readings in a database, analyse for trends, etc. Coupled with GlucoseMeter, an online diabeties database and "diary".
    1. Pharaohsam's Avatar
      Pharaohsam -
      i'd make a car headunit that interfaces with the ios device and can control volume, windows, car locks and lights etc
    1. tobes11's Avatar
      tobes11 -
      I'd make the iBarTender it would be a voice controlled automated bar tender, obviously it would have a database of all the popular drinks and come with canisters similar to Nespresso shots that contain the alcoholic drinks. It would contain iPod functionality so you could rock out to the beats while having a good drink.And of course it could detect when you start slurring your speech and stop serving you booze. While also communicating with your iPhone and iPad to ensure that you don't do any late night drunken texting, status updating or email.
    1. pnau's Avatar
      pnau -
      My suggestion is wireless - cables suck. I really like the BP Cuff and think the glucometer idea from moldor was good but if you added them all together oh and included temperature and maybe SpO2 that would be awesome! It should handle a range of sensors that all feed into one database for a complete reading/history. You could call it umm a tricorder...
    1. Calnino's Avatar
      Calnino -
      Given the medical nature here - A handheld MRI scanner. Carrying around the battery to power it though could be a hassle!
    1. walden's Avatar
      walden -
      A small iOS unit that uses the same GPS signal data as the 'Find Your Phone' app on the iphone and ipad. The unit can be placed into vehicles and also given to small children to attach to their bags or clothes. This would dramatically reduce the rate of stolen cars, as they can be tracked simply. It would also be a way for parents to monitor young children's movements and reduce the worry of abduction. Although there would be some privacy concerns with this device, it could easily be a password protected opt-in system, with permission given to track family or equipment. I would think that the safety and reassurance would easily outweigh any worries. The unit could 'talk' directly to ipad/computer or internet, use a simplified 3G sim linked to your phone account, and you could map quickly where your car/ children/ wandering grandma/ lost dog/ guitar etc etc is.
    1. ajsnook's Avatar
      ajsnook -
      My suggesting would be a IOS app that connects to a Insulin pump to help diabetics manage their intake of food vs Insulin. Could take photo of food and estimate insulin dose or scan a bar code and give required doses.
    1. delux's Avatar
      delux -
      iOS Kitchen Scales. Once you have selected the food item you are weighing the app would show the weight of the food as well as how much calories/kilojoules are in that serving. It could take it further by showing carbs, protien etc. Conversions for cups/volume to mass would be great also. That way I could ask it how much a cup of rice weighs, and then I can measure out that mass.
    1. Steeley's Avatar
      Steeley -
      Something similar to a "flow toll" tag for your car that would be based around its GPS capabilities and Siri. It could:
      • Let cars interact with each other. For example, ensure cars always remain a safe distance from one another, let a driver know verbally (siri) when another car wants to change lanes.
      • Interact with road signs. The car could automatically slow down to the speed limit as you pass a speed limit sign. It could also work out optimal speed based on the flow of traffic...things like merging onto a freeway would work flawlessly.
      • Form a live traffic database, helping users find the fastest routes time-wise to their destination.
      • Siri could read you traffic reports on command; she'd know if there's an accident to avoid.
      • Easily send texts, tweets, initiate calls using the device.
      Noticing a lot of overlapping of ideas already...seems to me there's a want for certain things. Maybe we all watch too much sci-fi!?
    1. Silvansam's Avatar
      Silvansam -
      I would come up with a electric bicycle pump that you can plug in to your iPhone or iPod. I think it would be great because nowadays we carry our phone around all the time so if one day you get a flat tyre pull out your iPhone plug in the pump and there you have a electric pump.
    1. moto51's Avatar
      moto51 -
      I'd make a UHID (Unique Human Identification), it'd be a drivers licence, car key, shops would be able to store their loyalty cards in it and all you'd need is this little device, your master key and your phone + the app. No wallet, no keys, etc.To prevent identity theft, it'd have a master key so to speak where the owner would have this somewhere safe on their person, be it implanted or on a wrist band or something and if the device was to be separated from its owner by more than 2m it would deactivate it.It'd be one of those all in one things we've dreamt about for decades, come true. The funny thing is, now I can almost see technology being able to support it.It's difficult to explain, though i'm sure Steve Jobs could have explained it.
    1. TheKeddi's Avatar
      TheKeddi -
      I would like to see a thing like the blood pressure unit in every doctors office and you could transfer all of your readings to the doctors records via wifi. Something medical to do good. I am on a big diet, lost 21 kilos already and would LOVE the scales!!!!
    1. blogg's Avatar
      blogg -
      A Geo-reference Home Automation System:When your iOS device detects you approaching home (Geo-referencing) it links into the iOS Controlled Wireless Home Automation System and completes actions, such asTurns on the lightsOpens the Garage Doors / GatesUnlocks the DoorTurns on Heating Cooling etcOn the iPhone 4S, you can use Siri to control appliances, lights etc in the home.
    1. wokka59's Avatar
      wokka59 -
      I'd would like to see an iOS app that tells me when my girlfriend is in a bad mood. The app would automatically give me her exact location, plus a picture to see how annoyed she is. Armed with this valuable information I could decide how close I could get to her or in a "worst case scenario" to avoid her altogether.
    1. Mecha's Avatar
      Mecha -
      iOS controlled espresso machine.That way while I'm still in bed I can set it to start making me a perfect cuppa as soon as I get down.Or while I'm at work I can set it to be ready for when I'm home.And being iOS controlled I could change all the settings (type of coffee, strength etc) on the fly.
    1. LithgowLights's Avatar
      LithgowLights -
      I think the ideal iOS device is a bit of hardware and software melded together for the future. I want to start with my iPhone, and make it the only item I need to carry when I go out. It is my credit/debit card that uses NFC at sales points AND ATM's to allow me to buy things, but secured by both pin and maybe a thumb print or other secure means as well.It would contain my medicare card details, accessable securely by authorised medical practitioners and services, so in an accident situation the ambulance can immediately tell who I am and any special needs I have (diabetic, suffer from fits etc)I can use the iPhone for my licence as well, with the police being able to retrieve the information via Bluetooth to allow them to immediately verify who I am, complete with image on their system.I want to come home and have my door unlock and alarm deactivate when I approach, and put my house pin or word into the phone. I dont want this to be automatic as losing your phone would be akin to losing your keys with an address label attached - a bad thing to doAt home I want to control my entertainment system, my climate control, and maybe even the lights from the Phone - call it a universal remote on steroids.All of these can be done, in part, by the iOS devices we have today, but I'd like to see that expanded to a more universal setup with both easier to use, but still secure interfaces (including voice control). I'd also like to see the same level of control available for the iPhone, iPad, but also the ability to add devices with limited settings like you can on a network at home. My kids might be able to listen to music or watch tv in their rooms, but I can stop that when its time for dinner or bed etc.
    1. waLurker's Avatar
      waLurker -
      A breathalyser attachment for iPhone/iPod Touch - could come very much in handy... both for tossing up whether or not to drive, and having a keepsake for last night's bucks party (the app should record a graph of BAC over time).
    1. chuck981996's Avatar
      chuck981996 -
      A handheld document scanner that interfaces directly with iWork.
    1. TheStuBush's Avatar
      TheStuBush -
      A proper designed iWatch. A device that not only tells the time, weather, tv guide and allergy readings, but tells you what charge rates you have on all your iOS devices, which devices need Apps updates and where they are located within your house. It can also be used to store game data Ps3, Wii and xBox consoles. The watch would also have a barcode reader and QR code reader which can be used in supermarkets to check prices and redeem special offers.
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