REI iPhone App
Tomorrow is Bike to Work Day so I thought I would write about a new app.
I downloaded the new REI app onto my iPhone a few days ago and took my road bike out for a spin. It’s called Bike Your Drive by REI. The brand is selling this as an app that will record your miles, the carbon you save, calories burned and some other stuff. It encourages you to ride your bike to work and then shows you the pay-off.
Well, for me it worked. Liked it a lot. The UI is pretty simple and easy to use. Here’s what my ride recorded:
The GPS picked up my starting point and immediately started recording and tracking my progress as the wheels started to roll.
I saved 7.5 kilograms of carbon on this ride which equates to about 16.5 pounds. Man, that is startling. Now true most people aren’t riding their bike to work and having it take over an hour…on the other hand, imagine riding your bike to work every single day for 5 miles. The carbon-loading would really be diminished.
I would have also saved about 2 bucks in gas, which also would add up.
My only complaint about the program is that when you receive a phone call, while riding, it doesn’t automatically default back to the user interface panel after the call is over. You have to retrieve the program again and then hit resume. Now I might have done this part wrong but I don’t think so.
Another thing, and I’ve written about this before. Why, wouldn’t REI show you the location of the nearest store? Put a button in there to press and when I want to buy bike parts, clothing, anything..there is the nearest store.
Thousands of daily bike commuters are in Seattle, Denver, Salt Lake and many other cities. It would be good to know how close you are to REI while riding to or from work.
REI, you’ve provided this application for free and its a very good idea. My applause. Now, please tie-this back to selling merchandise. Offer store locations. Encourage these commuters to visit your store. We won’t mind.
We want you to continue to prosper so you can do more of this.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:05 am
[...] In fact, making an application commercial could hinder its popularity. But I came across a Bike Your Ride user who loves the application, but wishes it was a little more commercial: Why wouldn’t REI show you [...]
July 10th, 2009 at 7:41 am
Thanks for the comment, Mobile Applications. To me the problem continues to be free access and use of an application without some kind of return on investment. At some point all of the free applications and free access to social platforms will disappear, and in a hurry, if there is no return. At the moment the corporate thinking, it seems, is that branded apps help drive recognition and position the brand as a supporter of the environment and the sport. Soon, branded apps will be measured against sales performance. That’s business. And if apps don’t move the needle, the “free” part will be gone.
July 21st, 2009 at 1:58 am
[...] In fact, making an application commercial could hinder its popularity. But I came across a Bike Your Ride user who loves the application, but wishes it was a little more commercial: Why wouldn’t REI show you [...]
July 31st, 2009 at 2:50 am
[...] In fact, making an application commercial could hinder its popularity. But I came across a Bike Your Ride user who loves the application, but wishes it was a little more commercial: Why wouldn’t REI show you [...]
February 13th, 2010 at 7:10 am
Maybe you can help me! I am looking to purchase a motorcycle for my boy and i simpy dont know what type of bike i should be going for? I mean when i got my motorcycle i knew precisely what i wanted for a ver long time, but he is unsure what he wants? Is there maybe a good way to discover whats best?
February 15th, 2010 at 11:58 am
Sorry m Perales, I was writing about bicycles, not motorcycles. Can’t help you here.
May 14th, 2010 at 3:39 am
I have never thought about it this way.